Second ball of 49th over. Dhoni hits a six and whole India erupts. Finally.. The wishes of 1.2 billion people came true. Yes.. India won the Cricket world cup 2011. 14 nations, 210 players, Almost 45 days of cricket action and it ends on a sweet note. Every Indian around the world will sleep in peace today. The rush, excitement, tension, pressure is all over. This is the time for celebrations. For many this may be a once in a lifetime moment. I don’t know whether this holds true for me. But this is indeed unforgettable moment for me.
The last time I posted about the world cup, I wasn’t that happy with the proceedings. It was quite a dull tournament in spite of being a World cup event of a sport. Since then, things started moving. Then they gained speed and momentum and reached a peak in the final. The second half of the world cup delivered memorable moments for cricket. My only disappointment was that England wasn’t able to make it to the finals. They produced the best matches of the tournament except the one which bought them ticket back home. Some say, the England players missed their family and wanted to go back home. Could be the reason for this shameful end.
The second half of India matches was filled with excitement. They played against the defending world champions Australia and arch rival Pakistan. I predicted the win against Australia as they are weak against spin attack. But the match wasn’t easy win. India fought hard and won the match. Then came the match of the tournament. The match which makes impact on the relation between two countries. The match which is the often called, “The Mother of all matches”. India Vs Pakistan. I just wanted India to win this match. I wouldn’t mind India loosing world cup but not this match. Our team looked far better than the Pakistani team. But it’s not your talent which decides the match result. It’s the ability to handle the pressure. This match creates heroes and villains. Heroes were born and India won the match.
Then came the finals. I have always tagged Dhoni as a lucky captain and I always will. He doesn’t have that talent or the skill which is often talked about. But his unorthodox playing style and decision making works for the team. And when you are a captain of Indian team, your own skill and talent won’t matter till you win matches for India. This final was different. For the first time ever, Dhoni played captains innings. For me, Gambhir is the person who deserves the credit of the win. Just like in 2007 T20 finals, He played a brilliant innings which got shadowed. Player of the tournament was deserved by Yuvraj.
After the 2003 world cup finals, My interest in cricket almost died. I hardly watched cricket. Very few full matches. That was because of the loss in that finals. They should have at least fought and lost. But someone said. If it doesn’t end well, then it’s not the end. This final is the ending I was seeking for. I was completely out of my mind. I jumped, danced, shouted after the victory. Something I didn’t do in many years. Everyone around me was happy. Strangers hugging and shaking hands. Smiles spread all over. Cast, color, religion didn’t matter. There is only one religion Cricket and Sachin is the God. I was very happy that Sachin finally fulfilled his dream of world cup. Players carried him over shoulder around the ground.
Tendulkar has carried the burden of nation for 21 years; It was time we carried him. – Virat Kohli
There is much more I can write about. But I like to stop abruptly.
Till you find a moment when you are completely out of your mind…
Think Nonsense…
P.S: The real reason behind India’s win is Rajinikanth