Cup of Joy: An Alternate Reality

April 2, 2011 must be feeling like an over-milked cow. The day was anticipated, much before its eventual arrival, thanks to the media frenzy and those 'Kings of Cricket' sitting, high and handsome, in the studios. When the fateful day finally arrived, the world seemed to have come to a halt. India and Indians were singing, dancing and hugging each other, from Bhagalpur to Birmimgham. It was perhaps the most emotional moment for Modern India.

But is this triumph only about painted faces, hoarse voices and SMS rhetoric? Does a World Cup victory stand prominent only because it happened after 28 years? Mauling the Lankans, Taming the Aussies and overcoming the Pakistanis, is that all what we sought? Perhaps not.

• The World Cup victory confirms, once again, that cricket is the greatest binding force in this country. Two of its nearest rivals, politics and cinema, seem to be fading away in comparison. While politicos are getting neck-deep in dirt day by day, cinema seems to be developing and defining its own varied target audience. The universal appeal seems to have waned from films, barring a few like Dabangg. However, cricket seems to be nullifying the 'niche' phenomenon. I, myself, do not remember how may people hugged me and did a high-five at India Gate on that fateful night.
• This triumph comes as a relief for the common Indian man, who was reeling under a series of shocking scams, raging inflation and a certain degree of gloominess. This victory makes us believe that we have finally arrived, and are a force to reckon with. We have always been there and thereabout, talent sans finesse, roads sans destinations; this win is set to change all that. India has always craved for idols, those inspirational figures or role models, this world cup gifted us a squad of heroes.
• The proceedings at the world cup final also confirm the notion that life is never perfect. The only perfect thing in this world is the word 'perfect' itself. Sachin Tendulkar realized his dream of kissing that coveted trophy but could not notch-up that 100^th ton in the final. The cake was there to relish, but the cherry on the top was missing. MS Dhoni scored a brilliant 91 not out, Gambhir scored most vital 97 runs of his career, but their names would never feature in that list of century makers in a world cup final. Life gives us a lot of happiness, but attaches a small little moral at the end. We, as individuals, and Team India, as a cricketing side, have a lot to achieve in life. Sachin Tendulkar, perhaps, did the right thing by not retiring from ODIs.
• According to me, this historic victory carried a very significant message 'for the youth and from the youth'. The sight of a Virat Kohli handing over the 'stump' to Sachin and showering praises on him in the post match interview, was truly exceptional. Young Indians are non-conventional, like to freak out, break a few rules, but are sensitive and responsible when the situation demands. So, Yuvarj Singh is not only a part hopper, he also happens to be Man of the Tournament in the cricket world cup 2011. MS Dhoni not only can sport long locks, but can also shave off his hair to fulfill a religious vow. This is a tempting blend of modernity and tradition, and in this very blend, rests India's future recipe. 

• This world cup also proves that victory is the prerogative of a certain breed only. The victor must have control over his words, mannerisms and behavior. MS Dhoni fits this bill perfectly, while someone like a Shahid Afridi comes across as a complaining kid. His outburst against India, after arriving in Pakistan, was not at all outrageous. Rather it was extremely funny and makes me pity the atmosphere of fear and insecurity in Pakistan. It was a last ditch effort by the captain to retain his post, after being trounced by India in the semis.

A Dream Come True

TO BE CONTINUED

P.S.: The writer thinks that having evening tea in that 'cup' is a more fulfilling experience now.

Of Shame, Hope and Some More Hope

What's in a defeat? One comes across wins and losses quite regularly in his/her life. Actually life in itself is nothing but an aggregation of "jeet and haar". This ideologue stands true, even more, in case of competitive sport. No sportsperson or a team can imagine to win all matches or end up losing all. There is a small little piece of sweet cake and a pinch of salt for everyone.

Though a loss does not matter much in sport, the way you lose does. India's loss to South Africa in Nagpur last night was hard to digest, in this very regard. After being in a commanding position for at least 35 overs in both the innings, the Indian team threw away the match much like a distraught child throws away the biscuit he does not like! It was shocking to see the extent to which a team can self destruct and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, almost adamantly.

A man called Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar came out to bat around 2.30 in the afternoon. From the very first ball he faced, the intention was clear. He wanted to excel personally, bring laurels to the country and take that one more step towards what has been the only unfulfilled dream in his iconic career. He was reasonably supported by an arrogant Sehwag who batted foolishly for the first 10 overs. His ability to rotate the strike is questionable, his attitude hinges on selfishness, at times. But still he hung around and butchered the South African attack. On the other end, a poetry was in motion. As cool as a January morning and as calm as the sea of tranquility itself. Sachin was less violent and doubly effective. The lofted shots were back and he had a better strike rate than Sehwag, in whatever strike he got.

But the here the story ends. What happened henceforth was hard to comprehend and difficult to digest. India lost last 9 wickets for 29 runs. From 267/1 at one stage, the team finally folded at 296 without even lasting their allotted 50 overs. It was a shameful display and the famed Indian batting line up looked a bunch of idiots. Everyone was trying to play a glamorous shot and make it to the newspaper front page. All of them forgot that singles and doubles are lifeline of cricket. But alas, adventurism and glitz seems to have made heavy inroads in the minds of these Tees Maar Khans.

I feel ashamed at the very thought of these players swearing to win the Cup for their paaji a few days back. Their paaji is far more committed and rather self sufficient to achieve this feat. You guys are only here to pose to the shutterbags and endorse brands. That zeal, that pride to play a world cup for India is clearly missing.

MS Dhoni was horrible as a captain. His decision to hand over the ball to Ashish Nehra for the last over was baffling. As a batsman, he foolishly took singles on first balls of the overs and handed over the strike to the likes of Khan and Nehra. There is some serious lapse of wisdom and mental agility on his part. He better pull up his socks and pants, stop pretending to be unperturbed and start showing some urgency.

It was a bitter loss. Something which will drain the team mentally and leave a strong impact on their minds. They themselves dug their graves and now it will be tough to come out of it. The game against windies is their last chance to register a 'proper' win before the knock stage commences.

A billion of hopes are hoping against hope. I am being called an emotional fool, a traitor, whatever. I dont mind these tags if the team recovers well in time. A World Cup glory is all I seek. and trust me I will dance on the rooftop if it happens. Because howsoever critical I might be, at the end of day I am an stupid Indian cricket fan!

P.S. The above post is a combined effort of an ardent Indian team/cricket lover and a shrewd critic.

And we thought, winning the world cup was our birthright!

Cricket is a religion in this country, very right, but its only when you take off the spectacles of devotion from your eyes, the dark truth makes an appearance. India, for the second time in a row, made chasing a modest total look like a process as complicated as pregnancy. Bowlers leaked runs like a damaged sewer leaks water. Batsmen wobbled around as if there was an ant under their pants. All this, before a packed Kotla crowd, which in anticipation of a demolition of sorts of the Netherlands by India, had thronged the stadium.

 MS Dhoni was at loss of words while explaining India's precarious performance. His usual diplomacy did not augur well either with the fans or the media. I lauded him for deciding to field first against a somewhat dangerous Irish side. But his tactics against Netherlands were quite questionable and left me wondering whether there is a hint of arrogance under that garb of coolness.

• Why declare that India was looking for an 'easy game' even before the first ball was bowled? Do you look for tough games when you go into field? Is not it the hope for a comprehensive victory that should drive you into the filed, every time you step in?
• What prompted you to undermine Dutch's prowess? Does your team, at the moment, look like winning every game? No, it does not. Do you think your team can beat minnows comfortably? Wasn't Ireland a lesson? First fix your own woes, then take your oppositions lightly. A mature captain of a cricket crazy nation must not play to the gallery and declare intentions first up. Your boastfulness belittled India's effort even more!

Indian team is hugely imbalanced at the moment. It looks like a bunch of talented school kids, basking in their own little world of glories. While bowlers are absolutely clueless about their job, batsmen seem to be following their own agenda. As if a Sehwag was not 'natural' enough, we have a Pathan to accompany him. On bowling front, Piyush Chawla is being given a longer run for no reason whatsoever. Harbhajan Singh is a liability, to say the least. Time for a well-deserved reality-check!

• Harbhajan Singh! Get a life! You are a pathetic One-Day Bowler! You don't deserve a place in playing XI. Doing monkey acts and participating in dance shows seems to have gone into your head. 2 wickets in 4 games show that you are not capable of taking wickets. You can not spin a cricket bowl. You are virtually impotent.
• Virender Sehwag! Why do you think you are God's greatest devastating gift to planet? Why are you so arrogant and over confident? Why you seem to be in a constant hurry and anger? What's bothering you? Till when will continue playing your 'natural game'? Add some grace to your butcher ways! Sometimes you are pain to eyes!
• Yusuf Pathan, why do you look lost while batting. Add some brain behind your raw power and you would be fine. Boundary rope is not the only thing in a cricket field. There are plenty of gaps, here and there, that are meant to be used. If you continue in this fashion, I am sorry to say, you have a short cricketing career under your sleeve.
• Piyush Chawla! You are self proclaimed heir of Anil Kumble in this country. I learn that you are a 'young talent' since 3-4 years and are being 'groomed'. The captain seems to have a 'special liking' for you. Between all this, can you please start leg spinning, your primary job. Please get rid of your 'baby' image, when you don that blue jersey next time!

Sorry to say, this team does not have in it to lift 'the cup that matters'. However, I would like to be proven wrong. 

MSD 'The Leader' Impressed me..(Ind Vs Ireland)

Yesterday, MS Dhoni impressed me first up. His decision to bowl first after winning the toss was excellent and well thought of , it smelled of chanakyaneeti. He fizzled out half of the Irish Challenge by not batting first. Remember, Ireland, and most of the underdogs, fancy their chances while chasing a total. Whether they have to chase 250 or 350, they play their 'natural game', without fear of losing. Once the task of 'setting a target' is assigned to them, they start doubting their abilities. Also, Ireland was fresh from its conquest of Mount England, and would have loved to chase, come what may.

Dhoni's decision might have disappointed the fans who wanted to see another Sachin epic or Sehwag blitzkrieg, but the eventual result must have delighted them. Also, by bowling first, Dhoni gave a chance to his off-color bowlers to get some groove ahead of business end of the tournament. Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer looked very impressive, and this augurs well for India in future.

Though, I am not very much fond of this lad from Ranchi, but this single decision has forced me to respect his leadership skills even more. It was a well-calculated decision by the skipper, which is sure to benefit the team. Yes, Ireland did offer great resistance and tried their best to topple Dhoni's calculations, but at the end India were the better team and deserved full points from the game. 

Ireland might have lost the game but have won millions of hearts across the cricketing world. They continue to get better and better with every game and the call for granting them full ODI Status is bound to get shriller and louder.

Meanwhile, South Africa imploded, much to my fear. RSA's loss to England was yet another instance of its vulnerability and inability to handle tensed situations. By far, they looked the best team in the tournament, but yesterday's defeat makes them look very ordinary. On the other hand, England continues to surprise me. Their rise and fall and rise, is somewhat like classic English literature. It has aura, romanticism and dignity around it. 

The Cup is only 'quarter full'. Much more yet to come. Stay glued!