Indian Premier League Cricket

On 17, 2008, Sachin, the longtime opening partner of Saurav Ganguly, eclipsed Brian Lara’s record score of 11,953 runs made in 232 innings. On this day Sachin surpassed Lara’s score when he made 12,027 runs in 247 innings and he also become the only batsman to cross12, 000 runs in Cricket History. It is a landmark in history of cricket.

An hour later, Ganguly Dada created another record. He compiled 7,000 test runs on playing 111 test in 12-year. Ganguly is the 33rd batsman in world cricket to cross the 7,000-run mark in Tests. He also made a hundred which is his sixteenth test century. When he compiled 7000 runs he becomes the fourth Indian batsman to achieve this land mark. The other three Indian batsmen are Sachin, Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid. His landmark record could be attributed to the national cricket selection committee Chairman, Krishnamachari Srikkanth who was instrumental in selecting Saurav to play against Australia, after all hopes of his playing in any of the National or International events was looked remore.

The word ‘Dada’ has three known meaning. In Bengali it means elder bother, in Hindi it is paternal grandfather and at knukads & friend circle it means a gang leader. He is definitely not called as ‘Dada’ to mean paternal grandfather or gang leader. He is being Bangali, he may be called as ‘dada’ to mean elder brother. But why Shahruk Khan, the famous Bollywood star and owner of IPL Franchise team, Kakota Night Riders calls him with special smile as ‘Dada’ (Daadaa)! Does he addresses him as ’dada’ for his attitude? Shahruk Khan alone can answer this question.

When Sachin surpassed Lara’s record, Saurav rushed to Sachin to congratulate. Same day when Sourav created his personal record, MS Dhoni ran out to congratulate him. It may be interesting to note that both Sourav and Dhoni were school team football goalkeepers. Their first love was football not cricket. Sourav was inspired to opt for cricket by his Brother Snehasish who was an accomplished West Bengal Ranji player and MS Dhoni was inducted into cricket by his school coach. The person who helps disappears from scene while a person who gets help outshines. In case of Sourav, his brother who was an established West Bengal Ranji player and who has encouraged Sourav to take cricket as his career. Subsequently Sourav’s brother lost his place in Ranji for Sourav based on his performance. Life is like that!

Human life is strange. When the life peaks or dips, no body can predict how things will go. It is also true in case of Sourav’s cricket career. Sourav cricket career is not smooth. It fluctuated quite often. The latest adverse effect was his omission from the Sri Lanka Series, Rest of India Match 2nd Irani Trophy 2008.

Sourav was dropped by national cricket selection committee headed by Vengsarkar without attributing any reason. The new national cricket selection committee Chairman, Krishnamachari Srikkanth has selected him to play against Australia.

Sourav is good fighter. He never accepts defeat without a good fight. It is one of his attitudes. On his non-selection, he immediately called his coach from Kerala and started practicing to show his worth. On his selection to play against Australia, he has shown worth by scoring hundred plus runs and he showed that he is the Dada of Himself and cricket. His contribution has consolidated his team position.

Though Sourav has declared his retirement after the Australia series but time only will tell if he really retires.

The Other attitude of Dada Sourav is his will power to achieve what he desires. Right from his childhood, if he decides to achieve some thing he has achieved it. His brother Snehashish was five years elder to him and was a gifted left handed batsman. Though Saurav is a natural right hander, he learned to bat with his left hand from his brother. The reason being he wanted to use his brother’s cricket gears. Sourav does everything else, including writing and bowling with his right hand.

He is an achiever. It is long story to narrate but tell in short he has systematically manipulated and married his childhood sweetheart, Dona Roy against the wishes of his parents. Now this is a non issue in his family.

Saurav, though will not be playing after the Australian Series. He has already announced his retirement. Our best wishes are always with DADA – A true leader, a true champion and a true achiever.