What I learnt from each of the Fab 5

The Fab 5Virender Sehwag’s retirement on his 37th birthday on Tuesday brought to an end a golden phase in Indian cricket, which saw the likes of himself, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly bring several laurels to the country with their performances all around the world.Each of the five players had distinct traits and we as fans can certainly inculcate several qualities from each one of them.Here’s what I learnt from the Fab 5:

#1 Sourav Ganguly

In the year 2000, a 28-year-old left-hander from Kolkata took over the reigns of the Indian Cricket team after the match-fixing scandal had left a deep impact on the game. One of Sourav Ganguly’s immediate commitments involved improving India’s dismal overseas record and also ensuring it competed against the best in the world.

The decision to appoint him the captain seemed to have paid off from the word go as India reached the finals of the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2000, where they lost to New Zealand and then the following year, scripted a remarkable come from behind win Test series win against Australia at home.

The success at home started to reciprocate abroad as well soon enough, as, under Ganguly’s leadership, India drew a Test series in England and Australia, won a Test series in Pakistan and reached the finals of the World Cup in 2003.

The reign also saw the emergence of several future stars like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh etc blossom and develop into match-winning cricketers. Ganguly captained India in 49 Tests, out of which India won 21 and will without doubt go down as one of India’s finest captains, in its rich cricketing history.

What I learnt from him: Regardless of how strong the opposition is, don't give in so easy. Fight fire-with-fire and don't be shy to give it back when needed.

#2 Rahul Dravid

They say that “Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful”. One man who always accepted challenges with open arms was Rahul Dravid. Opening the batting when the team needed it. Keeping wickets when the team required flexibility. Batting in tough conditions like at Headingley in 2002. He did them all.

Dravid was the sort of guy who would do everything which would benefit his side in the smallest of ways possible.He hated keeping wickets but did so since that meant India could play the extra batsman.

He wasn't the most flamboyant of batsman which led to his place being in doubt during the start of his career in the ODI setup. But like all great players, he worked on his game and evolved himself into an outstanding finisher, particularly during the Ganguly-era.

As a captain, Dravid led India to series wins in West Indies and England and led by example on various occasions, like the test in Jamaica in 2006 or opening the batting in stinging conditions in Pakistan in 2006.

While many didn't consider him to be aggressive, he showed his aggression with the bat in hand. Also, his exemplary manner of conducting himself outside the field added to his character and he became a role model for many an upcoming cricketer.

What I learnt from him: Always be willing to evolve. Be ready to accept challenges and see how well you can perform.

#3 Sachin Tendulkar

During the time between 2001 and until the 2007 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar was perhaps the most feared batsman in international cricket. He scored in every corner of the world at the time and against the best fast bowlers in the world.

For Tendulkar, playing for India was always his dream. He said it on numerous occasions that he was living his dream of playing for his country and representing his nation on the international platform and for almost 25 years, he did so with distinction scaling several matchless heights.

One of Tendulkar’s greatest aspects was his ability to always become better at his trade and change his game as and when it required him to do so. During the 2003-04 tour to Australia, he was dismissed outside the off-stump on more than one occasion in the first three Tests and in the final Test at Sydney, he played an absolute masterclass, which saw him not cover drive even a single delivery en route to an unbeaten 241*.

His biggest dream while playing for India was winning the World Cup and in his sixth attempt in 2011 at home, he realised it in front of his home fans at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Tendulkar retired in 2013 from all forms of international cricket and will certainly go down as the greatest player to have ever graced the game.

What I learnt from him: Whatever your dream is, no matter how small. chase it, live it and make them come true. Always look to make alterations to meet the challenges that come your way and never stop learning.

#4 VVS Laxman

They say that true strength of character comes out in adversity and one man who brought out his best during every difficult scenario was VVS Laxman. It started off with that innings at Kolkata in 2001, when India were in dire straits and staring at a certain defeat. With India trailing by 274 runs in the second innings, he came out to bat at number 3 and played perhaps the greatest innings by an Indian, scoring a monumetal 281 and paving the way for a famous Indian win.

As his career moved on, Laxman established himself as the man of the fourth(sometimes third innings). Efforts in Johannesburg in 2006, Perth 2008, Mohali 2010 and Durban 2010 are some of the instances where the Hyderabadi displayed exceptional fighting qualities and bailed the team out succesfully.

Laxman was also a master when it came to batting with the tail and ensured that India always got the vital extra runs from them that proved to be the critical diffference in the end.

What I learnt from him: Keep a clear mind and a calm approach while tackling a crisis. Show faith in your fellow teammate and communicate your thoughts clealy to him.

#5 Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag’s contribution to cricket will always go down as some on who redefined the role of an opener. Bursting onto the scene in 2001, Sehwag opened for the first time in 2002 in England and made an impression in the very first innings scoring an 84 at Lords.

As the years went by, Sehwag played many a monumental innings at the top like the 195 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Australia, 309 at Multan and 254 at Lahore against Pakistan, 319 against South Africa at Chennai etc.

But while he gave much joy to many a spectator with his batting, his technique or lack of it came back to haunt him at many a situation. But it didn't deter him. He continued to bat in his own manner. His own style.

Sehwag’s retirement on Tuesday brought to an end a golden period in Indian cricket and during the time the five played together, it sure was a joy to watch each of them in action.

What I learnt from him: Have your own way of dealing with situations and back your method no matter what. Don't worry about criticism and prove your critics wrong with your performances.