The Finisher

Let me take you back in time, almost 10 years ago...

The Kumar-Mahela show has ended, and Sri Lanka have posted a rather daunting 298

It is all the more daunting when Sachin is dismissed by Chaminda Vaas, the score is 7

In walks a slightly different kind of Indian cricketer, 

Shoulder length hair, but powerfully built, and he likes to run hard

He has a casual air about him, unflappable and assured, almost happy-go-lucky

He's shown glimpses of his talent in international cricket, especially at the finish

A brilliant hundred to propel India to 350 against Pakistan

A quickfire 37* to take India home against New Zealand chasing 279 in Harare

A sparkling  67* when India were reduced to 91/5 after 24 overs chasing 250+ 2 days later

And he likes to finish things off in style...

He's already turning heads, in a team that has Sehwag, Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid and Yuvraj at their peak

And now his skipper has thrust him into the spotlight...

And he does what he does best... delivers with no fuss... 

Its almost anticlimactic, its raining sixes in Jaipur, but you feel like you're always in the eye of a hurricane

177 insane runs later, the match is won, but there's one thing left... finishing with a flourish...

A heave over mid-wicket, the only real way that match could've ended, 23 balls unbowled...

And Indian cricket knew right then, they had found somebody special... really special!

Lets turn back the clock again, this time not so long ago...

Its 2011, and all of India are on edge

its the same opposition but on the grandest stage of them all

Its a tricky target, and Sachin and Sehwag have already departed...

But this time our man is the captain and promotes himself...

You of course, remember the rest... and that finish... you will never forget that finish!

Its happened so many times, that people no longer just took it for granted

They demanded it every single time

And now they demand his head on a platter... 

even though they must know there will never be another like him

and what he has done for Indian cricket can never be understated

But I know our captain... His career will finish, as all must, but he will do it in style