The Modern Icon

Be Like Baz

Can you imagine batting to Mitchell Starc who is running in with a new cherry in his hand? Can you visualize a 145km/hr ball going through the side of your helmet?  However, what if instead of Starc dictating his terms, you dictate your terms by coming down the track. You might think is it really possible? Yes it is possible and today I am going to talk out that man who made such crazy things possible- Brendon Mccullum.

Crazy, daring, courageous, I don’t care what you bowl attitude, fearless, great leader, optimistic describe whom Brendon Mccullum truly is.... 

Fearless

He defines the word Fearless. He just goes out there and plays his fearless brand of cricket. This approach to the game has done wonders for him. He expresses himself to the fullest during his stay at the crease. His ability to play with such freedom and authority is just fantastic. If you ask me, I would definitely not want to ball to him especially when he is set. 

To be honest, it is not easy to be fearless. It is a trait that I love about him and I hope I develop this fearlessness soon.

Leadership

Most of his career, Mccullum was not a recognized player. Even when he took over the captaincy of New Zealand, he was still in that stage of his career where he had to prove himself. But since then, he has never looked back. The impact he has had on the cricket as a whole, especially the New Zealand team, has been remarkable. He has led the side like never before.

 Spirit of Cricket

Nobody had imagined at the start of the World Cup 2015 that New Zealand will reach the final with such a dominating performance. They did not have international stars like Kohli, Root or De Villiers. But what they did have was a leader like Mccullum. His aggressive style of captaincy and is nothing to lose attitude was a huge factor in New Zealand's run in the world cup. He proved the saying right that- "Attitude is everything". He brought the best out of all his fellow mates.

The best part was that though "he played hard yet he played fair". He showed sportsman spirit in every way he could. He made me realized that cricket is not always about winning or losing, it is about giving your best and relishing each and every moment. His sportsmen spirit clearly evident throughout the World Cup, particularly after their semifinal win over South Africa when he invited Proteas counterpart AB de Villiers and his side to the New Zealand dressing room after the match.

Memories

He is surely the fan favourite due to the entertainment he provides with his exciting stroke play. I cannot change the channel when he is batting. His shots surprise me at times too. His two great innings are my fondest cricket memories-

The first one was during the World Cup 2015 when he took apart the english bowlers- Broad, Anderson and Finn. He played it here and he played it there and made a blazing half century in merely 20-25 balls.

The second memory is of his last test match. It was a sad cricket moment has he was retiring after the match but he made sure that the fans were completely entertained. He made the fastest every Test century and it was an innings which I see repeatedly on YouTube with awe and excitement each time.

Remember Him

As he bade goodbye to cricket recently, this is what Baz will be best remembered for – the captain who changed his team, more than a great cricketer that fans adored. McCullum’s legacy will not be his performances, but his impact.

“Be like Baz

Baz is an inspriational leader,

Baz leds by example,

Baz is an agile athlete,

Baz is an enthusiastic leader,

Be like Baz”