Thread by @srikantkesnur

Brilliant @realkaypius. Share your lament about the nation largely being unaware of @abhilashtomy & his stupendous feat. I love cricket but despair, like you, on how IPL mania had obscured our finest sporting achievement. Folks @abhilashtomy is at the gates of glory and set

https://twitter.com/realkaypius/status/1651624584767225857

2/n. To create history. To put in cricketing terms, Tomy combines the temperament of @msdhoni, fitness of @imVkohli, skill of @sachin_rt, passion of #sauravganguly, commitment of @anilkumble1074, artistry of @VVSLaxman281, fortitude of @rahuldravid_ind, swag of @virendersehwag,

3/n. articulation of #sunilgavaskar, chutzpah of @RaviShastriOfc, versatility of @ravichandranas4 & all-round skills of #Kapildev. The other day @harshabhogle007 in his commentary said that nothing can match the variables of pitch in cricket. In the context of the game & its

4/n. Impact on the outcome it was understandable. However, I invite him to look at the caprices in Seas & Oceans, of winds & tides, of pressure & temp, of latitudes & longitude, of heavy traffic & isolated outposts. And these are just some of the challenges in Ocean Sailing.

5/n. Thus, if cricket is the game of glorious uncertainties, Ocean Sailing is the sport of 'madmen' where very few succeed. One reason why the Solo Circumnavigation club has lesser numbers than Everesters or those who have gone to outer space. @abhilashtomy is achieving a podium

6/n. Finish in a field traditionally dominated by the West. He has done this after a near death experience in same race in 2018. With no disrespect to anyone his participation in few years after breaking his vertebra at 5 places & having titanium rods fuse them is the mother of

7/n. All comebacks. He has spent 234 days at sea, all alone, no touch with family & friends. In a field of 16 participants who began @ggr2022 there are only 3 remaining & he is in second position. The difference between him & the Leader is just about 100 miles which is a photo

8/n. Finish in Ocean Sailing. Or to use cricket analogy, match being decided on the last ball of a 5 day test. He may have won it too but for the battering his small boat has received & key turn of weather at a crucial stage. Talk of variables. Not that it fazes @abhilashtomy

9/n. One bit. Apart from all the virtues above, he is a philosopher, a wit, an extremely wellread human being. His only race is against himself, his only quest to be one with elements. The race was for him to conquer the demons of 2018, but his only competition is himself. But

10/n. For us it's a stirring superhuman tale of incredible exploits. So, we the Maritime Fraternity hope that in a few hours when he crosses the finish line, the Nation will cheer as one. And Cricket & Cricketers will pause to salute this legend. Or am I asking for too much?

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