Cricket's Maradona does it again

This was supposed to be my day off, time away from the IPL after four matches in six days. But with Shane Warne on the bill in Hyderabad, I knew that I'd be in front of a TV, sooner rather than later. To not watch Warne would be a bit like expecting a teenager to look away when the Washington Redskins cheerleaders were gyrating right in front of him.

In my lifetime, I can think of only two sportsmen who have had that aura about them. Roger Federer and Tiger Woods have come closest to perfection, but neither has ever stirred me in the way that Warne and another maverick genius did.

For most young men of my generation, Diego Armando Maradona was the one. I worshipped Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish, but even tribal loyalties had to be set aside when confronted by the magnificence of Maradona.

Like Warne, he could never steer clear of scandal. Even his finest hour, the 1986 World Cup in Mexico - when he played football from another planet - was tinged with controversy. Warne had his text matches, Maradona had his Hand of God.

Both failed drug tests while at a World Cup, but both illuminated their sports to such an extent that even thinking of a successor is preposterous. Cristiano Ronaldo? Don't make me laugh. Let him win a World Cup on his own and then two league titles with a no-name team like Napoli and then we'll think of a debate.

Warne's exploits at the 1999 World Cup were almost as sublime as Maradona's 13 years previously. Who could possibly forget the ball to Herschelle Gibbs in the semi-final? It was to be his last World Cup, but nine years on, his appetite for a scrap remains undimmed.

The Rajasthan Royals appeared to be down and out when Andrew Symonds was tossed the ball in the final over. Symonds had pummelled Warne ruthlessly earlier in the evening, and wickets falling in a heap late on left the Jaipur team needing 17 from the last six balls.

Pankaj Singh managed three from the first two, leaving Warne to get 14 from four. He needed just three balls, with a four and two sixes sending the Deccan Chargers to a third consecutive defeat after they were installed as pre-tournament favourites.

With Graeme Smith back and immediately into his stride, and Sohail Tanvir and Younis Khan also part of the squad, the Royals are a decent wild-card pick for the semi-finals. And though he went for 47 in his four overs today, Warne's captaincy was again outstanding.

With Adam Gilchrist threatening mayhem, Warne called on the offspin of Yusuf Pathan as early as the third over. Gilchrist was stumped and Shahid Afridi swiped at one wildly. Two wickets in the over, and the early momentum stopped. It required a dazzling innings from Symonds to wrest the initiative back, but on a placid pitch, even 214 wasn't enough.

English batsmen haunted by the ghosts of Adelaide could tell you that as long as Warne's around, the impossible is very much possible. And you can forget about days off.

Comments

[Presh]

Diego Maradona probably was the best football player to grace the game, a lot better than many many many past and present footballers. And he is still a maverick. You need raw talent, you need attitude, you need the courage to carry the expectations on your shoulders. Sportsmen like Sampras, Woods and even Tendulkar epitomise these qualities. But what separates the greatness of these over Maradona and Warne, is they do not have mad streak in them, they do not want to be bad boys, they are happy to be as they are, humble.

However, it never belittles their achievement. I will still look up to Maradona and Warne, as they are simply one of the very best to grace the game.

[Dan Patel]

'Turbanator' slaps 'hyper boy' on the face after hyper boy supposedly makes a 'rude' comment to the 'doosra' boy.

Hyper boy starts crying like a little baby.

Oh my Gawd I just love this.

IPL, India and Bollywood at its best.

What the heck happened to 'real' cricket?

Last rites and funeral details to be announced soon.

Please note: cheer leaders and gold painted helmets and pads will NOT be allowed at the service!

[Ernesto]

Hi Dear Dileep:
I'm from Argentina.
I agree with you about Maradona, he was the best football player of the world, and I don't see today another who can be better than him.
Is right that Ronaldo should win a word cup or a club's title playing with players of low level than Machester's players who are wonderful ( Tevez, Giggs, Rooney, Scholes, Nanni, and more )
I don't know about cricket, in Argentina that sport is full unknowed.
Bye. Very good comment

[Alex Penn]

I am sorry but comparing Warne to Maradona is ludicrous on all levels.