If there is a threat to the game of cricket, that threat lies in the first class arena. One day cricket, especially day-night cricket, is here to stay.

Our cricket has been first class.

Too bad when I was a kid there wasn't a guy in our class that everybody called the "Cricket Boy", because I would have liked to stand up in class and tell everybody, "You can make fun of the Cricket Boy if you want to, but to me he's just like everybody else." Then everybody would leave the Cricket Boy alone, and I'd invite him over to spend the night at my house, but after about five minutes of that loud chirping I'd have to kick him out. Maybe later we could get up a petition to get the Cricket Family run out of town. Bye, Cricket Boy.

But, perhaps, it's where his greatness lies. He has been the most humble servant of the Indian cricket as he kept on chugging on without complaining. There came many despairing moments in his long and distinguished career, but he did not let it affect him. His enthusiasm is exemplary. He is as enthusiastic today as he was years back.

I was never coached; I was never told how to hold a bat.

His cricket from that moment on has been terrific, his cricket has been first class and he needs to be applauded for it.