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How often have you heard the phrase, "I told you so!" in a cricket conversation. Over a beer after the defeat in Nagpur, several grown men would have ranted to each other, "These buggers can't handle the pace of Steyn, I told you so". And after the win in Kolkata, the same lot, in back-slapping mode now, would have opined; "I told you man, these South Africans are chokers"! Theory is cricket's mistress, by its bedside at all times.
Perhaps Sachin Tendulkar's greatest accomplishment is to have murdered that phrase from all conversations that feature him! Who would dare say, "I told you so buddy, at the start of his 21st year of international cricket, Tendulkar will make 5 centuries in 2 months!". Or this: "I told you so, he will one day go beyond Bradman among cricket's divinity". It is unlikely that even with a copious amount of brew in their system too many would have theorised, "Although Sehwag, Gayle and Dilshan are around, the first double hundred in One-Day Cricket will belong to Sachin Tendulkar, I am telling you!"
But since Gwalior, it is the theorist in me that has been celebrating one fleeting moment. And for a change it isn't an "I told you so" one! In Christchurch last March, Tendulkar made 163 on a hexagonal field in a mere 133 balls. With 5 overs to go he was forced to retire with a back spasm. India won, he was man of the match and appeared for the standard post match media conference. And clear as day, I remember asking him, "Sachin, why is it that a double hundred has never been made in One-Day cricket. Did you at any point think today that you could get one?". He patiently heard the bumbling question and responded, "Give us enough overs and we will do it!", to squeals of laughter in the room. He himself smiled and turned away to face the next question.
Hah, so Sachin, you were wrong after all! YOU proved you wrong! There were always enough overs. And while you cleverly used the word "us", what you really were saying was, "There will be a day when I will bat 50 overs and make a double century. Just wait and watch. For now, I will give you a chuckle". Tendulkar, we often hear, sets goals. But doesn't share them. The theorist in me is tempted to think this was one. But hey, while no one can really say, "I told you so, Sachin will one-day make a One-Day double hundred", I can always claim, "Sachin, I asked you so!"
Now to the next dare. Are any of you out there willing to stick your necks out and say: "I am telling you, there is no way Sachin Tendulkar can make a triple century in Test cricket". The next time I face up to the great man, I will certainly ask him so! Who knows, I may be on to something here?
