SACHIN TENDULKAR
Clothes and accessories: Sachin looked straight out of a vacation. In a loose yellow T-shirt worn over faded jeans, he was a picture of complete ease. The chunky sports watch on his left wrist accentuated the relaxed demeanour of a man who is the master of his time.
Entry: A packed ballroom at the Oberoi Grand waited with bated breath on Tuesday afternoon as the organisers (it was a Canon press meet) hyped up the big moment by playing an audio-visual of Sachin’s greatest moments on the pitch. When the time came, it was a grand ovation as the little big man entered without a fuss. A full-on smile and a light wave later Sachin took his place at the centre of the makeshift stage.
Body language: Not a concern in the whole wide world, Sachin Tendulkar was a picture of poise. So what if he is not playing for Team India in the T20 World Cup? It’s his choice! So what if his Mumbai Indians didn’t win the IPL? It’s just a game! The man who keeps breaking world records every time he steps on to the pitch, the Master Blaster was cool enough to actually start clicking the hordes of photographers trying to get their perfect Sachin snap!
Articulation: “Obviously”, “Definitely”, “Absolutely”... yeah, Sachin is surely not the best wordsmith in the world. And when he latches on to some word, well, he keeps using it, just like he would target one bowler and go after him. The word of the day was “special”. So Calcutta was “special”. Eden Gardens was “special”. His family was “special”. His holiday was “special”. Let’s just say he won’t make a very “special” commentator once he does hang up his boots.
Man in charge: Sachin’s really not been our best captain. But whether in the middle or in the dressing room he has always instilled a sense of confidence. He was, after all, always ahead of the game. The thinking on his feet trait was on view even at the press conference when he guided the two organisers to walk up to the edge of the stage and pose for pictures. The trick worked and there was Sachin directing the photographers when to click and which angle to click from. No doubting who the boss man is.
As a non-cricketer: We will see him play a few more Test matches and ODIs but we will sooner rather than later have to get used to cricket after Sachin Tendulkar. And from the trailer we saw on Tuesday, it will be an image worth savouring. Clearly, obviously and definitely Sachin would make a great off-the-pitch statesman of the game, who would always remain one of our most potent sporting heroes. If India ever pitches for the Olympics, Sachin must be the face of sporty India.
What Sachin can learn from Sourav: Articulation.
SOURAV GANGULY
Clothes and accessories: A striped full-sleeve shirt teamed with dark grey trousers, Sourav was clearly sending out signals of a different kind on Wednesday evening. He was making the transition from a cricketer to an “expert analyst” and the seriousness of his job was being reflected in the dress code. All that was fine... just that the oversized ESPN STAR blazer he was given to wear was more Tony Greig than Sourav Ganguly.
Entry: The small little Topaz Hall at Hyatt Regency on Wednesday afternoon was buzzing all right but the tone of the buzz was a tad different. It was more of irritation. After all one full hour had passed from the time mentioned in the invite and Maharaj was nowhere in sight. (He was busy facing some bouncers from Salt Lake residents opposed to his school coming up in CA block.) When Sourav was finally rushed in through a different entrance, there was more a collective sigh of relief than a cheer.
Body language: Must be the IPL hangover, but Dada looked ill at ease throughout his stay. There he sat with his raised brows, a thousand thoughts swarming in his head. There was the occasional smile, of course, but not one that would inspire much confidence in a Sourav fan. It was like a scratchy Sourav innings with just a couple of cover drives. Is that what they call the Buchanan blues? “I don’t want to say much about him.” Point taken.
Articulation: It’s not without reason that ESPN STAR is banking on Sourav to deliver the gyan goods in the T20 World Cup. As the special guest in the commentary box during the semis and the final, Dada will bring a thinking mind and a lucid tongue. He displayed characteristic clarity about his latest role. “Hopefully I will be a player’s man and they will all shake hands with me at the end of the tournament.”
Man in charge: He has been one of our best team leaders. But circumstances have always somehow managed to get the better of him. Whether it’s Greg Chappell or John Buchanan or an over-sized blazer, Dada has struggled to fend off unexpected short-pitched stuff. He wanted to let go of the new robes but the sponsors wanted him to keep it on — after all the logo was stamped near the pocket. The enduring image that remained was that of a displaced captain forced into the ill-fitting contours of a new job.
As a non-cricketer: He may return next year to play for Knight Riders again — he says he will — but we have all kind of realised that the Dadagiri from now on will all be off the field. But for that Sourav would do well to just chill. Focus on your many strengths and come to terms with your few weaknesses, Dada, and we are with you.
What Sourav can learn from Sachin: Poise.