The stage was set for the biggest game of the world cup. There are many famous sporting rivalries but none of them come closer to that of India v Pakistan. Whenever these two sides meet the air gets thick, one can sense the pride and nationalism on the faces of all the people across borders and it gives another chance for diplomats to try and revive the broken relationships and once again make promises of peace. No matter what and how much ever you say to yourself, that it is just a game - but the fact is that it is NOT just a game. If it was just another game, people would not have taken impromptu day off from work. People would not have installed new LCD TV sets at public places, junctions and stations and the roads would'nt have been empty during peak hours.
So this was it. The crowd was in full attendance with distinguished guests from both countries seated in the VVIP boxes. On this day the toss was crucial and MS Dhoni called it right. However his team selection raised a li'l furore but all was forgotten when players got down in the middle to do the business. Virender Sehwag once again showed that he has no nerves, he plays in his natural way that he knows, if the ball is there to be hit, he hits them hard. Umar Gul was punished badly and he lost his line and length completely as he gave away 5 boundaries in a single over. India were cruising along and it seemed like 300+ score is on the cards. I have not seen a match where Sachin got as many as 5 lives. Yesterday he was helped by DRS system as well as Pakistan's fielders. Yet Sachin fretted away opportunity to score his 100th ton. At this stage, Pakistan were on top and once again Indian innings seemed to crumble under pressure. Suresh Raina batted sensibly to take score to 260 and set up a fighting total.
The battle was on and we had a game hung by narrowest of threads. Indian bowlers, supposedly weakest link of this magnificent team defended the total and bowled deceptively to pick wickets at regular intervals. Who would have thunk that? As usual whenever India had needed wickets in this tournament they have had to look to Zaheer Khan or Yuvraj Singh to provide those break throughs. Though it was not Yuvi's day with the bat he did well with the ball by picking 2 wickets in succession in space of 3 runs. First was an arm ball to dismiss Shafiq and then loopy delivery to outfox Younis Khan who hit straight to Raina at covers. India were inching closer towards the victory. Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi hit some lusty blows but that was not going to stop vigorous Indian players who were getting all the cheering from Mohali crowd. Opting to play Ashish Nehra for R Ashwin was a bold gamble that paid off.
INDIA 5 - 0 PAKISTAN.
We will remember this game all our lives. Pakistan's fine bowling could not compensate for its abysmal catching skills. India's batting was below its best but MS Dhoni's men showed admirable courage whenever the chips were down. Team India deserved to win this game; Pakistan didn't. Hard luck, my friend Jack!
The joy erupted out of the billion Indian fans, many danced on the streets and celebrated the victory last night and a few let small tears of happiness trickle through dreamy eyes and all of them prayed to the Almighty to give us another day like this on Saturday. The finals at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai has got all the ingredients for being a cracker of a cricket contest between the two best Asian countries - India and Sri Lanka. The two teams have played against each other on numerous occasions in last 2 years so there will not be any surprise element or added pressure for the two teams. Sri Lanka have beaten New Zealand twice and not so good England on home soil before coming into the finals. India on other hand, have played a "mini-final" against Oz and "final of all the finals" against Pakistan so they look a well prepared unit to take on the Lankans.All the talk will be about Sachin playing in his home ground, 100th century, may be last world cup game but all that matters to Dhoni & Co. is India winning the World Cup 2011.
So Mumbai Let us up the decibels and give a loud roar for Team India, say Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray!!! Come on India - Bleed Blue!!!
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A close game that came down to one thing and one thing only.The old chestnut.Catches win matches.Has Tendulkar been pouched early on in his innings it might have been a lot tighter.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly,this leads to a real opportunity to establish some better links politically between India and Pakistan.The IPL can help by allowing Pakistani players to play.Perhaps offer Afridi the chance to captain a franchise.
Seeing the 2 Prime Ministers yesterday should allow the people of both countries the chance to end this stand off.Maybe both nations could give ground to create a free Kashmir state?
As for the final,well 2 evenly matched teams.It will come down to who takes their catches.
Such moves have been taken earlier as well by both governments, but unless Pak helps in demolishing terror squads and jehadis from their own country it will be difficult to see ties improving between 2 countries.
ReplyDeleteKashmir is part of India and it shall remain. This was decided way back in 1947 in agreement with the then Pak Govt. Why change things now?
In fairness Suhas,there are terrorist cells throughout the world,Mumbai attacks,Bali,London,Madrid.The list (sadly) goes on and on.Isolating Pakistan can only make matters worse.The British Government for years tried to isolate the IRA and it got us nowhere.Only political acceptance,dialogue and compromise can help.
ReplyDeleteAs for Kashmir,you have a state being divided into 3 with Pakistan,China and India all ruling separate areas.An independent nation of Kashmir would make an excellent starting point.
I don't think so it is a good idea. Ultimately it is upto them and people of Kashmir to decide if they want and they think they can make progress as an independent nation and people are happy then so be it. There's lot at stake and we are far from reality. Most of the times we dont even know what political games are played at high level with K word.
ReplyDeleteI'll be visiting Kashmir later this year from 14th AUG-22nd AUG. So, I hope its peaceful at that time so that I can enjoy my trip.