Opportunity. It knocks on your door in unimaginable ways. Invisible to most. Sighted by a few. And those who do, create history. India's tour of Australia 2020-2021. Three individuals made their debut. And one made his debut across all formats. Unprecedented but true.
Natrajan went to Australia as a net bowler. He wanted to taste Test cricket. We wanted him to taste test cricket. Injuries to front-line bowlers paved the way for him making international debuts in all three formats. Sports, I tell you. Stuff you cannot plan but only dream of. He was nailing Yorkers for Sunrisers Hyderabad. And then the world came calling.
There were two more debuts on the tour - Siraj and Sundar. Siraj lost his father soon after the team landed in Australia. He decided to stay on. Picked up 13 wickets, including a five-for at the Gabba. Apart from his bowling, his virtues and honesty resonated with the cricket fan inside us.
The visuals of him in tears while singing the National anthem are still fresh in public memory. In another heartwarming gesture, he rushed to check on Cameron Green after he was hit on the head while bowling in a practice match, not bothering about taking a run.
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All this against a team which has competitiveness, aggression and revenge in their blood. Siraj's performance resurrected a new brand of cricket for every aspiring cricketer to emulate - play it tough, yet fair. Compete with spirit. Be aggressive without losing dignity & grace.
Sundar ecstatically put to rest the speculations regarding his selection by picking 3 wickets and scoring a match-defying half century. His batting heroics at the Gabba had the Aussies scratching their head. Who has forgotten his 'no-look' six to Nathan Lyon.
The Triple Debutants stood up for the team's cause in the absence of first team players. Are you celebrating the fortress beach today? You can't without remembering these special performances. Who took on the opportunity, made it their responsibility & created history. That's what people who grasp opportunities do.
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