KKR or Sharukh or Sourav?

- “KKR is back”
- “KKR has shown the critics what they are capable of”
- “The new Jersey brought KKR’s luck back”
- “Wasim Akram still rules the world”
- “We can do it without McCullam and Gayle”
I am sorry, I don’t agree with any of the statements above which are floating around. Kolkata Knight Riders just won the inaugurating match against Deccan Chargers. It’s just a single win nothing more than that. I can understand every small feelings of each KKR fan. I know how the IPL went bad last two years for KKR, especially last year. They might have every reason to jump into joys and conclude KKR is the best after defeating the defending champions. But logically speaking this win doesn’t prove the above statements.
But this win proves some other things. It’s not about KKR, it’s not about Sharukh Khan, neither about John Buchanan. It’s all about Dada, the prince of Kolkata, The Bengal Tiger, SOURAV GANGULY. I believe this win is entirely goes to Sourav Ganguly’s credit. Technically speaking what special thing was he having in his team. Four overseas players, one rejected from South African national team, one rejected from English national team and rejected from Delhi Daredevils, one who never really made it to Australian national team his permanent position and one who is part of Sri Lankan national team, but yet to get some international recognition. If you look at the domestic players also it would be hard to find any renowned national level player other than Chiteshwar Pujara. Still they able pulled off the victory. In T20 cricket, no one is favorite, so when the match started I don’t believe Deccan Chargers was having any edge over KKR. But yes from confidence point of view they were way ahead of KKR. When some controversies follow you, it is very difficult to get rid of it. But it was Sourav Ganguly, the king of comeback; even Wisden stopped calculating how many times actually he made his successful comeback. KKR didn’t play like champions. They lost 4 quick wickets, managed a mediocre score of 161 and conceded 56 runs in first 5 overs. Still they ended in winning side. The difference is made by one man only, the captain. If you remember last year almost all the matches KKR lost very closely. In crunch and crucial stage only you need a person to lead you, a person to take decision and that is why captain should be there. Statistic says Buchanan’s multiple captains never made it through. I remember last year KKR lost to Deccan in one match where in last over 16 runs were required almost similar to today’s match and first ball of the over was called noball because of sufficient fielder was not inside the inner circle. World saw McCullam arguing with umpires on that, for what reason I don’t know. In similar condition today KKR did everything right in last over. That is the essence of Ganguly. He started his international captain’s account in Nairobi mini world cup where he was given a second grade new team. He came back with the cup. He has the dare to win anything by hook or by crook. He has the dare to take out his shirt at lord’s balcony, he has the dare to take the fight to the opponent camp, he has the dare to backing up his boys who lag in performance, he has the dare to fight against selectors for his choice and he has the dare to protest against zonal partiality in selection. What other quality you need in a captain? Definite question will come if at all he is the key to success then why didn’t they perform well in 2007. Well if the entire team cannot perform, captain can’t do anything. They were losing but they were never looked like eleven different entities on the ground like IPL2. And there is one more factor, if you tie up a tiger’s face, cut his nails and ask him to fight, he might lose the battle against any one. Let the Tiger fight the battle in his own way. If still he loses then raise the question. Our Bengal Tiger is 37 already, but never looks like. Does he? He earned respect from the cricket fans that are beyond zonal discrimination. That is why still he gets a roaring welcome even in Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur, Mohali. He is the man who is the founder of Team India from Indian Cricket team. Team India started dreaming for number one spot under his captaincy only. It was so close yet so far. The more his success gave him pride and pleasure, the more his failures gave him insult and frustration. His captaincy was taken away; he was dropped from the team after performing well. And then KKR captaincy controversy, what more does anyone can digest. Has anyone tried to see what and how that brave man thinks about life? No one even bothered I guess. They are just doing their own business. I don’t blame Sharukh Khan. I don’t think cricket really does matter to him. He is a style icon, nation’s face. He can do publicity stunts, he can lead mass. That is why in 2008 IPL; in spite of finishing at 6th he earned the highest revenue. He took the decision to remove Ganguly as captain along with his team management so he suffered with his team’s performance. But what we, the all KKR fans got out of these? Nothing but pain and agony. I lost my all hopes of seeing this team back on track, but may be one person thought it differently who never lose his hope. My thought process is nothing in front of his. I only can salute that person. The Performers, the fighters, the champions cross pass all the hurdles. People FEEL they can do it, but Champions KNOW they can do it. That is how they are different from others. Had Moti Nandi been alive he might say “fight dada fight”.