The fantastic four of Indian Cricket
In a time frame, where an Indian product was finding it tough to stand firm in the globalised market, few men left a mark on the pages of history. A mark so deep in stature that gave them a place on the Wall of the Greats. They have raised benchmarks so height, that generations to come would strive to achieve those. Such has been the impact of the Fantastic Four of the Indian Cricket team - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
The fact that intrigues the most is their wide perspective towards the game. As they were world class batsmen, their contribution in the team's success was not only limited to runs. We measure players not merely by their stats but by their individual contribution to the team's success.
Defining each individual
Rahul Dravid was a player who could bat for hours and hours with no hint of depleting concentration. He rarely bowled and to our amazement, he has a few wickets to his name. He was a fielder who gave everything to every ball that came his way. When the team needed, he even kept wickets. He was a captain under whom India has the record for the most consecutive run chases in ODIs. Now think, is there a department left where Dravid did not contribute? The answer is NO.
VVS Laxman's wristy flicks and drives were as much a joy for the eye as his fighting warrior spirit. His expertise in constructing partnerships with the lower order batsmen sent a shiver down the opponents spines. Laxman's 281 against the invincible Australian attack at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and 73* against the same opponent in Mohali in 2010 are some of the most incredible innings you would ever see in Test Cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar, a person whom no one wanted as his opponent, was a destructor. He demolished rivals with his heavy runs, broke their back with his ferocious spin bowling and when the opposition thought he could contribute no more, he fielded brilliantly. He was a player who inspired the next generation of cricketers. He created an interest in the game which wasn't there before. More than the records, the respect he commands shows his stature in the game.
Sourav Ganguly was an aggressive captain, an elegant left-handed batsman and a master in his own craft. He had a formula - Any match can be won if it is well fought till the end. He came in as captain at a time when India was trying to lift their spirits up after the Match fixing controversy. It was a difficult time, but Ganguly did a commendable job. Transforming a team of 11 individual members into a well bonded unit is a work of the captain which Ganguly handled brilliantly. He introduced some new elements in the team in the name of Zaheer, Yuvraj, Harbhajan among others and the move paid off.
With all their individual characteristics, they were gentlemen on the field. They taught the world how to play cricket in a manner never played before. The impact of their presence destroyed oppositions physically and mentally. And now, they are back! Back in a different avatar, but with the same purpose! It is safe to say, that the future of Indian Cricket is in safe hands.