The charm of batting

I see batsmen in the park slogging everyday..Something which is necessary in today’s game, they say..It’s something which fetches them some runs..& they are considered to be big batting guns..

It’s something which I don’t prefer watching others do..Because I want batsmanship to be true..But these sloggers prevail in the system anyway..& it’s in these moments, technique-oriented batsmen lose their way..

You want to hit sixes, hit them..Sir Viv used to smack many six-gems..But he wasn’t a slogger, he ain’t a slogger..He was a spectator’s dream, & every bowler’s torture..

Same for Pollock, Sobers & Sachin,They are true class all the way..Because their technique have absolute substance,not a slogger’s, making hay..

I am not at all tagging slogging as bad..But too much of it, is..A little amount of it is quite good..just like drinks complemented by a little fizz..

But just like we can’t have desserts for main course,& the other way round..Slogging can never match the essence of pure-technique,on any day, on any ground..

Because nothing is more beautifulthan Rahul Dravid‘s forward defense..& his exquisite square cutwhich races away to the fence..

Ricky Ponting‘s pull,& Sangakarra’s cover drive..Lara’s late adjustments,& Sachin’s front-foot straight-drive..

You run out of wordsto describe the purity of these..There aren’t probably many things,which make eyes so pleased..!

All I wanted to say is,Let batting be a blend of all:Of class,Of technique,Of timing,& alsoOf improvisations,Of a bit cheeky-ness at times,Of finding the gaps in the field,Of hitting the ball in the air..Whilst maintaining a balance of ‘em all..Because batting is an artWhich has made many fallIn love for this beautiful game after all!