By Asif Tanvir
Congratulations to the best cricket team on the sub continent, world champions Sri Lanka for winning the Asia Cup 2014 and the ICC World Twenty20 2014 cup both held in Bangladesh recently.
Many may argue my case of the Lankans being the best (as far as the white ball is concerned anyway) but I rate them higher than the mighty powerhouse that is India simply because Sri Lanka’s all round prowess as a unit and their overseas records being superior to their Indian counterparts like for like. Yes with best friends majestic Mahela Jayawardena and the ever so cool Kumar Sangakkara retiring from the T20 version of the game after their World Cup victory, voids will need to be filled and based on Sri Lanka’s past history with batsmen like, Marvin Attapatu, Aravinda De Silva or Sanath Jayasuriya I can’t see that being a problem. Jayawardene and Sangakkara are true ambassadors of the game of cricket, having carried themselves with utter professionalism and dignity that can only make their beautiful country proud, thank you Mahela and Kumar for the wonderful displays of pure class matched by only the very best!
These international elite cricketers are so well paid and many become multi millionaires but one thing that is common amongst the majority of them is the respect for their country and flag, yes I say flag for a reason…..
One of the wealthiest youngest current cricketers, Indian superstar Virat Kohli, very worthily named as the ICC World Twenty20 2014 player of the tournament, is regarded by many and his current batting form proves it that he is the best batsman in all three formats of the game in world cricket.
I have lot of respect for Virat, not just as brilliant cricketer but as a human being…..why?? I was watching the India v Sri Lanka 2013 Champions Trophy semi final in Cardiff last June, sitting behind the long on boundary Virat was fielding at the position long on and was being bombarded with fans throwing him items over the boundary fence to autograph which Virat kindly obliged every time and after signing them, threw the items back…….
One fan threw an Indian flag at Virat which Virat picked up and autographed but rather than throwing it back over the boundary fence for the fan to pick up, Virat very respectfully and neatly folded the cloth Indian flag and placed it on the boundary fence for the fan to collect which he duly did.
So being born and lived in England all my life and with Indian ancestry I have the utmost respect for Virat for showing just that…..UTMOST RESPECT!!!
Looking forward to a great summer of English cricket with both Sri Lanka and India touring, it’s not going to be easy for batsmen for either team on seaming English wickets and more importantly the English unwelcoming weather, not to forget probably England’s greatest swing bowler of modern times James Anderson, now that will be a test of India’s future captain Virat Kohli and company!
Can’t wait, bring it on!!
