i’m a pathological planner, list-maker, and foreseer of obstacles. didn’t always used to be this way, and, judging by the current sporting season, that’s exactly the way to be.
lesson 1: the english premier league.
arsenal barely finished fourth last year. acquired no silverware at all. and just before this season began, lost thierry henry, their captain, star player, and possibly the finest striker in the world, to fc barcelona.
this season, they haven’t lost a match yet, and are at the top of the table.
lesson two: formula 1.
fernando alonso, world champion for renault, and serial ruiner of schumacher’s retirement year, decides to move to mclaren (okay, okay: vodafone mclaren mercedes). cue drumroll.
racing season begins. and it’s rookie lewis hamilton who pulls off a staggering twelve podium finishes at the end of fifteen races.
with two races to go, it would take a disaster to keep him from being the youngest f1 world champion ever.
lesson three: the twenty20 world cup.
unfancied india, led by rookie captain ms dhoni, play a form of the game they have little experience at. all of india is quite thrilled that they make it to the second round of competition, and we are all mentally prepared to watch australia (or, worst case, sri lanka) go home with the trophy.
then the indian team chases pakistan down to a bowl out — and wins. beats england in a match that will always belong to a certain yuvraj singh. helps south africa lose their first match of the tournament. and, get this: sends the australians packing.
unfancied india it is that takes home the first-ever twenty20 world cup. beating our favourite opponents in a nail-biter of a final.
three lessons to remind you that there’s no such thing as a script, so stop looking for one.
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