Day 94-2011 : The Cup of Joy!

I have always wondered as to why, when we won the Prudential World Cup in 1983, no one told me about it.  The hype and the celebrations over the win were not very apparent, at least to me.  There was one household in our locality who had drawn the pictures of some men on the front outer wall of their house, but I did not know who the men were.  No one was dancing, no one was asking me to participate in the celebrations and nobody was hysterical.

28 years down the line, I realise that it is a very different world!  Yes, India won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 yesterday and the scenes of celebrations had to be seen to be believed.  Not that I saw any of them live.  But the news channels on the television have been going on and on about the celebrations that ensued across the nation throughout last night!

India was being tagged as the favourites to win this tournament even before it began.  The No.1 status in Test Cricket, the fact that we were the hosts and the team's recent form meant that everyone was expecting this team, with a mighty batting line up and a not so strong bowling and fielding side, to win the tournament.  Yesterday, Team India delivered on that.  In spite of the pressure of the expectations of a 1.21 billion strong country, playing at home.

My view is that Team India, though very strong due to an unending stream of solid (and explosive) batsmen, was not necessarily top draw because of the bowling attack.  The bowling attack consisting of Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Ashwin, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan and the other part timers was not exactly a strong one.  However, this spirited group of people put on a great show on the bowling side in almost all of the matches.  They understood their limitations, bowled to their strengths and within themselves.  Zaheer and Yuvraj were the stars!  Each time Dhoni needed a wicket he called upon Zaheer...and he invariably delivered.  He has made amends for 2007, and how!

Yuvraj  is a completely different story altogether.  Criticised for his temperament, lack of focus and fitness, the 'Prince' came back from the brink!  To win the Player of the Tournament award!  It was very evident that a lot of work on the mental conditioning side has gone into this turnaround.  He was imperious with the bat and bowled with guile!  His fielding, especially in the final match, was top class!  The Prince had arrived...again!

The 'GOD' was at his usual best.  Scoring almost each time he went to the crease, he finished second best in terms of the number of runs scored by batsmen in the tournament.  He got closer to the 100th century but could not quite get there.  He however, has a World Cup medal finally!  The dream has been fulfilled.  The entire team wanted to win it for Sachin.  To me, it doesn't really matter what Sachin does with his cricketing career from now on.  He is a living legend and there will be no one like him...never ever! 

Last but not the least, was the captain.  Dhoni was in a class of his own.  He has now won all the major cricket tournaments as a captain.  The 20-20 World Cup, IPL, The Champions League, No.1 Test Ranking for India and now the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011!  We need to create some more tournaments to whet his appetite, I guess.  Evidently, he has shown great leadership skills over the last four years, since he took over as the captain of Team India in all forms of cricket!  Take a bow!

When Dhoni hit the winning runs with the six yesterday, we were shouting, jumping and hugging each other.  A spontaneous release of all the built up tension over the last few weeks while following the team.  The tournament itself was not devoid of controversies.  From the controversy on the allotment of tickets to that of match fixing allegations during the semis and the final.  I do not know if the match-fixing allegations were true...and now, I do not care.  I have realised that something which can give joy and happiness to so many people is best enjoyed at face value.  I love the feeling.  There is a spring in my step.  I am walking on air.

Enjoy the sense of achievement, India.  Enjoy the victory!

Take care.

Day 48-2011 : The Cup That Counts!

Sounds a bit tacky, doesn't it?  The Cup That Counts.  Somehow, it just doesn't sound quite right.  And given that there are many like me who think there is too much cricket being played, I am not sure if it really counts!

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is here.  The sub-continent is the host.  All the competing teams are here.  A couple of practice matches have been played.  The opening ceremony today at Dhaka was a big spectacle.  We are all set...for the cricket extravaganza of the year!

Or maybe not.  I thought the hype leading to the event itself has been a bit subdued.  It might be the result of the ambush advertising ban enforced by ICC.  Basically, ICC, with an Indian politician at its helm, knows the value of money and the fact that it can milk its exclusive rights over the tournament.  Thus the ban on cricketers appearing in advertisements of competing brands of ICC's main sponsors.  The cricketers, who know the value of money as well and the fact that they can milk the fan following for the game in the sub-continent, tried their best to hop, skip and jump the ban.  It is, after all, all about money, honey!

Whatever be the case, I am going to enjoy the games, even if the one day game sometimes tests our patience.  Thanks to 20-20 cricket.  There has been a lot of talk about India being the favourites.  Australia, with their recent success over the Poms and the Proteas are also strong sides.  I think they are equally good compared to the Indian team.  And then, there is the mercurial Pakistan team, which on its day, can make mincemeat of any team in the world.  Like a true patriot, I am rooting for the Indian team.  With a captain who is an expert at absorbing the pressure with his ice cool demeanour and a team that believes in itself, I think they can actually do it.  But, who knows!  Cricket, as they say, is a game of great uncertainties.  Maybe one of the minnows, most likely to be Bangladesh with its home advantage too, might spring a series of surprises.  They did so at the last World Cup in 2007.  I doubt if many of the minnows will do well like in 2007, but at least one or two of them are likely to make a mark.

I am also looking forward to the event very keenly due to the presence of some of the biggest stars of the game in the same event.  I am hoping that Sachin Tendulkar, who is most certainly playing his last World Cup, might put up a special show for us all.  Ponting, Gayle, Brett Lee, Afridi, Malinga, Yusuf, Sehwag and many many other exciting stars.  The other exciting part would be the discovery of some new stars which the tournament might throw up. 

Lastly, one of the things that I wanted to do this time was go and watch a match in person at the stadium.  A quick peek at the ticket prices and availability put paid to that wish.  I am much better of watching all the matches that I want at home on the idiot box which provides the luxury of action replays, highlights, quick access to key statistics and views of expert commentators.

Enjoy the game.  May the best team win.  Play!

Take care!

P.S.: The tag line, though, still doesn't sound right.