Man's reach exceeds his imagination.
This time the stars aligned perfectly. Winning the cricket world cup has been a long cherished dream for us. It is significant for so many reasons. Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest player the game has seen in recent times participated in five world cups, but was still with out a world cup victory. The world cup's second homecoming christens Tendulkar. It breaths life in Yuvraj's twilight years. It screams that a young team of talented individuals can bleed blue. It amplifies the echos of a resurgent India. And more importantly, it makes the 1.2 billion inhabitants of the planet who adore this totem, a force to be reckoned with.
The 1983 victory didn't matter to me. The first friends I made were on the cricket field. The first time I remained up all night watching telly was during an India ODI. I have experienced the highs and lows of Indian cricket just like any other cricket loving kid growing up in the 90s. So when we lost in 2003 and perished in 2007, the corner of my eye was a little moist. This time around however, there was a wide grin on my face along with a dry throat. Shouting and reveling with the brethren seemed like a transported act that sent me right back to where I belonged. My childhood.
India won the 2011 cricket world cup. Maximum city erupted with celebrations. Mass hysteria has swept the nation and Indians all around the world are relishing this momentous occasion. Cricket begets nationalism like anything seen in the world of sports. With Indians already high on MSD for the entire month and a half of world cup mania, the zephyric-crescendo culminated on the fateful night of 2nd April, 2011. MSD, thundered for the first time announcing the arrival of world champions. A power shot over the boundary rope, as Ravi Shastri shouted from the commentary box, sealed that memory forever in our minds. What a game, what an evening, what an amazing weekend.
Hours before capturing the entire soul of the nation, the world cup swayed in a delicate balance, as Sri Lanka posted a formidable total on board. Indians dove in the field like hungry vultures, pouncing that white flesh of kookaburra every time it came close. Mahela, the cunning silver fox, produced a grand display of calculated hitting, scripted a gripping first half and set the stage for a resplendent second half. What would be in store, as team India went inside for the lunch break. Twenty minutes later walked in the local boy - the master blaster and his protege. However, Malinga spoiled the mood early on, jarring a billion. Gambhir came to the fore, once again on duty, at the greatest stage he would ever come close playing and laid down the launchpad from where the Indian party would take off. He has done that so many times, that he has become the equivalent of Rahul Dravid under the shadow of Sachin Tendulkar. Resilient, accomplished, team man, unsung hero.
Minutes later MSD came in the middle to prove a point and stroked away his destiny, per his terms and conditions. He initiated the charge transfer from Gambhir and then took over complete control. He must have dreamt about this for a long time. The moment lay frozen and Dhoni rose up to the occasion. For all the big talk, press conferences and tactical fiascoes this was his inning of redemption. Had he lost in the gambit, only God knows what would have happened. The audiance is simple. Solid all the way through. Captain cool was wearing the coolest hat over the spiked hair. He worked his way through the second half and got to see something remarkable. The look on the faces of his audience. He brought the game home.
As the glory of victory sinks in, Dhoni has once again altered his hairdo. They will soon have a different plan of action with new outlook and attitude. Till then, we will be safeguarding the honor manufactured perseveringly over the generations of men that enclosed Kumbles, Dravids, Gangulys, and Azhars. Somehow the purpose was not lost until after 28 years team India mastered the art of marrying unbridled passion with the nerve.
Man's grasp exceeds his nerve.
