Diary Facts

This is not going to be a big post because it is Dada!  If I have to write, I will end up writing a book on how this guy has an impact on me. There are so many great moments he has given me that If go in deep, There will be no end because more than memories it was the feel.  When Dhoni taught me how to rule, It was Dada for me who taught how to lead. Though Dhoni's Indian team did win more, the basement for the rise of the team was set under him.  Again, I watched Dhoni when I actually knew more about the game but It was Dada who taught me what the game was.  I might be like three years old, I was that kid who never used to go to school if I didn't hit two or three balls. My mother used to bowl to me with that sponge ball and with a small bat I used to play indoor cricket.  I went to school in rickshaw those days, and the rickshaw uncle would wait for me till I hit. It was the time when Sachin and Dada used to open for India....

Growing up watching India play, I remember how the team lacked a perfect wicket keeper who can hit the ball hard and also can bat through with the tail enders.  I always wanted a keeper more like my favourite-Gilchrist. 2004, a year after the hefty loss against the mighty Australian team in the World Cup finals.  The team was forced to free Dravid from the wicket keeping position so that he could concentrate more on his batting without pressure.  There was a huge void in the team as the two other keepers-Dinesh Karthik(DK) and Parthiv Patel lacked consistency in the ODIs. Though they continued to keep wickets for the test matches.  Way back-in 2004, I don't remember the exact date. When I was looking through the newspaper, I saw a new name in the squad for the tour of Bangladesh. Being an ardent fan of Tamil Nadu boy DK, I was like "yaara ivan, Dhoni?"  Thanks to his India-A performances which caught the eye of Captain Dada and t...