My Tribute to Sourav's Comeback

By Prem
December 19 2006

After being dumped from the team, maligned by coach and media, shunned by teammates and written off by everyone, Sourav Ganguly makes a glorious comeback to Team India.

Resolve

He felt the mud that had been splashed on him. He grimaced. The veins throbbed in his temples as the blood rushed to his face.

He had fought well. Fought against alarming odds. He had nobody to fall back on but himself.

His friends had long deserted him. His supporters spoke in hushed voices about the fallen prince. He had a sick feeling in his stomach but he could not throw up. He found breathing difficult. He lay prostrate, struggling to stand, to move , as the conspiring forces gathered around him.

He sighed. His mind wandered and faded. Wandered to a time when he ruled all that he saw. When his vigour both endeared and intimidated. When the very same men out to destroy him now, worshipped him.

He pondered. He may have fallen, but he could not lose... not like this.

With every ouce of energy that remained, he rose. He returned. He stood like a colossus amoung lesser mortals. It was a sight to behold. He would not lose, not now, not ever. And he did not.

Champions are made from something they have deep inside -- a desire, a dream, a vision. They must have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.

He showed what it means to be a champion.