Yesterday marked the end of an era. An era of class, artistry, mastery, skill, perfection, courage, spirit, resilience, pride and honour personified on the field. I have been blessed to be a part of this era, where there have been extremely talented cricketers, but extremely few who is even worth comparing to this man. Humble as always he bid adieu yesterday!! And he asked just one question to the public. “Did I entertain??” As if he even had to ask!! The answer was an overwhelming and not surprising, YES!! And am sure he would treasure that than the numerous man of the match awards
Eyes welling up he shared one dream of his that did not come true! To take the Windies back to the dizzy heights of dominance that they once possessed… Though the team could not do it, this individual sure did. The best of the bowlers always thought, on his day, he’s one of the most difficult men to bowl to!! Even the “language” friendly Aussies confessed that this individual was one that they never would sledge, for he is twice as dangerous when provoked
Hands down, he is the most stylish left hander of the last 2 decades. He’s one of those who can take you to the heaven and back with one innings. The one part that am not too impressed with was his susceptibility to controversies. He was caught in too many of those that it started affecting his game at times. He was always a player who produced magic in pieces. Am sure his scoring pattern would be one of the most skewed ones for a player of his class
He stood tall amidst the ruins that the team was! Like a Candle in the Wind! Only the wind was too strong. He is one of the reasons I liked Windies cricket and am sure he’ll be one of the reasons that many youngsters took to or will aspire to take up this game as their path of life. If ever I have a son, I would pray he is left handed.
I bow to thee, Brian Charles Lara, for the great entertainer you have been, for adding craft to an already beautiful game, for adding flair and passion to batting, for all that you did to cricket in general. Finally, For the very fact that we could watch a providential reincarnation, perform to us.
The fact that you did entertain would remain in the memory of each individual that ever was gifted to set eyes on you. It would be etched on the sands of time for generations to see. And I’ll drink to that!! You certainly were one of a kind, and may you rest in peace!!! For, with you dies an era of magnificence… the splendour of which mere adjectives can’t describe.
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