Tuesday 31 March 2009

Why Gambhir is entitled to his first shaving set


Every stripling goes through this mirror-gazing, the universal juvenile desperation to come of age. And finally the D-Day arrives. With the tangibility of the shadow above the lip qualifying for a full-fledged moustache, the teen stakes his legitimate claim to his first shaving kit, the official recognition of a boy becoming man.

Nearly 11 hours spread over three days, defying the slur of a follow on, a shoal of piranhas floating around his blade and a pack of pacers taking turns to hurl unrelenting hostility.

Most saw him grinding down the Kiwis but few noticed his simultaneous battle within, to curb his instinct, a far tougher opponent to deal with. And in the end, he won both the battles, against his aptitude and adversary.

Considering how he experienced suffering and self- mortification, Gambhir was more Gautama than Gautam in Napier.

Of course one can disagree and point out that while Gautama attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bihar, Gautam’s came in an anti-podian McLean Park.

International cricket is a way too demanding business. But once he is through with the hustle and bustle, Gambhir would have time at his disposal to indulge in nostalgia. And when he skims through his immensely colourful catalogue of knocks – and he would have played quite a few of them in all formats– he would be captivated by the sheer black-and-white magic of this 137 in Napier.

10 comments:

straight point said...

the boy turned man indeed deserve his shaving kit...

one of the reasons that india is doing well at home as well as overseas is that our opening has been consistent...at least one of them goes on to pay a valuable knock...and they are complementing each other like never before...

sometimes in the maze of breath taking stroke play of sehwag we tend to overlook his contributions which are as important if not equal...and this innings will finally make him stand from the over powering shadow of sehwag...

Som said...

SP, only if you could hammer some of Gambhir's maturity to Yuvraj, the Peter Pan of Indian cricket who just refuses to grow up.

Gaurav Sethi said...

Som, delhi aside, don't think i've felt happier for an Indian cricketer in a long time.

this kid rocks

Som said...

NC, what a knock! I think GG was inspiration behind Dravid's rejection of the natural-game theory.

scorpicity said...

One fine piece of art... that guy. No sign of any dip in his run making ability despite being a bit scratchy.

This innings truly announces his arrival.

Ankit Poddar said...

with him being branded the second wall, wouldn't it be befitting that RD gift him the gillete kit, which he endorses, after all, isn't it the best a man can get

Som said...

Scorpicity, let's hope he is here to stay. By the way, do you think Indian cricket is getting compartmentalized with one more one springing up?

Som said...

Ankit, splendid! This angle simply gave me a slip! Indeed, who better than Wall I to recognise Wall II? And even the gift comes free!

Soulberry said...

Ah, he does deserve that new kit, does that lad Gambhir! It was a popcorn moment for his cricketing intellect - it burst out of the juvenile coat, which bcomes one of mediocrity when it lingers.

Som said...

SB, as Dhoni says in that advt -- "It's time to move on...aur bolo." Gambhir has moved on, while Yuvraj not.