India vs SA test series

 Note: This is another rant from a 14-year old girl that was me. Please excuse any childish innocence.

the India vs SA battle is moving on to the limited overs phase...but, i must say tht we did really well in the Test series...it was always said tht India would not do well in away conditions but it was proved wrong...after the massive loss at the Centurion, the way the team fought back was fantastic...they showed some fight back in the 2nd innings of the first test, but it did not work out then...then Durban was superb...after losing the toss and not a very good start to the first innings, they showed gr8 character...and on the final day of the 3rd test, i thought gambhir did a good job...and the other batsmen as well for seeing off the SA bowlers and getting it to a draw...however, i thought they were in for a chance on day 4 after they had got SA to 130-6, but then a not so good bowling display and bad field settings followed....but anyway we have to give Kallis and Co. the credit. I think Kallis deserved the man of the match and M.O.S award...i really appreciate him and his efforts.... drawing a series after defeats in previous times itself is a big step...next step will b to win a series der...this clearly shows how the team has developed and grown into a mature, strong team..This series has been referred to by most of the cricket greats as a series tht defined Test Cricket and gave it gud life…I agree whole-heartedly wid them…it was an excellent series for both sides and well contested by both, an excellent competition, providing a lot of interest for viewers…and as Graeme smith said, the teams were pretty even.
Test cricket lives up to its name..it is:
A test for character
A test for skill
A test for patience

Anecdotes

Sachin Tendulkar listens implicitly to his brother Ajit Tendulkar and his coach Ramakanth Achrekar. The listening paid off. It was his brother who discovered his talent for cricket and today, we have the little master to be proud of. It was his coach, Achrekar who moulded his cricket in his initial years of training which helped him evolve into a good cricketer. After his 200 in ODIs, Sachin called him up and asked him whether he has any areas to improve. Such was his respect to his coach. He also used to listen to his late father Ramesh Tendulkar, who taught him life's values, which made him not only a good cricketer but also a good human being. He dedicated his 50th test ton to his father. Sachin, today, is a role model to many. By this example, it can be understood that if you listen once, you need not suffer later.
Mohinder Amarnath was the most criticized player in the world when he went out of form. When he got bowled in a match without scoring any runs, the papers were full of long articles about it. Immediately, he was dropped for the next series. But, he did not give up. He scored consistently in the Ranji Trophy editions and picked up a lot of centuries and a double century which took Delhi home in a Ranji Trophy final. The selectors had no choice but to pick him after all this and he was picked for an India – Pakistan series. Again, the papers were full of articles opposing the selectors’ decision. But finally, it turned out to be only Mohinder Amarnath and Sunil Gavaskar who managed to handle the best Pakistani bowlers, Imran khan, Sarfaraz nawaz, etc. and pick up centuries. Mohinder Amarnath scored 3 or four centuries in that series. When he was dropped again, despite his roaring form, Imran Khan himself came and said “In my team, Amarnath and Srikkanth would never be dropped”. Clive Lloyd too was said to have said something like that. Such was Mohinder Amarnath’s grit and determination. To get back again, he again scored heavily in the Ranji trophy matches. The more the critics opened their mouths the more centuries he picked.  He finally got on to the 1983 World Cup squad which eventually won that cup and he was named Man of the Match of the semi finals and the finals. He was such a determined person and refused to listen to people who spoke ill of him without really knowing who he was…sometimes it is good to be criticized….
 Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, despite losing an eye was a very good player.. He batted well and was a sharp fielder. He was not bogged down with the loss of an eye.
“ One small pain now, will lead to much gain later. If you do not take that small pain now, it will lead to greater pain later” – Sadhana
“A stitch in time, saves nine.”
“Inch by inch, everything is a synch. Yard by yard, everything becomes hard” - Sai Baba

 P.S.-This was written when I was 13 years old. It was the first ever 'piece' that I wrote on cricket. This was purely based on what my father told me at that time, so even if you don't agree with what is written, I hope you understand.