An Open Letter to Gautam Gambhir- The King of the Jungle

Dear Gautam Gambhir,

Teardrops- They trace down from the corridors of the eyes; somberly rolls down the cheek, then the neck, down the chest and that’s it- an insignificant drop of water, which evaporates in less than a second. Sounds mechanical- Right? Is it that simple? No, never- it’s a journey, it’s a medium of flashback which takes us down the memory lane, stabs the soul, and takes a piece of the heart along with it.

Can one fake it? No, it’s a product of emotions, which can’t be replicated, unlike a smile, which can be worn at any given moment. However, the smile can be used to fleece the tears, which are raring to flush down. As I pen my thoughts down, red-eyed, with trembling hands and an injured spirit, Mr Gautam Gambhir, let me reiterate this- You were, you are and you would be my HERO, till I breathe my last.

Time Flies… Isn’t it?

“Har Ghadi Badal Raha Hai Roop Zindagi, Chaav Hai Kabhi Hai Dhoop Zindagi, Har Pal Yahan Jee Bhar Jiyo, Jo Hai Sama, Kal Ho Na Ho”

This roughly translates to: ‘Every moment life is changing, sometimes there’s shade, at times sun, Live every moment to the fullest. This very moment may not be there tomorrow.’

Kal Ho Na Ho- Remember? For me, the number was an anthem, albeit, at the age of 12, I was too young to understand the lyrics. Traces of memories from my childhood still remain as I remember a batsman whose cover drives of the front foot in some random ODI against Bangladesh mesmerized me. The ardent fanatic inside me urged to check your profile and I obliged.

Then you were a ‘no one’, even you would agree, but for me, you became ‘someone’. 14 years down the line you are ‘the one and only one for me’. Then it was 2003, now 2018. Then, you were taking baby steps among the big daddies of cricket. And now? I may have to face the bitter reality that I might not see you ever again, not in Indian colours, not even in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

April 26 and April 27- The days were mentally devastating for me, they were daggers into the chest. I survived the first stab (when you stepped as the captain of Delhi Daredevils) as it wasn’t powerful enough to get me on my knees. The next and the fatal one (when you pulled out from the eleven) got my inner soul screeching with pain, anger and most importantly, love.

The childhood song passed the mind- Kal Ho Na Ho- This very moment may not be tomorrow- The moment had already made way for a gloomy future. I still won’t leave any stone unturned and wait for a few more months before the Ranji Trophy starts. White clothing cricket takes me back to 2009 when India toured New Zealand, which ended with a three-Test series.

The exotic relation between challenge and GG

March 28- 2nd Test, Day three, post tea session; India set to surrender their lead of 1-0, they romped to at Hamilton. With a couple of days remaining and with a trail of 314 runs, the writing was on the wall- a thumping Indian defeat. While the practical mind accepted India’s potential fate in the game, the heart rummaged through the factors, maybe illusive, which could save India from a drubbing.

I searched for someone who exemplified assurance from the first ball. Virender Sehwag never was one for the style he employed. You were definitely one, but to expect the literal ‘unrealistic’ task was unfair, especially from someone with an experience of only 23 Tests. As the game progressed, my pessimism gradually took the shape of optimism and inevitable was eventually defied.

137 runs off 436 balls, 10 hours and 43 minutes- the scoreboard screamed. March 30- The day when I understood the relevance of determination and resilience, which was about to shoulder me for the rest of my career. You have become my idol. The same year you were crowned as the number one Test batsman, not once, but twice- life is not always unpleasant (sigh of relief).

Life is not that fair either

April 2, 2011- The country rooted for India in the Final, but after Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar’s dismissal, there was a hush across the entire nation as if they’d seen a monster erupting from the earth. Meanwhile, I was calm as you were yet to drop the gun, ready to counter the venom spewed by the Sri Lankan bowlers especially Lasith Malinga, who was the wrecker in chief.

The strokes from your willow were music to the ears. The mellifluous tone of the ball meeting the bat turned out to be a hymn for the whole country as India surged towards entering history. Following India’s victory, I was expecting you to get the Man of the Match, or maybe share the same with MS Dhoni, but the same didn’t happen and I fumed with anger the entire night as sleep eluded me.

Cometh the occasion, cometh the man

However, I consoled myself with the fact that you would be leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a month’s time. However, I was apprehensive to what extent you would be able to replace Sourav Ganguly. I also knew that they needed something rejuvenating to change their fortunes as the first three seasons served anything, but disappointment.

The Knights couldn’t win in 2011, but a spring in their step was palpable as they seemed set for a mission- for the maiden occasion, the team qualified for the top-four. I was happy and I knew this man would resurrect KKR’s wretched fortunes around. In 2012, when Manoj Tiwary creamed Dwayne Bravo through the leg-side, I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

I wasn’t used to the ecstasy and it took quite a while for me to gather myself and realize that KKR has dethroned the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the champions. A new chapter for the Knights had already begun, the main architect of which was none other than you. In 2014, the feat was repeated and my faith in you and your ethics strengthened further.

The roar that needs to prevail  

Years went by, time passed away in a canter and times are not the same for you (I wish they remain the same for you forever). It’s a pity seeing you, sitting in one corner, helpless and dejected, with a ‘Gambhir’ look, with loads of questions flooding the brain, plethora of unfinished desires buried inside the heart and with hazy pictures of dreary future marring the sanctity of the mind.

As I write the epilogue of my letter, I would like to bring forth an excerpt from a poem by Harivansh Rai Bachchan- Agneepath

“Tu Na Thakega Kabhi, Tu Na Thamega Kabhi, Tu Na Mudega Kabhi, Kar Shapath! Kar Shapath! Kar Shapath! Agneepath! Agneepath! Agneepath!”

This roughly translates to, ‘You shall never tire, You shall never slow down, You shall never turn back, This oath you will take today!  This oath you will fulfil in your life! Take this oath! And walk the Path of Fire, every single day! The oath of fire! Yes, That Path of Fire!’

ROAR, ROAR with ferocity, demolishing the critics and reclaim your position at the helm of the world for that’s where you belong and most importantly, never ever let the fire in the belly die down.

Thanking you,

Signed: An ardent supporter

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