I watched an entertainer bid farwell and fade away last week. No. Scratch that. A legend. I watched a legend bid farewell. He bowed out, doing what he did best - entertaining us all. It seemed the emotions got the better of him and a few tears rolled down his face as he walked off into the sunset, where his family and friends and some of the judges stood cheering for him.Yes. I am talking about Sanjaya Malakar. The law of averages and the law of terrible singing finally caught up with him and sent him on his way. He chose a Bonnie Rait song ‘Lets give ‘em something to talk about’ and failed at it miserably. Ah well, American Idol will miss him and I know for sure my Mum will miss him. He once said that he would be ecstatic if he made it to the final 24, so the final 7 must have been more than worth it. At 17, his whole life is ahead of him and really, I can’t but think 35 years ago, he’d a cinch for the Jackson 5.

Now.

The real McCoy.

Brian Charles Lara. He off the 375, the 400 AND the 500. He of the almost 12K runs in tests and the almost 11K runs in ODIs. He of the 28 runs in an over. He of the backlift that looked a light sabre about to lop of Darth’s head. He of the flashing blade that reminded one of Black Mamba’s samuri sword. He of the swivel that would make Shakira jealous. He of the reasons stadiums in the Carib swelled to capacity.

He’s gone off, for good. Bowlers of the world have breathed a collective sigh of relief. As he walked on to bat, the Poms gave him a guard of honour, simply because they didn’t want him to change his mind about not going to England. When he walked off his team mates gave him another one and when he finally walked off, asking the crowd if he entertained them one thing was clear to me. I do not think I will have the same lump in my throat when Sachin retires. I guess that’s my take on that debate, eh?

See ya later, Big Dog and thanks for the memories!

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