World Champions 2011: Playing for a Cause

I have always been hearing about the biggest day in Indian Cricket. The day in 1983 when we won the World Cup and how Indian Cricket changed forever. Stories have been passed down on how Kapil Dev single handedly scored 175 to secure a berth in the finals. Anecdotes about a spirited catch from Kapil in the finals uplifted the team morale and eventually lifted the World Cup. All this while, with each passing World Cup, I hoped to witness history and be the storyteller.

On April 2nd,2011, I did witness history and what a glorious moment it was. A moment to be proud of and to be cherished all my life. Yes, we are the world champions!!! 2011 World Cup was special in more ways than one. Of course, it’s a world class tournament and more often than not the team which is skilled and mentally strong prevails. But the 2011 world cup was special for many reason – Firstly, It’s been 28 long years that we haven't won the cup and after the Indian team’s disastrous exit in 2007 aspirations and emotions were sky high that we get through this time. After all, there are some advantages of a billion plus population. Secondly,in all likelihood, this might be Sachin’s last world cup (though you never know, he is like an old wine, getting better with age ) and in his illustrious career it would be a gross aberration if he goes without a World Cup medal. And I think precisely for these reasons that we managed to get better off all the best teams in this world cup.

This reminds me of a hugely inspiring speech by Butch Jimenez titled “What’s better than?” where he elaborates the difference between a vision and a cause. While Lanka played for the World Cup, we played for a cause.

Lastly, I would request our president, Mrs. Pratibha Patil to put some good use of her term in office and confer the highest medal possible to the Indian team. After all a team which unites, brings joy and an undisputed sense of pride amongst 1.2 billion people who are otherwise treated with massive misgovernance and often denied of basic amenities, deserve it.

Proud,
Neo.

 

P.S: There has been lot of clamoring amongst our netas to shine in this reflected glory and announcing cash rich awards. If any one can please remind them that India is not ruled by kings anymore who used to declare monetary rewards on their whims and fancies.

Vision Twenty20? - Yes Y Not!!!

Honestly speaking posting, I was not a supporter of Twenty20, the new short format of cricket. It’s natural to have resistance to change. Probably, the “purist” in me was not ready to accept the change. When the game changed last time – from 5 day looong format to One Day – am sure there must be disbelievers. I can now feel their resistance then. But One Days are now as traditional as the Tests.

I started in to the Twenty20 World Cup Tournament as a disbeliever in the format. Mostly thinking, the game has unfairly tilted towards the batsman. But as the series have progressed, I have to admit that my views have changed. We had matches where bowlers have done a fine job and were instrumental in winning the match. The batsman is now under pressure to perform a feat of fours and sixes and a strike rate of 100 is just average. The bowlers tend to be at the receiving end in this blitz striking of ball but then even one dot ball turns the game.

Finally, it’s not about bowlers or batsmen as much as it is about the format. I have really warmed up to the format. The most appealing part of the format is the huge unpredictability which it comes with. Cricket, I think so, is one of the few sports which has historically involved in it a great deal of uncertainty – which is a trademark glory of Cricket. How many times we have heard commentators uttering trite words – “The game is not over till the last bowl is bowled”. Twenty20 has made the game extremely fickle, making it swing either ways and in the event makes it one of the most entertaining to watch.

More than the format, it was the need to innovate the game of cricket. Times are always changing and more importantly; change is the order of new time. Test Cricket, the purest and premier form of the game, is archaic. One-days too have lost their charm mainly because of a day long match, many times resulting in one sided contest. The boredom of sluggish middle overs was another major turnoff. With other sports offering an entertaining and short 3 hours to the very time strapped youngsters, Cricket needed a surgery to become trim and lean. After all, we are a “2-Minute” generation.

I have my frustrations too. But they are not on the format. I want to shout when India takes a wicket, pump up the volume and celebrate with the team; instead I am forced to face a disconnected ad which just makes me feel like making a ball of the telecaster and bash him with my bat. (I think so) The poor guy has his reason. The telecasters now have 40 overs to beam instead of 100. This is a perfect yorker on their ad sales and don’t want to miss the minutest minute to bombard you with ads.

Will Twenty20 become the order of the day by burying Fifty50? I won’t go against the Gods by predicting. Meanwhile, Cricket has become something which it never was - Fast, Exciting and Entertaining.

Converted,
Neo