If I were Muttiah Muralitharan, my emotions at this juncture would be mixed – it is sad to say adieu, but it is also nice to have won in the last match I played. I started playing when I was 8 and now at the age of 38, I have retired in the longest version of the game – test cricket. Much has been made about my 800 wickets, but to tell you the truth, it mattered very little to me. I am happy of course, but even if I would not have reached that magic number, it would be no big deal. That I have reached the landmark is just a bonus to a fulfilling Test career. I have had my share of problems – most of you would surely know. I had been labelled a “chucker” which used to really hurt at first. I started getting very self-conscious while bowling but did not let it affect my performance. My team mates – Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda Desilva and others were firmly behind me and I was able to face all the flak. To my great relief, the ICC cleared me, but there were many who just refused to change their opinion. If the ruling had been adverse, I would of course have not given up. I would have tried to set right what was wrong or would have come out with a different bowling style. I have been told that I smile all the time. I have with practice realised that, just as happiness makes us smile, a smile also makes one happy. So however tense the situation, I try to keep a smile on my face. This relieves the stress of the mind. I try not to get flustered. Mind you, it is not as easy as it looks, but on a cricket field, where tempers fray easily, where opponents are always trying to make you lose your nerve, developing such an attitude is really helpful. I don’t believe in sledging, glaring at the batsmen, gesturing and so on. Sport is after all something to be enjoyed, no point in creating rancour and bad blood. I just let the ball do all the talking. I have absolutely no grudges against the people who have pointed fingers at me, who have made wild accusations. They may have really believed that I was in the wrong. Let bygones be bygones. My career however is far from over. I am still available … [Read more...]
If I was a sportswoman…..
The recent allegations of sexual misconduct against sports coaches leave a bitter taste in the mouth and I wonder how it may adversely affect the lives and careers of aspiring sportswomen especially in rural India. What if I was a sportswoman wanting to turn professional? How will news like this affect my dreams? I stay in a village and am all of 17 years old. I have been a hockey player since childhood. I have represented my college and district at different tournaments. Hockey is not a hobby of mine, it is a passion. I want to pursue a career in hockey; I want to be a professional hockey player. My goal is the Indian women’s team. There is a problem. My parents like most of those in an Indian village are old-fashioned and conservative. They have never encouraged my playing, but at least they haven't stopped me. However, when I indicated my career preference, they were quite horrified. In fact, what they would have liked to do best was marry off their under-aged daughter. Thankfully my relatives in the town convinced them otherwise. But my wish to be a professional hockey player flummoxed them. It took me patience and time to convince them and at last it looked like they would relent. But all my efforts came to naught recently when the sex scandal involving the hockey coach got exposed. My parents heard about it and I believe many village elders who were anyway not happy with my decision have been giving my father "What did we tell you?" looks. Not that my parents need the influence of others to decide. Their decision - a firm "no" to my wish has already been conveyed to me. My mother has told me to give up my dream. Not only are they terrified that I may be exploited, they are also worried that it would give people a chance to cast aspersions on my character. "Who will marry you then?" asks my mother. I mentally cursed all the coaches and staff members of all sports teams who have been abusing their powers, making improper advances to players, and creating problems for people like me. Don't they have any moral values, self-control that they prey on these hapless women? … [Read more...]
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