You introduced me to my life and got me living,
Because of you, my existence found a meaning.
I remember the day when I first saw you bat
Your genius left even an ignorant kid flat.
It was in 1996, forever I’ll cherish the occasion
You ignited a spark of interest which is now my passion.
You scored a hundred and gave me my first cheer.
We lost that game and I cried my first cricket tear!
You gave me a Team I could proudly call ‘mine’
And the strength to support it, till the end of time.
I feel the rush of patriotism every time you lift your bat
And with pride in your eyes kiss the Tri-colour on your helmet.
You held Our Team together when all seemed to fall apart
Till you were our saviour, even in disaster I didn’t lose heart.
Every run you’ve scored, has brought a smile on my face
Each word you’ve said has in my heart, left a permanent trace.
Whenever life has got cruel, you’ve got it back in full bloom
It just takes a swing of your bat to bring the sun out from gloom
You’ve been the answer to my most desperate prayers
Like a messiah, you’ve fetched success from shadows of failures
Every moment you’ve spent on the field has been a lifetime for me
I’ve lived them all with a deluge of emotions -pride, despair, anger and glee.
With every joy you’ve granted me, I’ve been greedy for more.
And you’ve been an angel whose generosity has never turned sore.
At times when you failed, I refused to accept you too are human
But silently and patiently, you lugged the burden of my expectation
There might have been times when you just couldn’t take the pain
But you hid it behind your gritty face and played for us even with severe strain
I’ve been the most blessed of all beings, to have had a hero like you,
Your existence makes me believe, there’s a supreme power above too.
After years of being spellbound by your genius, I still crave for more
I pray that you go on forever, can’t help being selfish to the core.
I wish I could thank you for everything but I dare not try.
How does one thank the Almighty for bringing a body to life?
So, I call upon your deity; by your side may he forever stand,
And fulfill all your dreams, may your wish be his command!!!