ADIOS- RICKY THOMAS PONTING (PUNTER)

                               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!!!