Tears, Tears and Tears

Last year on 19th Nov 2023 we were shattered, decimated, destroyed, emotionally damaged, sullen and sunken. The highly charged and extremely successful World cup dream was yet again vaporized by our arch nemesis Australia. At one time we thought we were cruising but one missed shot by Rohit Sharma and lower order collapse (Surya Kumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja) lost us the great opportunity. This was a terrible loss and it brought back the ghastly memories of 2003 World Cup Final loss where our superb campaign led by captain Sourav Ganguly suffered the same fate against Australia. We thought its over for Rohit and company.

 

The situation was further aggravated by Mumbai Indians captaincy controversy and much publicized 'dissensions' within the ranks.

 

 

I did not give any importance to 2024 T20 World Cup but the way Rohit Sharma played one of the greatest T20 Innings against our arch rival Australia brought my faith back in the dream. I have not seen a better T20 inning than that one. Rohit Sharma single handedly destroyed Australia and it has a soothing effect on the visceral wounds of 2003 and 2023 World Cup Final losses. This match revolutionized old fans specially of my (1980s born) generation. Captain Rohit was back and so was our campaign.

 

Captain continued his intent and fearless cricket against England in Semi Final on a very tough wicket. The way he, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja played we knew that this time is ours. Bumrah has always been exceptionally perfect and Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh bowled exceptionally well too.

 

 

Now we were in Final. It was the Final match between all time chokers and chokers of last 10 years (we have recently achieved this ignominious title after losing 2014 T20 Word Cup Final, 2019 World Cup Semi, 2021 and 2023 World Test Championship Finals and 2023 World Cup Final). I knew in my heart that South Africa is the greatest Choker but mind was somewhere else.

 

My District Magistrate organized a big screen to see the final, i resisted as i organized the same on 19th Nov 2023 and we lost that match so i was kind of superstitious but nevertheless it was done. We started well but again missed shot of Rohit, unlucky edge by Rishabh Panth and rash shot of Surya Kumar Yadav brought us back the memories of last Final. It was the same deja vu sinking feeling yet again but a brilliant controlled inning by big match player Virat Kohli and superb counter attack by Axar Patel brought us some hope. The consolidation work was clinically finished by the team and we were back in the match.

 

 

Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh started  brilliantly but Kohli like inning of Quinton de Kock brought South Africa back in the game. 54 runs were needed from last 6 overs and South Africa had 6 wickets in hand. The match was slightly tilted towards South Africa at this point. Klaasen scored 24 runs in 15th over bowled by Axar Patel and it included two Sixes and two Fours. The match was sealed and no team can think of losing this match from this equation - 30 runs, 30 balls and 6 wickets in hand. But World call them chokers not without any reason. The Choker title has multiple generations contributions from the days of 1999 World Cup. South Africa has been numero uno holder of this title and how dare a novice India challenge this, no chance.

 

Last 5 overs were the most brilliant overs ever bowled by perhaps any team in a World Cup Final. Pandya brought us back in the match after taking Klaasen wicket.

Now 22 runs from 18 balls and 5 wickets in hand it was South Africa match even at this point of time. 18th over was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah and it was a superb exhibition of all time great bowling. He gave just two runs and took out Jansen by a mysterious ball. No one saw how it went pass through the defense pf Jansen. We were back in the game.

 

 

 

 

20 runs from 12 balls and 4 wickets in hand. Equation was tense and it was advantage India at this point. Arshdeep yet again bowled a brilliant over and gave just 4 runs. South Africa needed 16 runs from last over and it was Pandya's turn to play Hero. First ball was a full toss an it looked like a Six but Surya Kumar Yadav did what even a Superman cant dare to think. It was the greatest catch ever taken and this catch sealed the match for us. 

 

We won the match, we won the Cup and we kind of ease out the pain of 2003 and 2023 Final losses. We celebrated with the Police force, we celebrated with the people, we celebrated in the home, we celebrated on the streets, we burned crackers, we shouted, we cried and we did what we always wanted to do. The Cup has returned home after 17 years, another Cup should return soon. Thank you Captain Rohit Sharma and thank you entire Team. Thanks for the fearless cricket played by you throughout this world Cup. Thank you Rahul Dravid, finally you have the World Cup.

 

 

 

 

The good thing about time is, it changes. On 19th Nov 2023 there were the tears of shattered dream, on 29th June there are tears of victory. We cried in 2003 World Cup Final, we cried in 2019 World Cup Semi Final, we cried in 2023 World Cup Final. This time too we cried but these cries were same that we experienced in 2007 and 2011. We forgot that for a very long time. It's a huge redemption. It's a huge huge win. To win World Cup from such a situation was not possible even in wildest of imaginations and millions may have switched off their TVs after 15th but our Team had resilience and steel and we showed them when it mattered the most.

Congratulations Team India and congratulations fans.

 

Thank you Virat and Rohit for the memories. Thank you for everything.