I call myself a sport junkie and can sit through every sports but cricket is something that I can cheer all the time. During late sixties, I attached to this sport, a long journey indeed. I celebrated India’s first test victory over West Indies, two little fellows who were mainly instrumental for that Victory. They are Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath, then the West Indian bowling attack was fast, furious and awesome. First test series win over England, where Bhagwat Chandrasekhar made English batsman dancing on his fingertip and then came the biggest one, 1983 World cup. During that final, while West Indian Innings was started and Vivian Richards was hammering our bowlers all over, the telecast was of the air for unknown reason. Once he (Viv) departed by Kapil’s spectacular catch, we got back it on Doordarshan. The winning moment came with the fall of Michael Holding. Apart from Final, there were some other glorious moment too, the match between India and Zimbabwe where Kapil batted beautifully and finished with an unbeaten 175. For me that innings is the best in any world cup that played, the semifinal between India and England equally good. It was Sandeep Patil all the way and Bob Willis the captain of English team was the gracious loser not like the current lots.
T-20 never fascinated me and I cannot say that winning T-20 world cup is one of the greatest moments in Indian cricket history. I consider that, the last two series in Australia was exceptional and the ODI series win in OZ was too good.
This time around, world cup has more media attention and more money, it is pouring from the sky. Sangakara, Sri Lankan captain, cool captain indeed, this man has the guts, lying in front of 68 million people is really cool job, hats of to you Sanga, Bravo. Sanga, you can keep it up, obviously you do not bother much about India or Indian cricket but sorry to say you may be in trouble if you repeat the same act in future you will lose many friends in India and do not forget a job in IPL, it is huge one. Tillakaratne Dilshan, very good cricketer but equally very bad sportsperson. I have high regards for Sri Lankan players like Muralitharan, Jayawardene and others.
This world cup is no exception than other. Some minnows performed exceptionally well specially Ireland and Netherlands. Every match England played was a cracker and some of their player not able to handle that pressure subsequently left for their country in the middle. Both Quarterfinal and as well as Semifinal was evenly fought and tension level was very high specially India-Pakistan match.
On final day, like every Indian soul and me, with my substantial knowledge of cricket was down when Sri Lanka amass 275, chasing in Wankhede at night is not an easy task. Hoping, if and if Sehwag can give a start and stay in the middle for at least twenty overs it would be gettable but things works other way, Sehwag and Sachin departed early. It was unbelievable so it is sweeter. Dhoni had the courage which no other captain could have done at that juncture, promoted himself in the batting order, luck favoured him and as well as India. These fifteen boys had done India proud, Indians are eager to share their tears and joys. For Sachin, whatever he touched turned into gold and whatever he asked for he got it, but he deserves it. Last word for Yuvraj, you are just awesome, keep it up, you deserve it and please do not run after the Bollywood belles, not again. A million thanks to Gary Kirsten.
Nice to see that Kolkata rising above Saurav Ganguli to celebrate the moment of glory. They should learn that no individual is bigger than a country. The Flag, National anthem and Country stands above all and when whole country cheers, feeling is beyond everything.
Bottom Line : Some body can tell me the exact age of Sahid Afridi, he yet to grow up. No one knows it better than him, how to Hisses with a GOOD HEART.
!!!In this moment, I cannot think anything apart from - India….India……India…………India!!!
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