“Dada, who’ll open the innings?” my cousin questioned me.We were chasing a mammoth 76 in a 10 over match. “Let Sumu and Monty open.Vicky’s one down,and I’ll be at 5 or 6 for the slog overs.” I was captaining a team of men aged 11 to 25 against the former champions at the school cricket ground in my village. We eventually won the match and I stripped off my shirt and waved it in the air .I was fondly referred to as Dada.That was just the beginning of my association with the Prince of Kolkatta…Saurav Ganguly.

  Actually,there’s a lot common between me n Saurav… He can bat as well as bowl,so do i. He wears a pendant & jewellery around his neck, and he gets off the bed on his left side every morning!! Ditto me. (There’s a wall on the right side of my bed)

But then, what’s so special about Dada? I mean the real Dada (I’m just an imposter). I suppose most of us will have quite a few ‘good’ things to say about him, now that he’s back with a bang.

I’ve fought everyday , since the past one year to support him.And none of those 313 people gave him a chance.(I didn’t fight on Sundays)

            Dada has taken Indian cricket to a whole new level.The very fact that people like me are writing blogs about cricket and you are reading this,is a vindication of that.(You need’nt switch off,please read on…) I mean,we almost had the last world cup.We actually believe we can win.I don’t recall having this feeling before Dada was the captain.Right now,under Dravid,we have a pretty decent team.4 opening batsmen,3 wicket-keepers,a couple of spinners and the rest… ‘Dheemi gati ke tez golandaz’ (Tune into Maninder singh in hindi for more)…Still,we hope we’ll win!! Incredible. God help Chappel.

I remember one particular incident in the West Indies last year when dada wasn’t in the team and Dravid was Captain.It was a test match.India had amassed 500 plus runs and Dhoni was on fire.He had already hit 6 or 7 sixes, and then he hit one which was caught on the boundary.The fielder said he’d caught it without touching the rope.The umpire wasnt sure about it.The 3^rd umpire was called and the replays couldn’t clear the controversy.Dhoni didn’t walk off.Lara came up to Dhoni , & asked him to walk away.He didn’t.Lara snatched the ball from the umpire,uttered some slang to Dhoni and smashed the ball into the ground.Enter Dravid.He declares the innings and puts an end to the 20 minute long chaos.

I was shocked.What would Dhoni think of his captain?What were others in the dressing room thinking ? I missed Dada.It takes courage to lead n  a lot more of it to stand by your men.Its all in the attitude.Dada is special.He plays with his heart.He backs his men.His men back him. He’s fought against all odds to make it to the team again.And he takes off his shirt everytime he wins a cup!! 

            No wonder then,that you see him in my dreamspace.Infact, shortly after placing his photograph there,he was selected in the Indian team.I persisted and he’s just won the man of the series.Well,I’m keeping my fingers crossed and him up there until the world cup’s over.If India wins,it’ll be an icing on the cake… I just hope Dada does well.