In Issac Asimov's most famous Foundation Series - the underlying theme is completely about psychohistory and how the flows of history can be predicted fairly accurately. However it cannot predict the behavior of an individual and hence is put at bay when a mutant - The Mule takes over the galaxy.
Similarly - in cricket - in spite of commentators screaming that it is a game of glorious uncertainties - broadly you can predict various scenarios with several permutations and combinations and by and large you would have thought of most possible scenarios with varied probablities of them happening. Ofcourse while psychohistory predicts one scenario- cricket would end up with several likely scenarios.
"Last night I looked at every possible scenario that could develop and this wasn't one. I didn't think in my wildest dreams they would score at such a rate. Again that's only due to one man."A 292 ball 309 was not predicted - it could not be for a 300 in itself is a rare achievement. It needs time, it needs skill, it needs endurance, it needs mental strength. But on some occassions it just needs a fired up Sehwag - and then not only do you have a triple ton - you also have the quickest triple ever.
Sehwag may never make it to the list of Indian Greats - he may never sit in the same hall of revered fame that Gavaskar, Sachin, Dravid and even Ganguly will occupy. But he now has a pedestal of his own. Despite failing on numerous occasions in ODIs - in his own similar fashion - caught at mid-on, snapped at point, taken at slip slashing away from the body or even at third man.
His knocks at the top of the order are ones that create chances for the team where there are none. And come what may - even if he fails after this, Sehwag has created his own space in history. If Laxman's 281 is special - 309 and 319 too will be remembered forever. The 319 not just for its magnitude but also for its savagery and butchering value.
Cheers Viru - may your tribe increase!
4 comments:
And so The Great Indian Search for a hero continues. Why would we put someone on a pedestal again to bring him down?
Can't it be that some days his bat and ball connects?
I think it's a wonderful innings but I have not much favour for an innings thats not a fairytale.
Im actually entirely against the idea of glorifying a Sehwag. That the innings was breathtaking and landmark cannot be denied. But a cricketer like Sehwag cannot be trusted to put the interest of the team ahead of his own style of playing
You are right in saying that such an innings cannot be predicted. But even after witnessing it you would be cautious in trying to predict when Sehwag hits his next century forget double or triple. He is entertaining to watch no doubt but until he consistently demonstrates that he can deliver especially when the chips are down he doesnt deserve to be called a great
I find people's lack of faith.......disturbing
@ Anonymous
1. Pls leave a name.
2. Whether you or me like glorifying Sehwag or not or whether he delivers consistently that he can deliver the goods or not matters not an iota.
He will always be - again whether you like it or not notwithstanding - the man who has two triple hundreds. A feat true original greats like Sachin, Dravid and Gavaskar have not managed. And with that he books his place in history. A place neither you nor me with our combined petulance can deny him for it has been well earned.
And just so you know - Sehwag averages above 50 in test cricket. Takes some doing for sure!
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