24 september,2007.
It took approximately 24 years and 3 months for a country of 100+crore democracy to choose 16 men who could bring the biggest honour of cricket to the country,India. A world cup, in the newest version of this 130 years old game, the twenty twenty world cup has seen again the two power houses of sub-continent(India and Pakistan) fight in a major final. The last time these two met in a major final was at the world series of cricket at 1985,australia. The result was same, India emerging victorious.
A sincere confession. Ever since I was born in 1985, i believed that my team wont give me a chance to celebrate world championship, I never doubted their ability but I doubted my mis-fortunes.Well this was proved wrong. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF WORLD. A well deserved champion. Beating every favourite of the tournament, whether be it the dominating Australia by 15 runs or thrashing undefeated SA by 40 at their home in Durban(which looked more like small India, so home advantage to none), or terrorising the specialist T20 filled England by six sixes, leaving behind the recent 3-4 defeat at England, which was dictated more by umpires than the english players, but at Durban Indians didnt give much opportunities to the red dressed watchers(umpires) who could do nothing, except to exercise, raising their arms again and again signalling sixes.
And after very long time, I think, it were the bowlers who deserved a high credit of every victory. A low profile bunch of pacers backed by the expert bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad, did, what many of us doubted even in their dreams. It wasnt for the batsmen we won those crunch matches against Pakistan(both), or against SA, it was purely bcos of the calm and disicplined bowling attack. The fielding was a revelation, kudos to robin singh, now we dont only have yuvi n kaif, but yuvi, uthappa, kartik, 2 pathans. Not to forget the brave and shrewd M.S.Dhoni(mahi), who never feared the opposition and always believed in his boys. He made his presence felt in every match. Moreover, it was achieved in absence of tri-dev of international cricket, no master(Sachin), no wall (Dravid), no prince of calcutta(Ganguly). And not to forget,all of this without a coach(well roger federer isnt only one guy who does well without a coach, there is a whole team which is doing the same whole summers). Discussing about a presence of coach, it hardly matters if u have separate coaches for every department.....In words of ganguly(dada) : "No one can teach Sachin how to bat, so what will a coach do ..?"
And for all of my friends(specially rachit) who told me that India would be defeated(raped) by the end of the match everyday, I would like to say them "ENJOY WHAT MY TEAM HAS DONE, and next time cheer with me". Even me, who was very disappointed by India's early exit at the 50 overs world cup version, was not much interested in the game after your favourite bunch of players give such a meagre performance, but somewhere deep in heart I wished my team to win everyday when they went out to field. Thanks to overwhelming statistics from avneesh and prashant (@ GF war-room), and to greatbong, I found my renowed love for my team. And Hanish, thanks, without TV at your room, it would have been difficult to watch.
... Well its time for us to celebrate this moment, and hope that we get many such triumphs again, I am not in a mood to wait 24 years....I have weak memory I need a new championship soon.
Cheers, CHAK DE INDIA.
