Thread by @KShriniwasRao

The joy of Test cricket…

#Thread

Let me begin with a flashback. The year is 2014. India lose 1-3 in England & land in Australia three months later. Another challenge beckons. MS Dhoni is under pressure. A change in captaincy is round the corner. (1/25)

There’s little doubt who the next captain is going to be. He’s just turned 26. The Aussies hate His guts (rather, love to hate His guts). He loves how they hate Him. He makes statements, stands up for His team, picks up fights for the team, scores tons. (2/25)

A tiger is marking territory. The pugmarks are all over. “They were calling me a spoilt brat. I know you guys hate me. I like that,” He says.

They hate Him all the more.

Go you YouTube and search for His press conference from 2015 Jan. It's a classic! (3/25)

There is little doubt He’s itching to take control of the team. He wants it badly, because He has ideas – fresh, aggressive, in your face, backed with performances. “A transformation is taking place. The dressing room pack is watching a leader in the making”. (4/25)

16 runs short of his 3rd century in the series at MCG, He gets hit by Mitch Johnson’s unnecessarily aggressive throw. That’s it – the Aussies don’t know where to hide. India draw Boxing Day Test but He wins the battle of words.

Dhoni realizes the baton must pass now. (5/25)

India arrive at SCG & Aussies raise the bar. 572 batting first – Smith, Warner crack centuries. India are 97-2. Out walks the man & belts out 147.

141, 115, 169, 147 – by the time the series is over, Aussies realize the hard way it’s best to leave Him alone. (6/25)

India stay back in Oz for the World Cup and return home just in time for the IPL. But behind the scenes, a lot is happening already. “This is My team”, He declares. Those who ‘don’t get it’ must make way. Even Anil Kumble is no exception. He is His own man. (7/25)

The Aussies arrive in India two seasons later. He’s waiting. “Brainfade” happens, & He pounces on them. They call him “Trump”. He stops short of calling them ‘cheats’.
Another reminder it’s best not to mess with Him.
India win the series 2-1. But His mind is elsewhere. (8/25)

The new India captain is not so interested in easy pickings at home as much as He’s interested in proving his point overseas. He has a ‘plan’. For the plan to fall in place, He wants a coach who shares his vision. Ravi Shastri must return. (9/25)

From there begins the planning of a blueprint that must last the next 5 years – S Africa, England Australia; Australia, England, S Africa.

This backstory is important.

Everything that begins to happen from this moment is result of a single-minded vision – win abroad. (10/25)

It tells you how India’s 32nd Test captain didn’t become one for lack of choice, by just being in the right place at the right time, by way of being a ‘senior’, by way of just scoring runs.

He became captain because He wanted to. In that lies the story of this thread. (11/25)

The story of a boy-turning-man who had a vision, had the hunger for it, and would pick on any and everyone who came in between. On Jan 16, 2022, when He quit as Test captain, there was no passing of the baton. Exactly 10 years ago, this wasn’t the script. (12/25)

I remember a 2011 evening in Barbados. I wrapped up work & dinner & stepped out for a drink. India were touring West Indies He was a World Cup-winning cricketer. I was strolling by the St Lawrence Gap – Barbados’ party street. There He was, with that 'devil may care'. (13/25)

Surrounded by fans & friends, He danced His way into the midnight, just like any 22-yr-old starry-eyed. Punjabi pride. No inhibitions.

Nothing like the man we know today.

What I saw of Him that night and what I’ve seen of Him post 2014 are two extreme versions of life. (14/25)

Between 2012, when Star first bought rights for Indian cricket, & 2014, when the fresh cycle began, the broadcaster identified one crucial aspect: Everything over the next few years would have to revolve around This man.

The transition had brought massive results. (15/25)

From toss to celebration of a wicket to marshalling the field, to dressing room antics, speaking to media, to what He ate, who He fought with – every single moment would be central to all telecast. “He’s the one people will pay to watch,” the man who ran Star told me. (16/25)

Test cricket was busy moving from the hospital bed to ICU between 2011 & 2014. IPL had taken centre-stage, India winning the 50-over WC & later Champions Trophy had added to the white-ball sheen. It was easy to look the other way. It was easy to stay 'white-ball icon'. (17/25)

Here's where, the gatekeepers of the format owe Him a great deal. If Test cricket has found its way into the hearts and minds of the present generation, it owes this man a good deal of it. He’s the one who ‘sexed’ it up.

'Ben Stokes', I’ll give you plenty of reasons. (18/25)

Ricky Ponting had this habit of spitting into his palms. Opponents hated the idea of shaking hands. Our man did no such thing. He had no time to shake hands (formalities aside). He decided between being a ‘gentleman’ and ‘winning at all costs’, He’d rather just ‘win’. (19/25)

“I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to play cricket.”

Everything He did has made Test cricket watchable. Even the quirks. His opinions, sarcasm, anger, cover-drives, sledges, work ethics, fitness. Everything.

Media always got a handful too, mouthful rather. (20/25)

His 71st has been in the waiting for a while and each time he walks out to bat, millions are tuning in to see if today’s going to be the day. On March 5, when He walks out at Mohali, they’ll tune in again. The 71st is already as big as the 100th 100. (21/25)

Those who administer the game speak in hushed tones about His ‘greatness’. They silently whisper the acknowledgment of his contribution to the format. He didn’t earn top-dollar from the format. Nobody does. But he earned the format top-dollar. (22/25)

The first time He stepped on the field this year, not as captain (ODIs), people asked ‘why’s camera not panning on Him’.

Ahead of His 100th, Twitter's raising a stink for crowd not being allowed at the stadium.

Like him or not -- but ignoring has never been an option. (23/25)

Oppositions are in awe of Him. Some detest, but a vast majority revers. Media in UK and Australia wait endlessly to put His pictures on their pages, run his bytes.

The ICC knew how crucial He was if the first edition of the WTC had to succeed. He knows what He’s done. (24/25)

And that's where His lovely arrogant streak stems from.

Who's this 'He' anyway?

He’s cricket’s Heisenberg. Hashtag him and ‘Say His Name’. Twitter will be ‘Breaking Bad’ this week. : )

(Ends)