Sourav started the first day of his
retired life with a meeting with BCCI president---it was an invitation for a tête-à-tête over a cup of tea. Not bad for a starter! Even two other legendary cricketers of all time - Gavaskar and Kapil Dev had not received such an early invitation from the Board president. It is clear that despite years- long tussle and cold war with the board, the board members can’t help adoring this man with exceptional cricket sense. This morning meeting with the Board President at the very first day of Sourav’s retired life points toward one possibility and that is: soon the upcoming cricket in India is going to see the rebel joining the ranks of the cricket administrators of the country.
Even if he doesn’t get involved with cricket administration of the country very soon, he will definitely be a part of media; from the hotel to the airport Sourav remained the cynosure of cricket news media - both national and international. At the end of the day, Sourav is the owner of just a couple of bats; the rest of the bats were given away to his team mates such as Laxman and Dravid. Even Alan Border kept one for his son. However Sourav has a precious thing for him - a T-shirt autographed by all his teammates, thanks to Dona who planned this scheme.
One day into the retired life and Sourav is a different man. He is happy that he can at last satisfy his penchant for Biriyanis and junk foods. He is happy that finally he will cease to be a slave of the alarm clock. A connoisseur of good food---he is happy that now he will be able to break free of his trainer’s diet chart. The media hounds him till mid night for just one interview, the teammates show their love for their dada, the nation gets frenzied over their favorite cricketer’s retirement. Sourav keeps his cool but he surely cherishes the precious moments.
By evening Sourav was back in his home town where he is called and treated like “Prince of Kolkata”. The people of Bengal showered him with the same warmth as they did after Sourav returned from England with a couple of centuries in his kitty in 1996. He says many options are open for the upcoming days; but none of them are devoid of cricket. Being a part Indian Premier League is certain, but the speculation that looms large in cricket news media is: Is he going to publish a book? But Dada would not disclose anything right now. He is now eagerly waiting for the month to end when one of his idols - Diego Maradona will come to Calcutta. One of the greatest heroes of live cricket looks forward to a meeting with his hero in the next month.
