IPL 2008 ended in this fashion.
On the closing ceremony, Shane Warne summed up his memories from
Warne: "My memories are of young Swapnil [Asnodkar] walking out there, the young guy, to take on the rest of the world. Young [Ravindra] Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan coming of age, just watching him execute his skills has been amazing.
IPL 2009 has begun in this fashion-
April 28, 2009
Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jaisurya played in complete harmony which made cricket feel like music. Their fusion, jugalbandi, of classic shots was a sheer brilliance to watch. My favourite shot was when Sachin flicked the ball, with a little toss of his wrist to the boundary, with the smoothness of plucking a guitar string, it was melodius. Kindly forgive me with the technichal knowledge of either of the arts but both are enjoyable despite my ignorance. Perhaps, Ignorance is bliss.
Yes, that is what, they made it look like an art. Cricket as an artistic expression, they blended and created, and transcended us to the sublimic state that is achieved by the stupour which often Music is considered capable of. It was at the same time the feat of the youth and exuberance of A.R.Rehman's instrumentals. The rhythm, the pace that could give any percussionist a tough time.
The ease with which they played should be enough to mute the critics who advocate no country for old men theory. Never too old for the game. They played as if it was the easiest thing to do and the playfulness of the act culminated with the alternate sixes they bestowed on the Mendis’ magic. I loved to see them play in this fashion and I am sure all of us did.
And for all the sachin followers here is what you must read. Mr.S found it. re-discovered it. Must read. http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/93215.html