"Tugga" - Defining Leadership

I am easily drawn towards Leaders irrespective of the arena, and this blog is about one of them.

Jan 6th 2004: After being away from home for a year and a half, I was enjoying time with my family. I was also happy to be witnessing a great cricketing battle between India and Australia. India were 1-1 against the invincible Aussies and were totally dominating the third test with Sachin scoring a masterly 220 on the aussie turf !! But for that day, I wore a baggy green when the Australian captain walked down to the pitch for the last time in his cricketing career with the mighty aussies once again depending on him to take them out of trouble.

This blog is dedicated to a sporting hero from whom I have tried to learn so much about attitude, grit and a never-give-up attitude. Yes, I am talking about the "Tugga", and one of my all time favorite cricketers Stephen Rodger Waugh.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. There is no better example to this in Cricket than him, Steve Waugh saved that match for Australia with a gritty 80 and walked off the Sydney cricket ground amidst thunderous ovations. Grit and determination were his defining virtues once again.

Who could forget his 200 against the West Indies at Sabina Park in 1995, his twin centuries against England at Old Trafford in 1997, or his daring 120 against South Africa in a must-win match at the 1999 World Cup. This uncanny ability to fight his way out of trouble that has seen Steve making a name as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. A man who would put his best foot forward during times of adversity - a tremendous competitor.

Steve Waugh may not have had the talent of The God or The Don, the technique of The Wall or the attacking flair of The Prince. Infact he was considered the lesser talented than his twin, Mark. but I would rate him always a notch above the rest simply because of all that he brought to the game in terms of attitude, grit and more importantly, leadership.

Though many critics attribute the team's success to Warney and Mcgrath, It was beyond doubt that there was a noticeable change in strategy and style and the whole approach towards cricket under Steve. He led the Aussies to a World Cup triumph in 1999 and is still the most succesful test captain with 41 victories from 57 tests. It was under him, that a good team transformed into a great team.

That he is an Indophile and is committed to social causes is a folklore now, Steve Waugh was named Australian of the Year in 2004.

Coincidentally, his name Stephen in greek means 'Crown'!, but ironically, he is a perfect example of an average player achieving beyond potential.

What makes one a great leader? That will be in another post.

Talking about leaders, I am happy that Mr.Jairaj whom I wrote about in an earlier post is back as BMP chief in Bangalore.

Current Music:
Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits