... it is said that the game is always bigger than the individual.
But what when the whole game itself decides that it should stand as one to salute the individual ???
What if the World Cup which has seen empty stadiums so far, for this last game produces a grand setting with several thousand supporters cheering for one man ??
What when those supporters are not just of his own nation but also of the opposing team and from every other nation that understands this the greatest game of all ??
What when the opening batsman after playing a splendid innings gets out but rather than feeling disappointed hugs the indivdual on his way in coming in ?
What when the whole world cricket community stands up in applause ??
What when the opposition provide the guard of honour right at the time he walks in ?
What when even the umpires don't feel like being left out ?
What when that individual has scored over 20000 runs and broken nearly all individual records in batting ?
What when that individual has time and again single-handedly carried a pathetic team, on occasions, declaring it was upto him to bail the team out and then gone on to live up to his word producing some of the most amazing unbelievable innings in living memory ?
What when he has given every cricket lover in the World moments to cherish for a lifetime ? Strokeplay that will quench the thirst of the most insightful eyes ? Produced innings of audacity in times of most difficult and challenging circumstances ? Been a source of inspiration and joy to all and sundry ?
What when that individual is a living legend ? The Last King Of Trinidad ? The last link to an era of glory in one of the ancient powers in cricket that is now in ruins ? A beacon shining amidst a heap of coal ?
What when that individual answers to the name of "Sir" Brian Charles Lara ?
It is at moments like these that World Cricket stops .... to salute one man ... to salute the greatest batsman of the modern era ... and of the rare magicians the game has every produced ...
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