Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Pankaj Singh was in shock Monday morning. He called up his parents, brothers to tell that 8216;Bob Sir was no more.8217; But 8220;who Bob,8221; came the query from the other end 8212; his family back home isn8217;t well versed about cricket except bare facts. 8220;The same man, remember, who taught me a few tricks of the trade, coach of Pakistan team.8221;
His heart skipped a beat. Four months ago at Jaipur, Pankaj8217;s 6-5 frame and searing pace had caused almost a similar upset like Ireland when he triggered a batting collapse of a near-full strength Pakistani team that played a warm-up game ahead of its Champions Trophy. With four wickets, Pankaj had knocked off the Pakistan top-order 8212; Bob Woolmer just smiled and watched.
8220;I remember those words, every time I play a match. Bob had no obligation to come to me and tell me. He was a world-renowned coach and I was just a youngster,8221; recalled the 22-year old sitting in the Ferozeshah Kotla dressing room on Wednesday. 8220;It was his humility that touched me, a few minutes with him, indeed, changed me a lot.8221;
Pankaj is in his third season now and has taken his team Rajasthan into the semi-finals of the Premier Cup. His economical spell today paved the way in restricting Karnataka to a modest total and is getting better with each season. There are many more who carry fond memories and cherish their interaction with Woolmer. Pankaj8217;s story is just one of them. Or probably, the last one.
