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Journalism of Courage
Indian hospitality is legendary. And when it is extended to legends, it reaches new heights. When cricket8217;s greatest event came to the sub-continent in 1987, the organisers thought of extending an invitation to the greatest cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman himself.
The cricketing diplomat NKP Salve was entrusted the task of wooing Sir Don to India. Salve took a trip to the cricketing shrine in Adelaide, with the hope of hosting the master batsman. As luck would have it, Lady Bradman was not in the best of health and the legend turned down the invitation gracefully. Salve even promised a 24-hour personal doctor for the aging couple from the time they left their home but Bradman8217;s strong defence failed to fall. Had the visit materialised, it would have been the first World Cup match which the Don would have seen live.
A straight from the heart advice by a leading Australian cardiologist to his patients before the 1992 England-Pakistan final was 8212; stay away from cricket. And the World Cup case history showed that the doctor had gauged the pulse right. During the pulsating New Zealand-Pakistan semi-final when Salim Malik departed to the pavilion, so did an agonised soul of a Pakistani fan. The faint-hearted supporter missed out on Inzaman-ul-Haq8217;s heroics and an eventual Pakistan win.
Compiled by Tushar Trivedi, Sandeep Dwivedi
