If you are a
cricket aficionado born during the 90’s, then the year 2012 is not the one you
would have ever wanted to witness. Being a passionate cricket follower it is
really a gargantuan task to digest the fact that most of the cricketing legends
that made your childhood memorable and a historic one are calling it quits in a
flurry. First it was Rahul Wall Dravid, then Very Very Special Laxman and now in
the list comes in the Aussie “Ricky
Thomas Ponting” fondly called “punter”
by the fellow Aussie’s. Apart from Sachin and Lara, Ricky perfectly fits in
the spot as the third best batsman in the world and he is a legend undoubtedly
when it comes to the modern day cricket. He should probably make it in to the
list only next to Shahid Afridi when it comes to the most hated cricketers by
the Indians; those are just because we had been man slaughtered by ponting many
a times, special mention not to forget the WC 2003 final. He plays for the
Tasmanian tigers and the Hobart Hurricanes in the domestic level apart from
playing for the National Australian side.
The Punter- A Perfect
Hunter:
Yes he was cranky;
yes he wasn’t genuine many a times while edging it to the keepers or the slips,
yes he was arrogant in nudging sharad Pawar out of the Dias; yes he was known
for his impertinent nature; yes he was delusive while clasping many catches.
Yes he was savagely violent or brutal against India. But these above mentioned
traits may not depict a person as a good human but who cares? His duty was just
to serve cricket Australia and not us! His duty was just to entertain the
cricket fans all over the world as a classy, elegant cricketer and he has done
that immaculately to perfection. A man who has been a part of a humungous 108
test victories of the entire 167 tests he has played till now is no joke. As a
captain he has lead his team to a whooping 48 test victories out of the 77
tests which no captain has ever achieved.
The 257 he scored
against India brings in nightmare even now when he comes to bat against us. I
never meant to say he is a flawless cricketer, as every other human and as a
cricketer he too has had lean patches in his career. The cricket Australia has
dropped a player of such a caliber many a times during the period of his lean
patch and he has fought it very hard to get back to the national side. The
phenomenal feat is that Ponting has been a part of the WC winning Australian
Side for three consecutive times 1999,
2003, and 2007.
Ricky Ponting is
not just a superb batsman; he is a “live
wire” when it comes to fielding as well. Can never forget all those
brilliant catches and those fabulous saves he has to his credits. The Pull
Shots and the hooks were redefined by him in the cricketing dictionary; His
Graphite coated Kookaburra’s Gentle front foot push has never fetched him
anything less than a boundary. The ease and the facile manner at which he plays
those toughest shots are just mind blowing. Having been grown closely watching
him play with the yellow jersey numbered “14”
and the baggy Green Cap with the white gears, I will definitely be needing some
more time along with the Australians to make my heart and brain accept that he
won’t be playing anymore.
The Yellow
Australian jersey, numbered “14” will
be badly missed from now on. The one down position for the mighty Aussies will
be a back breaker to fill in. Its goanna be tough for the Aussies to prevent
the run leakage in the forward shot leg,
covers and the slip positions. The elegant push and the classy pull along
with the flamboyant hook will now be into the history books. Ricky Thomas Ponting -thanks a lot for
entertaining us all these years with such a terrific cricketing display, you
and your attitude towards the game of cricket will be missed. Wishing you all
success with the Tasmanian tigers and the Hobart hurricanes. Eagerly waiting to
see you as a cricketing coach. Farewell Ricky!!!
