Like several thousand fellow Indians on this side of this planet, I too experienced disturbed sleep at night purely in anticipation of the World cup finals. If the quarterfinal victory against the Aussies was more of a victory over their arrogant ego and the semi final victory against the pakistanis was to prove an all pervading dominance over the "I-need-you-in-order-to-hate-you" neighbour, the final victory was needed for us Indians. We needed it desparately.
In each of the billion minds, there were several expectations brimming, some expressed in words and the rest supressed in prayers. Each person's world came to a grinding halt when the coin was tossed and in spirit they all moved to the Wankhede. From the point when the Lankans choosing to hold the willow first, each moment, expectations soared and sank. While every wicket brought cheers, each boundary was accompanied with a bundle of sighs. Stars from the movie world and politics were mere spectators. In front of every television set several Kirstens sprang up offering "just in time" strategies. By the end of the Lankan innings, it was a "we can but maybe we may not" feeling in many. The prayers gained strength and resolve. Faith in a few of the playing eleven increased. The centurian was appreciated but not the punishing of dear Zahir.
After a shortended break, as the Indian openers walked down the pitch, took guard and focussed on the fire spitting bowler, the atmopheres changed.The expectation to see the ball racing to the ropes clubbed with the fear of the bails getting toppled. Sehwag's departure created a flutter but was compensated by the flow of classy shots from the demi god. Soon a deafening nick and a loud appeal followed by the walk back to dressing room. Taking time to digest, all hopes and expectations were rewritten. Total focus shifted to the run chase. World cup by him gradually turned into World cup for him. As the overs progressed, confidence bounced back and the prospects of winning the coveted title started sinking in. The final sixer from the Captain let free the child. Jumping, screaming, clapping and hugging, the expressions were boundless. It was not a love for the game but for the players. The sliding fall at the boundary line or the midair dives at square leg were not merely to stop a run. Those were the extra effort by each player to grab the cup. "I am on top of the world" feeling. If someone would have offered a fortune in exchange for this feeling, I could instantly reject it.I realised how desparate I was to feel this way. How much I had longed for this and missed it. The awards declared by the various governments fail to bother me because the all powerful feeling that stood above everything else. The next morning, there is fragrance all around, the birds are chirping louder, strangers are smiling - that same feeling is doing wonders.
I realise this feeling will gradually diminish into a quoted statement. I am fortunte to have had this. The prayers now start seeking to let this stay forever.
1 comments:
When India won this last time I was in my 9th std. Sometimes I used to think why such a long time of 28 years to get it again when only 8 countries competitively playing this game and at the time of world cup only 4-5 teams will be in form. Hope the future will not be as bad as this 28 years gap!!
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