Return of the Tiger !

What could make me more happy, i cant really think of many. The way Dada performed over the last one year has made everyone sit up and take notice, and probably say "What is he doing different now, and what did he not do earlier?". It was horrific to see him get out to Afridi in the manner he did, when Pakistanis toured India last time. He looked like getting out every ball. Situations maketh the man, and how the tables have turned now ! Fantastic, he scored runs against a good pace attack in SA, was the top scorer there, went to England and played couple of brilliant knocks, i would recollect the 50 odd he scored in the last Test match, almost a run a ball knock that gave goose pimples to many watching. Need one say how he played against Pakistan? A critic might say "Ha, those are docile Indian pitches, nothing to rave about". But, its not easy to score in these low slow wickets either, and the way he timed the ball was a treat to watch, the ball left the bat, as if a vanilla ice cream was melting down one's throat !! Excuse me for that comic analogy, thought of having some humor here.

Am really pleased i should say. I chanced to meet him at Bangalore Airport, with his wife and daughter Sana, even though i had a camera phone, i did not take any pictures of him. I was fortunate to spend more than 20 minutes with him as we waited for his baggage to arrive. He was all smiles and thoughts, when i told him few knocks that even he had forgotten. It was in 1997 i guess, a unofficial tournament held in Hyderabad, Kris Srikkanth was the coach, temporary i guess. Few one dayers were held and he flayed Pakistani attack like i have never seen anyone do before. Am sure Aquib Javed would remember that !!

At the same time, i don't think he has done justice to the talent he has in the 5 day format of the game. A modest average of 43 in 99 Tests is not much, when you compare to Rahul and Sachin, who are widely and rightly regarded as "great players". It was hovering around 55 when he started the career and he ensured it dropped to 40 odd by the time he finished 80 odd tests. Fortunately, his form helped him shore those numbers up over the last 10 tests. I hope he inches towards 50, however improbable that sounds, even to the unabashed optimist.

I hope he continues to do well in Australia, one does not need a better occasion than to play at MCG, Melbourne.

Congrats Sourav. You promised to meet me when you come to Bangalore, but i guess you were too busy. i would hope to meet you sometime again.

Cheers and Good luck.