Picking up the pieces

THE last time Herschelle Gibbs played in England, he was told this by the opposing captain: 8216;8216;Son, you8217;ve just dropped the Wo...

THE last time Herschelle Gibbs played in England, he was told this by the opposing captain: 8216;8216;Son, you8217;ve just dropped the World Cup8217;8217;. That happened, of course, in that famous world cup semi-final which Australia won at the death. Such a heavy burden of guilt would have shattered the confidence of any other player but Herschelle Gibbs has just got on with the job.

When he walked in to bat at Edgbaston on Thursday, the odds were stacked against him. His fellow opener was in his debut Test as captain, he8217;d had a modest run in the ODI series, the English media had written them off and his team was still trying to get over the debacle of the World Cup at home. He took the game by the scruff of his neck and, when he left the ground it was after scoring 178 in a record opening stand with Graeme Smith.

Gibbs had long been an enigma. Immensely talented with the hint of a Michael Slater 8212; if not Gordon Greenidge 8212; in his all-round play, Gibbs has an uncomplicated sledgehammer-style batting approach. Barry Richards has an apt description of Gibbs: 8216;8216;He isn8217;t necessarily the sharpest card in the pack. Team management should not burden him with game plans and undue responsibility.8217;8217;

If not Mike Brearley, he certainly isn8217;t dour Geoffrey Boycott either; Gibbs has taken every serious problem in his life with a sense of humour and gained strength from it. When his role in Cronjegate earned him a six-month ban, he said it would be good for his golf. Gibbs may never be rated as the best batsman or be deemed fit to lead his side. Every once in a while, though, he will give fans 8212; like those at Edgbaston 8212; an innings to remember.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More