In popular perception, fast bowling is often an ode to masculinity. Its relative traits feature aggression, muscles, speed, sweat, mayhem, screams and anger. But under that external core dipped in testosterone, lies intelligence and game-awareness. The act of quickly bowling the cricket ball has to find a balance between brain and brawn and acclaimed speed merchants accomplish that.
Zaheer Khan, who retired last week, ticked most of the above mentioned boxes and India will be forever grateful to the man from Shrirampur, who ensured that the conveyor belt of speed and swing did not stop once Javagal Srinath quit. The nation will be even more indebted to Zaheer because besides the obvious strengths that he brought to the table, he made another significant contribution, which can never be quantified — friend-philosopher-guide to the junior crop.
The guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) analogy that formed the bedrock of many Indian mythical tales, finds ample expression in cricket. You don’t have to look far for that, it is within our borders and beyond too as it is common knowledge that Imran Khan groomed Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and the trickle-down theory that spread skill and pace continued unabated in Pakistan.
Esta historia es de la edición October 31, 2015 de Sportstar.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 31, 2015 de Sportstar.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
