Nuwan Kulasekara was about to bowl and Dhoni was on strike.I was sitting on the floor almost 10 inch away from the TV.(It was when Virat Kohli got out I thought, its the time to change my place and from the chair I jumped onto floor.Then a great partnership between Dhoni and Gambhir, I didn't move from my place) .The whole day's effort to make my team victorious was about to finish. Dhoni took his stance and next 20 sec was just magic , an experience I wont be able to explain to my grand children even though if my mind is in perfect condition at that time.
Yes, Cricket has been most fascinating thing in the world which I have seen, experienced and the fun which I have extracted from it is unbelievable.One of the sport which is such an integral part of most of the Indians.Even I am not different from any of them (a true Indian).
It was 1996 world cup when I started getting some lessons of cricket viewing from my father. Ohh... that is called sixer... ohh...this is called four...that guy without any job stands whole day in the field and people shout at him simply and he nods his head or raises his fingers is known as Umpire and so on. To be frank the Venki - Sohail spat in the quarter final at Chinnaswamy stadium, added some ghee to my interest in the cricket. Even though Kambli's tears had some negative effect, my cricket viewing career was on rise.
Life went on and cricket was with me always in my happy times and also during testing times.I would forget every single thing in the world while watching cricket. Especially if my heroes like Rahul Dravid ,Sachin, Jacques Kallis ,Michael Bevan , Glenn Mcgrath , Shane Warne ,Wasim Akram latest additions Dale Steyn ,Kevin Pietersen,AB Devilliers and Chris Gayle are playing.It was and is kind of a emotional attachment with this game I have.
Certain cricketing moments which i would like to list down which has either given goosebumps or made me feel to be proud as Indian.
> As i already mentioned Aamir Sohail and Venkatesh Prasad spat in Bangalore was the most precious moment of my life.
>Laxman and Dravid Batting whole day in Kolkata test match after following on, an experience i can never forget.
>Anil Kumble's 10 wicket hall in Firoz shah kotla was maginificient.
>Sourav Ganguly's Dance at Lords after removing the jersey.
>Sachin's attack to Shoaib Akthar in 2003 world cup.
>Sehwag hitting a six to Saqlain MushtaQ to Complete his Triple.
>Sachins Double Hundred against mighty Proteas.
>Yuvraj Singhs Six Sixer's at Durban.
>Dhoni hitting a six of Nuwan Kulasekara in 2011 world cup(already mentioned).
and list goes on and still going on and I hope it will continue.
As a Cricket Fan I like all formats of the game , more though Test Cricket where I feel the exact ability of a cricketer is tested. ODI's certainly requires some more innovations, as T20 has certainly taken over as the Entertainment Product.I hope that all formats survive with their own uniqueness and keep us entertaining.
Cricket Rocks!!!!!!!!
Regards,
Gururaj M J
