Shivnarine Chanderpaul : The unsung hero of Caribbean cricket

I remember many years ago I have read this line from a news paper i.e. "Brian Lara is a moody singer where Shivnarine Chanderpaul is an all time customer". Realizing the feat that Chanderpaul has achieved over the years with his sheer determination , I don't see no wrong saying in that line. In a time when Caribbean cricket is passing through lot of troubles and hazard ness which includes inner fighting between players and board over payment issues, Chanderpaul is playing the role of torchbearer of the game which legacy has been laid by game's great like lord Clive Lloyd, Garry Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, Malcolm Marshall etc.

Seeing the pathetic ness of Caribbean cricket, many believed that Brian Lara's retirement could bring the end to the existence of cricket in Caribbean island completely, because of the lack interest of the young kid to choose the game as their career. But it's due to Chanderpaul, whose first love has always been to put on the island's cap proudly and who ignored many more lucrative offers to play in foreign leagues, cricket is evolving to restore back it's past glory. Now-a-days I see lot of promising young talents like Kevin Pollard, Bravo cousins, Darren Sammy and many more who can lift the level of the game in this Island, must have inspired by great Chanderpaul in any phase of their life. 

I remember when Chanderpaul started his international career was bit a slow starter. He had many flaws in his techniques because of his chest-on standing position. If I am not wrong his critics were more vocal for his shuffling to offside by exposing the leg stump. But with the passing of time he has been able to develop his game by covering up all those grey areas in his techniques. He has been evolved as a great player in both test and ODI cricket and his outstanding records in these two versions of game are evident of this fact. He has scored around 10000 runs in both test & ODIs with good averages. He is on his path to be among the Hall of Fame cricketers. 

Despite of his superb individual contribution to the game he has been polite and humble throughout his career both on and off the field. He is one of the sportsmen who speaks less and do more with his business. I have hardly seen him engaging himself either in verbal abuse with players of opposite teams or speaking uselessly about anything off the field. He is a kind of guy who wants to shy away from media, glamour and tends to remain focused on his own business. 

Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been a perfect ambassador of the game for his endless love and indomitable spirit for the game. He is a role model for many youngsters of his era who wants to play cricket for the sake of pride and not for the money. To be Sachin Tendulkar one needs to be God gifted (which is easy ) but to be Shivnarine Chanderpaul one must have to strive relentlessly to chase his goal with sheer determination, discipline and diligence.