In an unprecedent development that has stunned the cricketing world, the ICC has announced in a late-night press release on Saturday that henceforth, all scores of 99 would be regarded as a century in the record books. The terse press release stated 'In the interest of all concerned and of the game in general, the ICC has hereby unanimously decided to grant century status to all scores and figures of 99".
The trigger that started this amazing run of events was a late afternoon Indian team meeting at Sydney. In that meeting, MSDhoni suggested to Sachin Tendulkar that he take a break from the Perth Test and clear his mind of that elusive hundred. Visibly upset at this suggestion, SRT shot back: 'Aila.... What ??? You want to drop me from the team ??? Arre Dhoni, you forgot the time in 2007 when I pulled you by your (then) long hair and put you in front of the selection committee as India's new T20 captain ? Well, I did not imagine then that you would win two World Cups but, anyways, is this how you repay me ??'. Going on, he declared, angrier than he had ever been as India captain: 'I will continue to keep playing as long as I get to that hundred !!!'. At that time, there was a thunderclap heard (it was a stormy Sydney afternoon anyways) and Rahul Dravid, who has a keen sense of history, said he was reminded of the Bhishma pratigyaa scene in BR Chopra's Mahabharata. Anyways, many of the others were in their nappies when the serial used to be on air, so they had no idea of the serial. Alarmed at this development, MSD relayed the news to the BCCI top brass. They were even more alarmed. Said one top BCCI official : "At this rate, it will take a few years for him to get there. Forget Rohit Sharma, he will block even Arjun Tendulkar's place in the Indian team. After all, there is only room for one batsman from Mumbai, you know." This sent the BCCI team into a closed-door meeting wherein Sharad Pawar came up with the suggestion of changing the record books and convert the 99 into a century. When someone asked if this would be possible and if it would seem logical, the matter was quickly referred to Rajnikanth, who, in his inimitable style, made it possible :)
Of course, the other members in the ICC were not so enthused by the suggestion. Cricket Australia raised the first flag of revolt, but then they were offered the honour of converting the average of the second-best player of all time, Sir Don Bradman, to a round 100. They were satisfied. Said the Cricket Australia representative: "The ghost of Sir Don can now rest in peace. Else, we dreaded the prospect of he reincarnating himself as an Indian and dominating cricket one more time'. As a further sop to the Australians, the BCCI offered to purge all online content that put Sachin over Sir Don as the best batsman ever. The BCCI official explained that India's cabinet minister, Kapil Sibal, would do a good job of regulating Cricinfo and other sites. New Zealand, too, were delighted at this suggestion. 'Finally we get a triple centurion' said the NZCC representative, referring to Martin Crowe's 299 that would henceforth be termed as a triple hundred. Closer home, there was double delight for former Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin. Not only he would become a double centurion (he has a top score of 199), he would also become the latest member of the 100-Test club (he is currently the only man stranded on 99 Tests). The former captain turned MP also assured the BCCI of full government support in handling any diplomatic fall out of this decision. As far as England's opposition was concerned, the BCCI threatened to retire the Indian team from test cricket altogether !!. Alarmed at the gate money and TV rights money they would lose if the 2014 and 2018 tours were cancelled, the English board gave in. The other boards did not matter anyways and were quickly won over. Finally the issue was settled and it became official. The official statistics committee of the ICC will amend the record books and release the new records within 15 days, it was announced.
Finally, the Indian government has also decided to contribute its bit. The RBI has notified of a new Rs 99 note that will be put in circulation (see picture) with Sachin Tendulkar on it. The RBI Governor D Subbarao said that this the best way of recognizing the efforts of the little maestro who, in the eyes of some, is no less than the man who currently adornes India's currency notes. This note would be officially allowed to be used as a Rs 100 note and would be officially introduced on 24 April 2012, the little master's 39th birthday.
With this decision, the (cricketing) world, and India in particular. can now breath a sigh of relief !!
Cheers
Amit
PS: On hearing of the decision, Sachin Tendulkar remarked that this will not prompt him to hang his boots. 'I always play for the team, you know, and I will keep on playing till I want'. !!!
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