Many of my friends chastise me for ‘taking, walking, speaking’ cricket in most things I write and talk about. That’s not too strange in a nation where the game is a religion. However, when a living legend like Ravi Ashwin who’s been around for 18 years and has become India’s second highest wicket taker, suddenly decides to hang up his boots with no ostensible reasons offered, it’s Ashwin’s ultimate carrom ball to his followers& fans compelled to ask ‘Why now ?’ to his fast in-cutting delivery – ‘Why not now’ ?
For better part of last week, glowing tributes and statistical eulogies have pervaded the social media ,from past legends, ex-team-mates, gloomy dressing room comradesto rivals in the opposite camps and ace-presenter Harsha Bhogle to sports scribes like Boria Mazumdar, all have shared their admiringly personal takes on their association, interactions & experiences with the great ‘Offie’ & India’s thinking ‘Anna’ of Cricket. Shocked, sad, disappointed are understatements to fans who followed fascinatingly Ashwin’s tumultuous journey the crescendo of high fives and silence of ‘sitting it out’.
As a movie buff, I recall our love for Western movies where the impassively tough guys after vanquishing baddies, would ‘ride into the sunset’ not waiting for laurels & despite his unceremonious exit (some would say), Ash remains a hero of many battles. A highly illustrious career was obviously drawing to a close but to end like this was an Alfred Hitchcock thriller building up to a climax but curtains came down too soon. Since we’re not averse to drawing parallels, when ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin played his final match at Wankhede & gave an emotional speech, Mumbai stopped for few hours. Why’s India’s most celebrated off-spin wizard not being celebrated for lofty standards in taking a life-changing decision on his terms and make way for many in the wings ?
A lot has been said and we’ll hear more on ‘Ashwin’ saga but what comes as a truly heartwarming tribute is from the person closest to his heart, his wife Priti, that we found in this Sunday’s TOI ! The piece is below – emotional, beautiful and inspiring !
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