We, The World Champions!!!
3:08 PM
JITIN
,
For once, the whole India came to a standstill…
From the valley of fear Kashmir to the Tsunami hit Kanyakumari…
From the deserts of Rajasthan to the wild beauty of north-east states…
From the deserts of Rajasthan to the wild beauty of north-east states…
The celebrations boomed: Everywhere!
Now this word ‘everywhere’, when spoken in context of our nation assumes mammoth proportions. It refers to millions of people of different religions, cultures and geographies. Even their languages are different.
But on this historical night of 24 September, 2007 (a date which would be remembered forever..), there was no communication gap! Infact, it was hard to distinguish between people from different parts, separated by thousands of miles… The reason: They were all hooting at the top of their voice, dancing like it’s a world gone crazy and partying with full vigour..
Bingo! You guessed it right…
Bingo! You guessed it right…
Cricket is back in its new avatar of Twenty-Twenty jingoism…
& We, the Indians, are the World Champions of the inaugural edition.
Once upon another time, 24 years down memory lane, another group of cricket fanatics had made all of us proud. But for most of us, this crowning glory did not have a profound effect. As it was already history and captured by text book stuff, replayed matches & memorable pictures but still the essence was lost.
& We, the Indians, are the World Champions of the inaugural edition.
Once upon another time, 24 years down memory lane, another group of cricket fanatics had made all of us proud. But for most of us, this crowning glory did not have a profound effect. As it was already history and captured by text book stuff, replayed matches & memorable pictures but still the essence was lost.
Then came the 2003 ODI world cup final: When the dream was almost relived but for the Aussies massacre in the final. It was yet again a case of so close but still so far………..
They said we were “almost there”, a phrase irrelevant in sporting arena in particular and in this competitive world in general.
They said we were “almost there”, a phrase irrelevant in sporting arena in particular and in this competitive world in general.
Who remembers the runner-ups or the people who were second-best?
Only the champions make history, which gets embedded in sporting folklore for ages…
So, when the Indian team made an ignominious first round exit from the 2007 WC earlier this year, even this die-hard cricket fan had lost faith in the ‘Men in Blue’. The dream was almost over…
So, when the Indian team made an ignominious first round exit from the 2007 WC earlier this year, even this die-hard cricket fan had lost faith in the ‘Men in Blue’. The dream was almost over…
But, then arrived the ultimate cricketing makeover: the instant 3-hour action-packed drama of 20-20!
After a not so encouraging start, the Ind-Pak league humdinger set the tone for the rest of the tournament. An edge of the seat thriller with mind-boggling twists & turns. A tied match, finally decided on a bowl-out (synonymous to the penalty shootout in football)!
After a not so encouraging start, the Ind-Pak league humdinger set the tone for the rest of the tournament. An edge of the seat thriller with mind-boggling twists & turns. A tied match, finally decided on a bowl-out (synonymous to the penalty shootout in football)!
This was the turning point…
Not only old fans (like yours truly) got a new lease of life. But numerous new fans were made overnight!
The excitement (reminiscent to a Hollywood thriller) lured one & many more…
And from here on, the arch-rivals moved from strength to strength!!!
The excitement (reminiscent to a Hollywood thriller) lured one & many more…
And from here on, the arch-rivals moved from strength to strength!!!
What with Pakistan stunning the islanders first, then shocking the kangaroos (both in super 8) & finally destroying the kiwis (in the semis)…
And India batted the Englishmen out of the match with Yuvi’s super sixes, then choking the Proteas into submission(both in super 8) & finally conquering the hapless Aussies: yes they are not at all invincible here (in the semis)…
The stage was set for the “Clash of the titans”:
India vs Pakistan in a World Cup final!
It just can’t get bigger than this…
So as the clock ticked 5.30 pm IST, the streets were empty, offices almost closed down & not a soul could be found anywhere else than in front of the match. Everybody braced up for the ‘Battle Royale’!
And for the umpteenth time, the Ind-Pak titanic clash lived up to its reputation…
If the league clash was a blockbuster, then this surely was a roller coaster storyline worthy of an Oscar!
(A sea change from the dull & insipid Aussie dominated finals of the past).
Both teams were hell bent to rejuvenate themselves and redeem lost pride after the ODI WC bashing.
If the league clash was a blockbuster, then this surely was a roller coaster storyline worthy of an Oscar!
(A sea change from the dull & insipid Aussie dominated finals of the past).
Both teams were hell bent to rejuvenate themselves and redeem lost pride after the ODI WC bashing.
And much to the supreme delight of all Indian supporters, the Murphy law worked again:
“India has never lost to Pakistan in a World Cup match”
& tonight was no exception!
So when Misbah-ul-haq scooped the ball in the air for a comfortable catch by Sreesanth, India completed a special piece of history. Something that would be ingrained in our minds forever!!!
The festivities were on & are still going on in full throttle as I somehow put a ‘The end’ to this fairytale saga (much against my will).
The festivities were on & are still going on in full throttle as I somehow put a ‘The end’ to this fairytale saga (much against my will).
CONGRATULATIONS to every Indian supporter!
We are the World Champions!!!
