Archie Schiller, 7, may experience more highs in his life, but none will be as special, soulful and significant than being part of Australia's Test squad as co-captain to Tim Paine in the ongoing Test against India, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Archie has a heart condition that prevents him from playing the game whenever he wants to, but the lad — who hails from South Australia, like skipper Paine — remains a keen leg-spinner.

To get a kid to be part of a team is more than just innovative and radical, and who can blame cricket lovers for mouthing 'What?' when they first read about this gesture. However, over the years, cricket and cricketers have been kind to children. We often read about Indian cricketers visiting cancer-afflicted kids in hospitals and there have been numerous examples of players going out of their way to put a smile on the faces of children either dealing with health-related adversity or not being fortunate enough to afford good quality equipment. On Christmas Day, Sachin Tendulkar decided to surprise the kids at Ashray Child Care Centre in Bandra by turning up as Santa Claus.