Not always you outsmart with your guile or probably....can u??

    This is my first post related to cricket.The game which every Indian is obsessed with.

    Yesterday, I was going through some websites to order some novels. There i saw an add saying "Do u think you are smart enough...Click here".Obviously, I knew it was a spam link.Considering my poor history ( had to format my system for clicking on a spam link), I warned myself not to move the cursor anywhere near it.As per human psychology, u think more about the things you don't want to do.I was no exception.Soon, my mind went back to think deep about "The smartest person". My mind flashed a name.I dint have a clue about how that name came up.My answer was Anil Kumble. Yeah..I typed it right.The Indian bowling great was my response.

             By the time i started watching cricket he has already taken 10 wickets in an innings.Right from Day One he was a star for me.Later when I saw Shane Warne bowl, I was confused about the way Leg spin was perceived.

Kumble's ball never turned beyond 10 degrees(I am being conservative with this figure). But still, he picked wickets at ease. Batsmen were always troubled by him.Through out the decade, he provided the break through when India needed it most.He was the spear head of our attack.His repertoire wasn't huge.But he still used length & bounce and varied it effectively enough to outsmart the batsman.But...he did for 18 long years!!! He did that through out his carrier.He did that every time he came out to ball.Did no batsman ever find it??Or was he clever enough to outsmart them too.He had something more.His work ethic was supported by a brave warrior attitude.The world had a glimpse of it when he came out to bowl against West Indies with a broken jaw.

    That day is still clear in my head.That match had come during my summer vacation.Usually 10 was my bed time but that day I decided to watch that day's play(night in India) along with my Cousin(I was too scared to be awake alone at night time...My cousin was way elder than me...Now he has a 3 year old kid). India started off well with good overnight score and placed a huge first innings total.Kumble got his jaw broken in that innings when Mervon Dillon bowled an awesome Bouncer.Just when WI started their batting my cousin fell asleep(He made sure I wasn't scared of being awake for some more time).Just when the Hosts batting was looking good to pile up a good score, I lost my interest.I was about to sleep.Then something strange happened.Anil Kumble came out to bowl with a bandage around his Head and Chin.I watched eagerly.I knew something was about to happen.Just then Kumble got Lara.That was a clear LBW.I nearly shouted out of joy (But still no one woke up).That was an amazing sight to watch in a LIVE match.That was a courageous display of sportsmanship.That was something which would be immortal in every Indian's heart.Next day, when my cousin inquired about the wicket...I explained it to him with lot of cheer, the elated me was in full swing( :) ).Then I read an Interview in which Kumble quoted something like "I knew I had to get a surgery done.It would do no harm if i went to bowl...as I did not have the option to opt out of surgery.Most important part was...My Team needed my services.I had to deliver".That was Heroic.Sir Viv Richards acknowledged it as one of the bravest things he'd seen on the field of play.

    That Day I felt proud.I saw something which would not happen often.At the same time,I felt inspired.

         By the time my mind was back in reality, it had traveled a lot.The only thing which struck my head was "Not always you outsmart with your guile or probably...can u??" :)