This must be the curse of the year 2012; I mean what other explanation you can give to the sudden downfall of one of the biggest names in the Sports industry.
Think about it, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Shahid Afridi, Steven Gerrard all best at what they do and suddenly people are questioning their talents and skills?
Afridi does not get to play ODIs against arch rivals India.
Dhoni is being questioned on his captaincy.
People are asking Gerrard to step down.
I am sorry if I sound clichéd but if you cannot accept them at their worst, you don’t deserve them at their best. If we call ourselves their fans, who gave us the right to judge, and pass on a verdict on their performance in a game they are best at.
I understand that there comes a time when a sportsman has to step down from his responsibilities up front but that in no way means he does not know how to handle the ball anymore. We must know that every sportsman also harbors a personal life, a family and perhaps a bunch of common man problems just like all of us. And money does not solve all problems. I cannot believe that people are even considering removing Dhoni from captaincy! Have they already forgotten victory at World Cup 2011?
Fans all over the world, yell ‘Boom Boom Afridi’ and now just because he couldn’t perform in a last few series, you don’t even include him in the squad. Yes, winning is everything in any game but winning the game comes from a team, not eliminating players. If you think a player is a weak link in your strategy, then turn his weakness into your biggest strength and not ask him to sit on the bleachers.
I consider myself the biggest fan possible of Steven Gerrard and the day he gives up his captain band, I will stand in respect for the greatest mid-fielder to ever walk this planet. He has shown ultimate loyalty to Liverpool and just had his 100th cap for England. He makes a bunch of guys running after a ball, look like a world-class team for crying out loud!
I stand by Gerrard, Afridi and Dhoni and pray for their losing streak to soon turn a new leaf.