The last tribute to Phil Hughes - Always in our hearts

It has been around 4 and a half years now, but I still remember the calm and composed innings from a 24-year-old at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. India had won the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and were on their way to sealing the series with the third victory.

The left-handed batter was not very well-known since his previous performances were not something to be very proud of. But the guy from Macksville, New South Wales made a name for himself by scoring 69 handy runs when it was needed the most. But except his batting, it was his attitude which caught some eyebrows.

This soft-spoken young cricketer was loved by all. It seemed as if this player is enjoying every moment of wearing the baggy green, with a shy smile on his face which was a predominant trait of his. Remembering his old friend, former Australian skipper Michael Clarke said: “The one thing about ‘Hughesy’ is that everybody loved him because of his personality. Yes, the cricket world got to see him play cricket but it was his character that I certainly fell in love with. He loved his family, he loved his cattle and he loved his cricket.”

After that Mohali Test, an unbeaten knock of 138 against Sri Lanka in Hobart gave him all the praises he deserved. A year later, Clarke proudly said that the player will go on to represent his nation 100 times in Tests. But an unfortunate incident changed everything.

Phillip Joel Hughes had already played 26 Tests for Australia, and on the doomed 25th November 2014, entered the ground in Sydney playing for South Australia, against his hometown New South Wales. In the crucial Sheffield Shield tie, the South Australian team went off to a good start.

But Doug Bollinger and Nathan Lyon pulled things back for NSW and Hughes’ team was now standing on 136/2. A bouncer from Sean Abbott shook the world, as Hughes fainted onto the ground. He was rushed to the hospital, but the player never came back. Hughes left the world on November 27, 2014.

This unfortunate incident brought the cricketing fraternity together. The untimely demise of a supreme talent who possessed a highly winsome personality was something no one could accept. Many incidents followed and many precautionary measures were taken. Special guards were added to the helmets. But even after all these, cricket will never forget the incident.

Every time a batsman is hit by a hideous bouncer, the cricketing fraternity will be rocked with the same old fear. They will fear the loss of another fearless cricketer like Hughes. For the sake of the team, the ‘Little Don’ was ready to give his everything every single time.

Three years ago on 25th November, Phil was hit below his left ear. He left the ground unbeaten on 63. The medical report might say that the cricketer died at the St Vincent’s Hospital due to subarachnoid haemorrhage. But what it won’t say is, for us, the lovers of the game, that short little guy with a smile on his face is still fighting. He is still not out on 63 and will always be, batting with Tom Cooper. Come what may, he will not stop fighting, for fighters never quit.

The unputdownable spirit left the world doing what he loved. Dear Phil, cricket will never be the same without you. At this very day every year, we will pay you tribute by wearing black armbands or hanging out our bats. But for every second of every match, the cricket world will remember you, for a bouncer can’t erase your place from our hearts. Wherever you are, keep fighting, #408.