00:00I was, you know, we used to come here in awe and watch Sujit Soomsundar bat, you know, and this
00:04is true, and, you know, we learned a lot from watching Sujit bat, but, it's the truth, I'm not joking,
00:10you know, so those are my early memories of coming into this ground, it's been a second home to me,
00:18and it's been a place where, like Anil said, we've probably spent more time here than we have spent in
00:24our houses.
00:25It's been a place of, of great happiness, sometimes great disappointments as well, but a place that has truly given
00:37me everything that I am today.
00:39I can never be more grateful for what the KSCA and this great ground and this iconic ground has given
00:48me in my life.
00:50I'm really thankful and grateful that Venkatesh Prasad and his committee thought it apt to name an end after me.
01:00I know this would mean a lot. I know this would mean a lot to my family. My father, who
01:11a lot of you may know, loved the game, and he was really instrumental in creating that love for the
01:17sport that I have.
01:19He brought me here to so many games, not only the test matches, but to Ranji Trophy games. Whenever he
01:25could take leave, he would bring me, he would come for at least one day in every match when I
01:30was a young kid to watch one day of cricket here at the KSCA.
01:34I think he would be so proud today to know that his son has an end named after him.
01:47What makes me even more proud is that I am sharing this occasion and this honor with some people who
01:59I truly admire and respect.
02:03To be honored alongside Shanta Rangaswamy today, someone who has made a huge contribution to women's sport, to women's cricket,
02:16not only just cricket, but I think when you look at how women's sport in all fields has progressed today,
02:26I think a huge credit should go to the pioneers like Shanta Rangaswamy for what they did when it was
02:32very, very difficult to play sport and to play cricket in this country.
02:37I know that I am also speaking for Rahul and for all those from our state, men and women, who
02:45have represented the country.
02:46Don't get me wrong, it's a privilege to play for the nation, to be among only a very few who
02:52have had that opportunity.
02:54In India's long history as a test playing country, only 380 men have played in test matches.
03:02But when you came back into the Tarnataka dressing room, it was like returning home.
03:07You just had to turn up, not because you were expected to, or it was your duty.
03:14How else do you give back to the state and team that has taken you to the next level?
03:20It's difficult to put this in words, but I am sure you all understand what I am trying to convey.
03:26I am delighted that the same tradition has continued even today, as we see some of our current international players
03:35turning up for the state,
03:38and are on the cusp of bringing back the trophy home once again.
03:47I wish the Ranji Trophy team the very best in the semi-finals, and I am extremely confident that they
03:56will go all the way.
03:59I have never been someone who has chased reports and honours. I don't particularly like being in the limelight.
04:06But I have the greatest gratitude to the TSCA for having named the pavilion after me.
04:13Throughout my career, no one was sure how to classify me.
04:18Some called me a media passer, some others referred to me as an in-swing bowler,
04:24and those who called me a leg spinner dismissed me as someone who couldn't turn the ball.
04:31I think Rahul also played for the straight one when I played against him in Kent and got him out
04:37first.
04:41There are many who claim that I was a guy who jumped. All this made me more determined than I
04:47can express in words.
04:48I hope when an ambitious young boy or a young girl who aspires to play for the state or the
04:55country comes into the stadium and sees my name,
04:58they can take heart from the fact that if you are committed and sincere to your craft, there are no
05:04heights that cannot be stayed.
05:06It might be my name on the board, but that is almost immaterial. This is not about celebration, it's about
05:12commitment.
05:14And that's why I keep saying that I am humbled to be here. This honour is deeply special because it
05:19comes from my own people.
05:22So many of you have been a part of my incredible journey of highs and lows in our great sport.
05:28And I owe so much to them that thank you seems inadequate. Today, I feel that life has really come
05:36a full circle.
05:37I am so thankful to my parents who allowed me to change my dream with all seriousness.
05:44I knew growing up that education and values mattered a lot to them and I am glad I didn't disappoint
05:51them on that count.
05:53The first Ranji Trophy game I played at this venue was against Tamil Nadu. It was the second match of
06:02my debut season and it will remain one of my more cherished homeries because it was the first ever time
06:09my dad watched me play.
06:11And I was so happy that I got a 50 and took a FIFA. The quiet pride in his eyes
06:19meant more to me than any applause from the sands.
06:28My mother was more invested in my cricket and I am ever so thankful that she nurtured me into becoming
06:36who I am today.
06:38My wife, Chetna and our kids, Aruni, Mayas and Swasti have been unwavering pillars of strength.
06:52The cricket brings applause but it also brings pressure, criticism, long absences and emotional highs and lows.
07:01They have lived every phase of this journey with me, the good days and the difficult ones.
07:07They sacrificed time, comfort and moments that we can never get back. Yet, they never complained.
07:15They grounded me when things went well and lifted me when they didn't.
07:22I love you all so much.
07:27Behind every spell I bowled and every milestone I reached, there was a family quietly standing beside me.
07:33Their love has been constant, their support unconditional.
07:39If today I stand here with gratitude and humility, it is because of the foundation they gave me.
07:46I couldn't have achieved anything without my teammates.
07:50From my young cricketers, club base, to playing for the state, to playing for the country and to franchise cricket.
07:58So thank you all, everyone who has been a part of my journey.
08:05And of course, the support of the KSCA and the BCCI, of the many selectors, coaches, more importantly physios, who
08:17I kept occupied and the other support staff, who always were willing to walk the extra mile.
08:23A special thanks to all the various ground staff, who so keenly laid out practice pitches, so that we could
08:31try our tricks.
08:34Of course, how can I forget my lecturers and my professors, who tweaked rooms, so that I could fit in
08:41my pursuit of engineering degree alongside the hunt for runs and wickets.
08:47I can't forget the contribution of my friends in the media.
08:51They gave me space and privacy.
08:54Our relationships are forged in mutual respect and I appreciate their part in this fabulous journey of delight and despair.
09:02Thank you very much.
09:02Thank you very much.
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