ANTIGUA • 2002
UNBREAKABLE
Ball struck his jaw. Bone cracked.
Doctors said stop. He said no.
Jaw wired. Bandage on. He bowled.
14 overs. Broken jaw. Warrior.
THE MOMENT
Mervyn Dillon bouncer strikes jaw
The ball rears up, crashes into his face.
Broken jaw confirmed
Doctors say stop. Common sense says stop.
He refuses to leave
"The team needs me."
Jaw strapped, bandage on
He walks back to his mark.
14 overs bowled with broken jaw
Figures: 1/57. Pain: immeasurable.
India wins the match
He did what he came to do.
“I have never seen anything like it in my life.”
— Sourav Ganguly, Captain
“He is made of different stuff. Not human.”
— VVS Laxman, Teammate
“The team needed me. That was the only thing that mattered.”
— Anil Kumble
THIS IS NOT CRICKET.
THIS IS WAR.
The jaw broke. The spirit didn't. That's the difference between players and warriors.