The ‘Why’ of Sports

Reading the line 'For if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same' from Rudyard Kipling's beautiful poem 'IF', I can't help but feel that it signifies the very essence of sport. Being a sports fanatic, I have asked myself on many occasions the questions - why sports and what makes them special? I can talk for hours about sports without experiencing an iota of boredom but can't bring myself to do any useful task for even an hour. I am unable to remember the day and date in the present week but am able to recall obscure numbers from a forgotten match played in the previous century. I cannot bring myself to spend money on a good phone but am more than eager to buy sports DVDs and decorate my home with posters of sports stars. My family and most friends have given up on me after noticing my tendency to correlate every second occurrence in life with a sports event. So, I thought it's about time I try and demystify this fascination for sport.

The biggest reason why people love sports and worship sports stars is because sport is the most natural extension of a man's physical abilities. We evolved to use our limbs to run, trained our senses and movement to hunt prey and protect ourselves from predators. Man developed weapons to aid him in these tasks and success in hunting often used to bring him the greatest satisfaction. After thousands of years, men still run and compete in athletics, throw the javelin, duck a cricket ball, hit the angles in tennis and score a goal in football. If these are not natural extensions of his physical abilities, what are they?

Any other career requires the use of computers, the need to study and more often than not, multiple academic qualifications. These careers can be lucrative but are hardly endearing. They may entice briefly but lack the ability to sustain interest. Technology is increasingly used in sports but essentially, it is still the natural movements and reflexes that define and shape an athlete's performance. It's all fine saying that sports are loved because they are extensions of a man's natural capabilities but then is that all sports have to offer?

The answer is a big no. Sports events are arenas where the best and worst aspects of a man's behaviour tend to manifest themselves. Sports stars can be exceedingly gracious on occasions and exhibit a terrific spirit on the field. Why else would phrases such as 'sporting behaviour and sportsmanship' be used and highly regarded? To be a winner and yet not forget the vanquished is something that sets the best of stars apart. Think back to Andrew Flintoff moving away from his celebrating team mates and crouching by Brett Lee to console the latter. Or cast your mind back to Rafael Nadal, who so gracefully hugged a teary-eyed Roger Federer after the Australian Open final in 2009. These moments matter. These scenes are rooted in your memory and confirm the beauty and charm of sport.

Sports foster a competitive spirit like no other. The best players boast a never-say-die attitude and an iron will to succeed despite all the odds stacked against them. They manage to find motivation when all seems lost and keep the flame burning. How else can one explain Brian Lara's extraordinary match-winning innings against an all-conquering Australia even though there was hardly any hope? Manchester United's remarkable last-minute heroics against Bayern Munich only reaffirm that the best never give up. Whenever I have been in the doldrums, I have gathered my spirits by thinking back to these wonderful acts of defiance. Sports have changed me as a person. I have appreciated the value of team work and persevered till I realise success but more importantly, I have learned to be a graceful loser. Sports stars may be rich and pampered in this day and age but this does not take away the fact that they struggled in the past and sacrificed many comforts to reach the top. The history of various sports is rife with tales of legends who came from the bottom strata of society and worked their way to fame and immortality. Numerous stars may have failed to live with the adulation and stardom and instead been lured by mammon. This is no slur on sport but is a prime example of man's vulnerabilities.

Don Bradman may have scored a hundred virtually every time he batted and seemed invincible but his final duck brought a sense of poignancy and humanness with it. Perfection is boring but not so man’s vulnerability and fallibility. They make sports special. They bring in a sense of randomness which characterises our lives. Life finds its greatest analogy in sport. The highs, the lows, the victories, the defeats, the praises, the criticism…

One does not need to look further than sports to understand mankind's diversity. The genes and environment combine seamlessly to bring out varied characteristics among players. Sample traits as diverse as Maradona's sheer genius interspersed with moments of madness, the flair of the Caribbean masters, Garrincha's out-of-the-world ability to enthrall despite being afflicted with polio, Sachin Tendulkar's poise and grace and many more. Sports provide the viewer with opportunities to identify his heroes, idolise them and yet learn from their mistakes. Sports thrill the senses, calm the tensed mind and importantly leave an indelible mark in the memory. Evolution has made man love anything remotely connected with sports and relate with sporting achievements as if they were his own.

CLR James, in his classic book 'Beyond a Boundary' says 'What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?' This is more than a valid point. No sport can be truly appreciated and understood without knowledge of the diverse characters involved, the history of the sport and the circumstances surrounding an achievement. West Indian cricket can never quite be enjoyed unless one learns about the effect racial politics had on people. The urge for the Caribbean natives to break free and hit back is captured quite superbly in Stevan Riley's Fire in Babylon. Brazilian football for all its simplicity and sorcery can never be relished if one does not appreciate the nature of the people in the country. History matters a great deal. Wimbledon would never have been what it is if not for its glorious past. Lord's, Old Trafford, MCG are not like any other arena. They are symbols that have defined what we are. Sports provide a different perspective, stimulate thoughts and foster an interest in various fields. Most people would laugh at Harold Pinter's suggestion that Test cricket (sports) is better than sex. But then, I wonder if there is some truth concealed there. While the latter provides a heavenly but fleeting high, sports leave infinite memories that are more than likely to last a lifetime. Rather inevitably, after having begun with the question 'Why sports?’, I have reached a stage when I wonder 'Why life without sports?'

Destroyer nonpareil

I had never really imagined I would sit down to write a blog on AIDS. But then, on World AIDS day, I think back and feel that there has never been such a scourge in mankind's long history. There have been hundreds of infectious diseases that have tormented, killed and plagued humans for years, but none that has been able to withstand every attempt made to suppress it. Be it the great plague, TB, smallpox or polio, scientists have inevitably been able to discover drugs and vaccines to deal with, and in some cases, eradicate the disease. AIDS, however, has been a completely different monster. It was first discovered about thirty years back after a number of cases of a rare form of pneumonia were diagnosed in male patients. All of them seemed to be affected by a immune-suppressor virus and also exhibited a homosexual lifestyle. Soon, incidences of Kaposi Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, were also found in multiple patients. Then, the disease was thought to be one that solely affected homosexuals and syringe-sharing drug abusers. This, however, turned out to be just the beginning. Hundreds of cases started sprouting up in Africa and Asia where the lifestyle was very different from the high-risk groups in America and Europe. Authorities quickly realised that heterosexuals were just as likely to be affected by this disease. The discovery of this fact completely changed the way the threat was perceived.

The HIV in short for Human immuno-deficiency virus was in many ways similar to a strain of virus found to be causing an immuno disorder in monkeys (SIV). IT was suspected to have resulted from some kind of mutation in the SIV. HIV, a retrovirus, synthesises its DNA from RNA using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. It is spread mainly through sexual/blood contact via unprotected sex, sharing syringes and to a lesser extent blood transfusion. The virus, after getting into the body, strikes by eliminating immune cells (T-lymphocytes). Although the immune system counters the virus by producing enough antibodies in the beginning, it soon loses the battle as the virus replicates and takes control. Once the immune system is bypassed, the rest of the body is highly susceptible to multiple infections. Although the virus is extremely dangerous and life-threatening once it enters the host, it is one of the least effective when it comes to transmission. The HIV virus can hardly survive for even a few hours outside the human body and cannot be transmitted by physical contact, through the air or by mosquitoes. Considering how destructive the virus can be, it's weak transmissibility is perhaps nature's biggest lifeline.

People who suspect infection undergo either the ELISA (enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay) or the Western Blot Test to detect the virus' presence. These are the two most popular and reliable tests available for the detection of infection. HIV, though, is an extremely difficult pathogen to deal with. It continuously mutates and tends to become drug resistant. Anti-viral drugs therefore, are incapable of providing a cure. However, a lethal combination of powerful anti-viral drugs known as HAART (Highly advanced anti retro-viral therapy) is used to treat HIV-infected patients. By using a combination of drugs, the virus' ability to become resistant is quelled. Infected individuals are thus able to add years to their lives but this treatment comes at an exorbitant cost which very few can afford. Recent studies have found that humans carrying the CCR5 mutation (deletion of a portion on the CCR5 gene) are resistant to HIV infection. This mutation is at the heart of genetic therapy (vaccine and drug research) in many AIDS research centres in the USA and Europe.

While the long struggle for a cure or a vaccine is underway, it is imperative to understand that the best possible approach to fighting this killer disease is by education. Negligence and ignorance are the biggest hurdles. People must be educated on the importance of safe sex and the avoidance of risky practices (drug abuse, promiscuous behaviour). Also, people should learn to care for HIV-infected patients and treat them with respect. They are often ostracised by society for no fault of theirs. It is time for us to learn, educate and advise people to understand the grave consequences of the disease and guide the youngsters so that the spread of the disease can be controlled greatly. In the meanwhile, the extraordinary efforts of scientists all over the world can be directed at finding a highly-elusive cure or vaccine. Man has, after all, successfully survived hundreds of calamities over the centuries. Hope springs eternal.....

One of a kind..

All of us were taught the value of good friends and friendship during our school days. I am no exception. I listened to the saying 'A friend in need is a friend indeed' more than a hundred times till it seemed to become a cliche. A few years later, I watched Sholay, enjoyed 'Yeh Dosti' and felt there was something special about the friendship between Jai and Veeru. I read the Mahabharata dozens of times and admired the great relationship shared by Duryodhana and Karna. Furthermore, I learned and appreciated innumerable beautifully-constructed Sanskrit verses that glorified good company. But then, I wasn't quite at that stage in life where I would be able to understand and feel true friendship. Perhaps, I wasn't quite in strife to meet the 'friend in need'. I never quite knew the reason anyway. Life moved on and I was never short of a good pals. Be it near home or in school and college, I was always fortunate to know and interact with an exceptional group. When I was about to fly to the US in December 2005, my dad's advice about friends and friendship kept ringing in my ears. I continue to be inspired by his ability to maintain an extraordinarily wide circle of friends and I left India that day aiming to do the same.

I was alone, bored, homesick and frankly irritated with the whole experience of being in the US. All this well before even a month passing by after getting there. Few fellow-students were in the US in January. The vast majority had left for their vacation to India. The terrible cold and snow compounded by my inability to cook and failure to acclimatise to the new place left me wishing I should board the next flight home. It was on one such evening (perhaps Jan 20th 2006), when I looking fairly despondent, stepped into D-13, an apartment that was to change my life. I sat on the sofa with a bemused look as I was introduced to a long-haired guy who seemed to be the one everybody was talking to. I could not quite fathom why he was the object of attention. I soon realised he was just back from India (a rare event for many, but a biannual one for him). He had news to share about his trips, meetings and most of all about a girl he met. We started arguing about something I can't quite recall. It must have been a Bangalore-Chennai debate given its ability to recur with an almost unreal frequency over the years. It did not matter who won or lost the argument. I felt there was something about this guy that made my time and stay worthwhile. Nearly five years after that day, as I sit and write about it, I cannot help but feel fortunate to have met and known Deepak who is more popularly referred to as JD (pun intended).

We hit it off instantly. I had never had problems making friends anywhere but got the feeling this was something special. I started living in I-9 (his apartment) where we cooked, watched sports, debated over a plethora of topics, discussed girls, relationships and everything under the sun. I first realised how much he meant to me when I called him and cried about a major problem I was facing in the first semester. Here I was crying and seeking motivation from someone whom I had just recently met. I clearly had not made a mistake. He guided me through that tough phase with the best possible advice and encouragement. By then, he was continuously thinking about his summer visit to India. The trip by itself was nothing new for him, but this time, he was going to meet the girl he had fallen for head over heels. I remember sitting with him and poring through her email about a trip (a very long email indeed). We joked about the ability of girls to write pages without sparing a thought for the reader. I responded to the mail with Shakespeare's immortal line 'Brevity is the soul of wit'. I can't quite recall what I got in return but am fairly sure it wasn't an affirmative nod. Deepak had never quite managed to get through the Himalayan task of completing a book till then. He was blessed with a remarkable memory of dates and numbers though and it was no surprise then that he remembered the page number of an interesting portion of the only book he had dared to start reading (Kane and Abel) :). He wasn't quite going to get away easily with his girl though and was asked to complete the Godfather in 2-3 days. He read the book religiously while skipping cricket and quoted Vito Corleone on more than one occasion. Although I laughed at his predicament, I appreciated his resolve and willingness to compromise.

In the course of the next 1.5 years, we bonded like never before. I was present throughout to listen to the issues he faced in his relationship. It was a mighty struggle but he endured all the problems as only he could. It was as if nothing could perturb him. We would lie for hours on a sleeping bag in D-13 and talk. There were days when we realised we had spoken all the time till sunrise. And on more than one occasion I would continue to talk blissfully unaware that he had dozed off. He was by my side when the job hunt and interviews were not going right. When I decided to move to California in December 2007 to land a job, he saw me off at the Greyhound bus station in Lawrence. At that point, I felt a tinge of sadness because I wasn't quite sure when I would see him. It wasn't going to be too long though! He was in California in less than a month with a full-time job. We moved into a friend's place temporarily and later, to 2622 Ohlone Drive, a town house in San Jose which I can never forget.

I have often wondered how my best and worst times could have coincided. It was the case in 2008. The recession was a reality and jobs were at a premium. I tried hard but struggled to land interview calls and even when I did perform well, visa problems put paid to my chances. My grandmother's loss was a very difficult one to deal with and on that fateful day in May, as i sat in Starbucks not knowing how to react at the news of her demise, guess who was by my side? Deepak made me tide through a phase where I was considering giving up. He was at once my greatest motivator and harshest critic. He doubled up as my confidant and jester. Without him, I could not have imagined surviving 2008. I worked extremely hard to complete my Masters and there was no better person to encourage me than JD. Life was at its doldrums and he remained the rock I used throughout for support. When I had to leave the US, I felt a pain like no other. It was impossible to stay away. I came to the US in tears in 2005 and was leaving the same way. I had a fantastic friend network during my stay but my biggest gain was Deepak's acquaintance. The numerous tennis matches, the arguments, the escapades on our road trips, the humourous exchanges and most of all the confidence and motivation he had provided at various stages flashed before me as i boarded the flight back to Bangalore. Little did I know that his influence on my life had just begun.

Growing up idolising the legendary Karna, I had always wondered if there could ever be another like him. I can stick my neck out to say that Deepak comes closest. Never one to shy away from helping someone in distress, be it monetarily or through his words, Deepak made me understand the value of giving. He shunned materialistic thoughts and his ideals rubbed off on me. I had heard many episodes about how he went out of his way to help his friends and I wasn't surprised. He did the same for me and continues to help me to this date. My hand instinctively dials his number or points to his email whenever I need any favour. I have never felt the need to think twice because I know it's Deepak. My troubled times in the US led me to accrue humongous debts. If it were not for his timely help in the last few years, I would have drowned in that very sea of debts and credit loans. Even in the one year I lived in Madras, I can only recall the month I spent with him during his visit. Not a single day was boring and every minute was eventful. He was also the force behind my decision to follow my passion. He radiated positive energy always and every ounce of the confidence I have can be attributed to him.

Deepak has been everything I can ask for. He has encouraged, chided, advised, goaded and more importantly has driven me to succeed. He has been my shining light and I have only wondered how I haven't known him longer. He is THE PARADIGM when it comes to describing a great friend. I have been immensely lucky to have had him in my life and will be indebted to him always. Nithya, you are tremendously lucky yourself to have found such a jewel. I cannot help but feel that it is impossible to do justice to his great nature and qualities in one piece. But I will certainly sleep well filled with the thought that I have given him a small gift in return for all the positives I have gained (and am gaining) during my association with him. He now stands on the cusp of achieving something special. His marriage may seem a normal event to many, but I for one, have witnessed his patience and steadfastness through the trials and tribulations of the last five years. The culmination of the marriage represents a victory for me too as I would have seen my greatest pal win his toughest battle. Certainly, no one can be happier than I am!

PS: dei Deepak, you might not like me writing all this. But live with it!

Historically....

Hey guys

Back with another crossword.. this time on another of my favourite topics- History.. it's mostly based on Modern Indian and World history (mostly 20th century stuff and the World War 2).. so good luck and happy solving!

Across
4. Party founded by Rajagopalachari to oppose policies of Congress ----------- (9)
Swatantra 5. Supreme Commander of Allies during the D-day landings------------- (10)
Eisenhower 8. Area of Czechoslovakia permitted for annexation under the Munich pact-------- (11)
Sudetenland 12. One of India's youngest revolutionaries to be hanged- at just 18 years------------ (8, 4)
Khudiram Bose 14. Handed Indira Gandhi shock defeat in Rae Bareli in 1977 elections------------ (3, 6)
Raj Narain 15. This proposal immediately preceded the Quit India movement------------ (6)
Cripps 17. Involved in the 'Kakori Conspiracy'--------- (6)
Bismil 20. German chancellor succeeded by Hitler--------- (10)
Hindenburg 22. Hitler's mistress whom he married just before committing suicide in his bunker------------- (3, 5)
Eva Braun 23. CBS journalist and war correspondent who covered World War 2----------- (7, 6)
William Shirer 24. Author of the outstanding award-winning two-part biography of Adolf Hitler titled ''Hubris' and 'Nemesis'------------- (3, 7)
Ian Kershaw

Down
1. Governor General during the partition of Bengal------------- (6)
Curzon 2. India's defence minister under Nehru famous for lapse during Indo-China war----- (7, 5)
Krishna Menon 3. Led French forces against Germany in Nazi-occupied France in World War 2-------- (2, 6)
de Gaulle 4. British police officer shot by mistake by Bhagat Singh and Rajguru---------- (7)
Saunders 6. Israeli PM during the Munch Olympic massacre----------- (5, 4)
Golda Meir 7. Commanded Operation Bluestar in 1984----------------- (2, 4)
KS Brar 9. Town over which Pan American flight was bombed in 1988--------------- (9)
Lockerbie 10. Hanged at TIhar Jail after assassinating Indira Gandhi--------------- (7, 5)
Satwant SIngh 11. Port city in Norway where the Germans first landed during their 'blitzkreig' campaign-------------- (9)
Trondheim 13. 'The Desert Fox" - agreed to commit suicide after being found involved in campaign to eliminate Hitler-------------- (5, 6)
Erwin Rommel 16. Communist faction founded by Lenin------------- (9)
Bolshevik 18. Encryption machine used by Nazi Germany in World War 2
------------- (6) Enigma 19. Japanese invasion of China also known as the 'Rape of ?'------------- (7)
Nanking 21. Scene of World War two's greatest evacuation--------------- (7)
Dunkirk

All two-word answers have a space between the two names
have fun !

The bane of mammon

Curse me if you like. Or call me naive. I stick to my guns that money (material wealth) is the bane of existence. At least an indulgence or excessive importance given to the accumulation of money most definitely is. I have, for years now, noticed how Indian society in particular seems to judge people only by the amount of wealth he/she possesses and care very little for any other personality traits. First question when some random person meets you or your family member at some gathering: What's your son doing? where does he work? Depending on the answer, the next question follows. If the answer is A, B or C (software firms) as is most likely the case considering how stereotypical we Indians are on an average (no offense again), then the reply will be highly 'encouraging'. "Excellent madam, he will get an excellent pay and promotion soon. Will be an ideal candidate once it comes to the bride search blah blah blah". In the highly unlikely event of the parent mentioning a non IT job, the happiness vanishes and is followed by statements that question the choice of job or worse still, sneers in other groups about what a grave mistake the boy has made in not doing what pays well, or as i prefer to see it as (what everybody does anyway).

Nowhere is the love of money, the material wealth and greed for more of the same manifested than in Indian marriages. What is purely meant to be a logical extension of mutual love and admiration of a couple is far from that. The entire process of marriage is now a money-laundering business, and while deploring it is not my intention anyway, I would hardly be getting my point across if I do not expose the scum that lies beneath the well-refined exterior.

There may have been Sanskrit sayings that spoke in glowing terms about knowledge as being the purest of all pursuits ("swadeshe poojyate raja, vidhwan sarvatra poojyate or "vidya dadati vinayam" etc). While I still concur and will continue to do so, the relevance of all this seems to be lost in a society which is increasingly filled with hypocrites. For them though, wealth suddenly becomes important when it comes to marriage scenarios. In other times, they try to don the garb of individuals who denounced wealth and speak eloquently about how important morals are and how trivial money is. Where did the very same morals go when it is time for the marriage of their sons and daughters? This hypocrisy breeds contempt and jealousy but very little love. Why can't a person meet a prospective partner, spend time, get to know his/her nature, appreciate the finer aspects of the character that are products of both the genes and nurture? Instead, salaries and jobs are used as filters in a society that claims to be at the forefront in advances and rational thinking. If this is not the definition of hypocrisy, nothing else is. While I would be the last person to attack astrology or the other empirical sciences that play an important role in the entire matrimony process, I can't help but believe that the horoscope is being used as an alibi to mask the real underlying reason for rejection. People and society in general would be much better off if the prospective partners are allowed to spend time and make their own decision on whether they want to proceed further. This eliminates any ambiguity and leaves very little room for assumptions.

Money is important and much more than I can ever envisage. But like most materials, an over-indulgence is undoubtedly malevolent. We as a well-informed and educated generation would do better if we focus on what brings more lasting happiness than on something that is ephemeral. If money indeed was what mattered to my best friends, I would not have survived the last few years. Their help and encouragement during trying times has not just changed my approach towards material wealth, but has also created an awareness in me that I should enjoy and appreciate the innate qualities that make people wonderful human beings and not the facade that material wealth creates.

Epic crossword

Hey guys.. time for another crossword and this time on a favourite topic. I am not sure about you guys, but Indian mythology especially the Mahabharata has been a fascinating read each and every time i pick it up. The seemingly endless stories and interesting array of characters make it an exceptional epic. I have put together this crossword on Vyasa's great epic. Whether it happened or not is irrelevant, the fact remains that it will perhaps be the greatest work ever.

** Since most answers involve names, slight variants in spellings are ok. I shall provide the number of letters though.

Across

3. King whom Krishna reinistated after killing Kamsa (8)----- UGRASENA
5. Father of Drona (10)----- BHARADWAJA
11. Gifted with divine vision to narrate the war to Dhritarashtra (7)---- SANJAYA
13. Main narrator of the Vishnu Sahasranamam (7)---- BHISHMA
15. Nakul and Sahadeva's uncle. Killed by Yudhishtira (6)---- SHALYA
17. Arjuna's name when in disguise in Virata's kingdom (10)----- BRIHANNALA
19. Vishnu's guards who chose to be reborn in three births as Hiranyaksha- Hiranyakashpu, Ravana-Kumbhakarna and Shishupala-Dantavakra (4,6)---- JAYA VIJAYA
20. One of the four wives of Arjuna (Draupadi, Chitrangada and Subhadra the others)(6)--- ULOOPI
22. Designed the house of lac to eliminate the Pandavas (9)-- PUROCHANA
23. Only Kaurava who opposed the ill-treatment of Draupadi (7)--- VIKARNA
24. Charioteer who raises Karna (8)-- ADIRATHA
25. Yadava warrior who fought on the Pandava side (7)------ SATYAKI


Down

1. Responsible for luring Arjuna away from the Chakravyuha. This ultimately leads to Abhimanyu's death inside. (8)---- SUSHARMA
2. The only person other than Arjuna, Krishna and Abhimanyu who knew to enter the Chakravyuha (did not fight the war) (9)--- PRADYUMNA (KRISHNA'S SON)
4. Krishna's conch (11)---- PANCHAJANYA
6. Jarasandha's Kingdom (7)---- MAGADHA
7. Karna's guru who cursed him for lying that he is a Brahmin (11)---- PARASHURAMA
8. Village that was being terrorized by the demon Bakasura whom Bheema slew (9)--EKACHAKRA
9. 'Neigh of a horse' (11)-- ASHWATTHAMA
10. Jayadratha's wife and Duryodhana's sister (8)--- DUSSHALA
12. Arjuna's name (conqueror of the night (sleep))(9)-- GUDAKESHA
14. Arjuna-Abhimanyu-Parikshit-? (10)--- JANAMEJAYA
16. Joined the Pandava army from the Kaurava camp just before the war (7)-- YUYUTSU
18. Reborn as Shikhandi in order to kill Bhishma (4)-- AMBA
21. The origin of the name Partha (6)-- PRITHA (KUNTI'S ORIGINAL NAME)


And a bonus weirdo question to finish.. Name the Sri Lankan fast bowler whose name figures in the last part of the second line of the first verse of the Vishnu Sahasranamam. He dismissed Brian Lara caught and bowled for 8 in the Singer Cup final in 1995 which Sri Lanka won by 50 runs-------- Eric Upashantha (Shuklambharadharam Vishnum..... Sarva Vigna upashanthaye)
Till next time..cheers!

Contextually speaking..

Graham Gooch's 154: the greatest Test innings ever according to many

Nearly every sporting achievement is measured based on the context. What is the context after all and why is it so paramount? What does it involve and who decides the parameters? Greatness, after all separates the extraordinary from the ordinary, and can be bestowed only to the deserving. What makes a performance special and what makes the circumstances demanding? Majority of these context-related questions are typically raised in a conversation over a drink or two. While the discussions rarely end with a unanimous choice, they do provide a keen insight into the sports fan's mind.

Sample this discussion in a pub between two cricket buffs A and B. One may ask why cricket? Well...after all it is Test cricket and discussions on the topic hardly require a particular time or place..

A: Well, it's been a long time. How have you been? Am fairly sure you have been following all the action lately.

B: Yeah, it has been a while. Of course, I have been following all the matches. Who would miss the cricket after all?

After a couple of usual questions inquiring about trivial stuff such as career and the job, the topic inevitably shifts to the much more serious analysis of Test cricket..

A: Well, After taking a look at the stupid XI that the ICC put up, I wonder if the people who voted ever watched or read about cricket

B: You're not alone. It's a bloody disgrace not to have Sobers and Richards in a team. Sobers for me goes into any XI even ahead of Bradman..

A: I have to agree but it would be even more interesting to see a top 10 innings list. I would imagine it being populated by Tendulkar and Sehwag efforts considering what people exposed to. However, what would be your picks?

B: Read about many and watched quite a few too. But Laxman's 281 for me stands out. An outstanding bowling attack led by two of the greatest ever in Mcgrath and Warne. 274 runs behind and following on. Can it really get better? Add to it the impact he made on the match and series itself. Simply the best..

A: Interesting choice. But I would perhaps rate Gooch's 154 at Headingley slightly higher. Ok, England had a 25-run lead going into the second innings but no other player even crossed 20 while Gooch batted throughout the innings against Marshall, Ambrose, Patterson and Walsh. That beats the Autralian attack for me which at least had a couple of weaker bowlers in Kasprowicz and Mark Waugh.

B: Dude, you must be kidding me. Laxman started when India were 222 adrift and took them to a score of 608 i.e. 334 ahead and effectively sealed the Test. Look at the context and impact.

A: Righto. But he had Ganguly for support first. Ganguly made a crucial 48 which is easily forgotten and then Dravid, who made a brilliant 180 which is overshadowed by Laxman's effort. What did Gooch have anyway? He made 154 out of 252 and carried his bat through the innings. Add to it the fact that the pitch was fairly tough and that he was up against the finest pace attack going around. And yeah, helped England win a Test at home against West Indies after 22 goddamn years...

B: If you are looking at the quality of the attack, then Kim Hughes' effort in Melbourne is probably an even better one. He came in at 8 for 3 and soon 26 for 4 and faced Roberts, Holding, Croft and Garner. Simply superb 100 out of 198.

A: Yeah, the Hughes effort was exceptional. But we have to consider the fact that Lillee's burst at the end of the day which left West Indies at 10/4 was the turning point and what's more, he nailed Viv Richards.

B: Don't drag the bowlers in now. In that case, all Tests are won by bowlers. Harbhajan Singh had to win it for India and so did the England bowlers after Gooch's effort. Why, even Bob Willis' 8 for 43 is more responsible than Ian Botham's 149.

A: Nonsense. Botham gave England a chance in a game where they had no hope. Dilley and Old played a minor role, but Botham transformed the mood of the series.

B: Lara's 213 and 153? Surely, they figure right up there. Imagine the plight the West Indians were in. 51 all out in Trinidad and 34/4 in Jamaica chasing 256. He responds with the 213 and in Barbados, he steers them to a target of 308 from 78/3. Mcgrath, Gillespie, Warne and Macgill. These are two of the best knocks man.

A: Warne was not as potent man and was coming back from the surgery. That was the case in 1998 in Chennai too when Tendulkar took to him. And yeah, the attack had no Mcgrath and featured Gavin Robertson. How pathetic is that? What about Tendulkar's special in Chennai in 1999? Akram and Saqlain were brilliant and Tendulkar nearly took them home from a hopeless 82/5.

B: Mark the words nearly. He didn't help them cross the line that's all. You are remembered not for aiming at the target but for hitting it. Did not win it simple. Can't quite be up there because of that.

A: That's stupidity. So all top efforts in losses can't be on top you mean? Gavaskar's stunning 96 on a bloody hard Bangalore track where Tauseef and Qasim bowled nearly 90% of the overs. Tendulkar's 169 in Cape Town after India fell to 58/5. Lara's efforts in Sri Lanka. Come on, you must rethink.

B: No man. There is no need to rethink. The best knocks in history are always ones that result in wins. Greenidge's 214 made a mockery of England's target at Lord's, Gavaskar's 221 is an exception because it came so close to a win.

A: It was a draw. Don't contradict yourself. What about Bradman's 270 on a spiteful MCG pitch. 2-0 down in the series and turning it around completely.

B: Hold your horses man. Australia had made 200 and kept England down to 72. Bradman astutely sent the tail enders first and when the pitch got better, Fingleton joined him at 98 for 5 in a 346-run stand. It's not the score but the quality of support you have to look at here.

A: All said and done, the 270 turned the series around and he followed it up with 169 and 212 to win the series 3-2. Amazing really!

B: I'll make one exception though. Stan McCabe's 187 against Larwood and Voce is top class even though its a loss. Doing it against Bodyline. Stuff of legend man.

A: Contradicting yourself. Bradman was back in the next Test and made a duck and hundred leading Australia to a win. So perhaps, that is the better effort. Although Bradman himself says Stan was better.

B: Ponting's fourth innings classic at Old Trafford. He did it all alone for Australia.

A: If Mcgrath and Lee had not held out for four overs, Ponting's effort would have been in vain. What a thin line? Dravid's 233?

B: Agreed that India were up against it trailing by 556. But an Aussie attack without Mcgrath and Warne. Instead Brad Williams. It's a good knock not a great one. Dravid averaged just 15.5 in 1999 when both the greats were there. So you see, there is a difference. I think Steve Waugh's 200 was better.

A: He had Mark Waugh for support. I personally think the West Indian attack in that series was not as good as 1993 when Ambrose blew Australia away.

B: Gavaskar's 236 maybe?

A: Dead rubber. 3-0 down and although it was 0/2, I would rather think his 94-ball century in Delhi was better. Sobers' 254 man. Sadly not considered an official Test. Not often would Bradman call a knock the finest in Australia.

B: Yeah. Would have to agree. Lillee at his searing best and on a pair, the knock is right up there man. Fredericks 169 for its ferocity i suppose. And how about Miandad's century in Jamaica. Stunner!

A: Definitely one of his best knocks. The closest any team came to beating West Indies in the Caribbean. Richard's 109 in Delhi also great. Four down chasing nearly 280. Good effort although not a great attack.

B: So can we come to a conclusion man. Seems like we have evaluated the context and impact for many knocks now.

A: Laxman, Gooch, Hughes, Lara, Botham the top five in order for me i guess.

B: I'd put Gooch, Lara, Hughes, Laxman and perhaps Bradman..

A: Hmmm.. not quite the list according to me.

B: Nor is yours. Needs a relook..

A: Perhaps, next time, we can discuss in detail.

B: Wasn't this good enough.. Guess we rope in few more guys next time..Great fun it was though. Adios..

A: Yup. I just recalled. Forgot Gilly's 149 in Hobart. But not quite top tenner maybe.