Why?? 

The world over SRT is winning people's heart more for his off-field conduct and humility than his all time greatness with the willow.  And this is exactly what the English media is goading soccer star Rooney to emulate, Rooney who is currently going through a mountain of self-induced troubles off the soccer field. 

Pele was/is another exemplary character off the sporting field. A man who has maintained his dignity and image even with pressing personal problems, esp with regards to his oldest son who went to jail on drug charges.   If one reads the King's autobiography, one really gets renewed respect for the man, esp for his values off the field and humility.  And what to say of the King's phenomenal skills on the field unmatched even  today and all that complemented by perfect gentlemanly conduct and humility.  That is why Pele is the King of our hearts even today. The same can be said of SRT,  winner of people's hearts. 

Here are some striking similarities between the two living legends:

1>  Both are  ultimate masters of their sporting realms and have set 
unsurmountable records.  

2> Both are endowed with the God-give gift of ultimate field vision and are constantly aware at all of its changing dynamics.  The legendary Pele in one glance could perfectly study the positions of his opponents and teammates in one glance and also be aware of its constant changes.  Pele claims in his autobiography that he was never ever tackled from the back. He always had this supernatural premonition whenever a tackler came at him from the back and took instant counter action to avoid.  It was as if he had eyes on the back of his head.  SRT's penetrating stroke play is also a testimony of his field vision.

3>  Both LOVE their games to death and live for it.  If Sachin could 
love nothing else but to bat all day long on the cricket field and rue that it was going to get dark, the same could be said of Pele, who loved his Soccer to death and could play all day long. 

4>  Both are perfect ambassadors for the sport and their nation. 
Sachin has always maintained that it his highest honor to represent his country on the cricket field.  And there can not be a truer and bluer Brazilian than Pele, whose heart lives, dies, bleeds for Brazil and its soccer. 

5>  Both agonize when they are out of action and there is the constant 
fire in their bellies to get back on the field.  The agony of Pele when he had to sit out of much of the Soccer World Cup of 1962 due to injury is described so poignantly in his autobiography 

6>  Both dazzle again at the latter stages of their sporting careers. 
Sachin's form at 37 reminds one of Pele's dazzling game at the 1970 Soccer World Cup where Brazil beat Italy in the finals. 

7>  Both will be remembered and loved and respected long long after 
their playing days.  King Pele is already a living example of this.  And long after his playing days, Sachin will be venerated and loved by cricket fans not just in his nation but the world over akin to the global adulation that Pele deservedly gets. 

8>  Both have left indelible stamps on their respective games.  The 
game of soccer has never been the same during and post-pele playing days and the game of cricket will never be same after Sachin hangs his bat. 

SRT and PELE ... Two all time greats, two real King of the sports field and most importantly, the Kings of our sporting Hearts.   It will be a treat if both could meet each other in person. I have no doubts that they will click instantly. 

Long live the two Kings. 

Dr. Sivaram Hariharan aka Shiva IYER

181010

Sarvam Shri KrishNaarpaNam