A couple of weeks back, I had written a post about the decline of India's batting legend, Sachin Tendulkar. I had argued- he has lost his edge, and age and injury has slowed him down physically. He seems mentally fatigued as he lets the opposition get on top of him rather than dictate play- over the last two years, he has not performed under any sort of pressure. That is what makes him merely good, not great in my view. Since I wrote that, I have not been popular amongst my friends, particularly Indian cricket fanatics who worship Tendulkar.
I wish they would all could have seen Tom Brady in action today. For those who dont American Football, Brady is the Quarterback of the New England Patriots, a team that has won the Superbowl on three of the last five occasions. Today's performance was classic Brady- against the No.1 seed and best team in the league, San Diego Chargers, New England was trailing for most of the game. In fact, half way into the fourth quarter, they were still behind by a good eight points. Then, just when the team needed great inspiration, Brady produced a magical run of passes to tie the game at 21 all and then in the very last minute, edge it past the Chargers to win 24-21. Intense pressure, intense scrutiny, intense time crunch and Brady rose to the occasion.
And he does it time and time again- the best record in the fourth quarter in Post season history, the most number of come-from-behind victories in the league.
Performing under that sort of pressure and taking the entire team with you is what separates the great from the merely good. Brady is great, while Tendulkar is quickly joining the ranks of the merely good.
As far as the Football season goes, it will be a fantastic battle next Sunday between the two best Quarterbacks in America- Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Let the battle of the greats continue!
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1 comment:
This didn't age well.
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