'That's the way Mahi ve..!' 28 years later, all that one could see was that intense look in the eyes and a power packed six which vociferously stamped India's victory in the WORLD CUP. What a sight Dhoni was? completely sure, calm and absolutely focused, almost a corollary to his team mate on the other side Yuvi who was pushed to tears on the realisation of the dream that every Indian dreamt for 28 years. The victory had much more in store that what meets the eye!
There were moments of catharsis and certain lessons that really mean a lot to any garm josh individual.
Lesson no.1- NEVER SAY NEVER: After all India proved in more than one way. it was historically not only the first team to chase a WC final's score and win it but also the first team who won the world cup on home grounds thereby proving that no so called norm can come in the way of a strong mind or eventually the victory
Lesson no.2- PERSEVERANCE PAYS: Sachin waited 12 years for this day and while he waited he gave people some fantastic cricket to experience. It is almost as if the world cup victory was icing with a juicy cherry on cake but it was certainly not all that he would be remembered by. As SRK rightly said, 'aajkal bhagwan bhi confuse ho gaya hai, usse log Sachin keh ke bula rahe hain'. Despite that the man is the image of humility and pride.
Lesson no.3- PHOENIX IS NOT A MYTH:
Almost like the rise of the phoenix, Yuvraj singh made a comeback and became the 'man of the tournament' which was not just well deserved but surprising too. The man was almost written off after the T20 WC loss which led to many criticisms from the real to the 'armchair' critics. My dad-in-law very often calls him 'gas bag' much on the lines of too much attitude but zero altitude. I am sure after encountering many jokes on his physical girth, Yuvi has had a mighty last laugh. Here's hoping that Dad would finally be more than happy to relieve Yuvi off that title.
Lesson no.4- TEAM PLAYING IS THE KEY: The team was not just together in effort but in spirit as well. Their love and respect for Sachin surpassed any criticism any of them could have lent on his non performance in the final match. Each one of them unanimously spoke that they created history for 'Sachin'. After all, no matter how great a group is, if emotion has no place in it, it will never do well.
Lesson no.5- GOOD COACH= GREAT TEAM: Gary Kirsten got together a team which was probably reeling under a lot of insecurity, under confidence and self doubting individuals three years ago. It is under his tactful, disciplined & honest coaching that the team reached new heights. He made them walk the thin line between self confidence and inflated ego thereby teaching them much beyond what all of them would already know about the game.
Lesson no. 6- IT IS EASY TO CRITICISE THAN TO BE CORRECT: last but not the least, Dhoni's acceptance speech at the finale podium said it all. In a very tongue-in-cheek manner he spoke about how fickle natured cricket fans are. all the questions about choosing sreesanth over Ashwin, chasing a high score and missing opportunities to score could be now put to rest since we have won the world cup. bitter yet true. We are all such 'arm chair' critics. We cannot possibly be all ok all the time in our lives but love to bash someone else up for how wrong he/she is and that includes the game that is so close to all our hearts. Seriously we gotta stop that.
In the end, all's well that ends well. Although I was just 2 when we won the world cup in 1983, I am immensely happy that now after many many years, a colored photo of Dhoni and team will replace the black and white memory of Kapil dev and men for any mention or promo of World cup. The montage and the memories are fresh and definitely delightfully colorful! Dhoni, bade cup mein chai ka mazaa hi kuchh aur hai..!
There were moments of catharsis and certain lessons that really mean a lot to any garm josh individual.
Lesson no.1- NEVER SAY NEVER: After all India proved in more than one way. it was historically not only the first team to chase a WC final's score and win it but also the first team who won the world cup on home grounds thereby proving that no so called norm can come in the way of a strong mind or eventually the victory
Lesson no.2- PERSEVERANCE PAYS: Sachin waited 12 years for this day and while he waited he gave people some fantastic cricket to experience. It is almost as if the world cup victory was icing with a juicy cherry on cake but it was certainly not all that he would be remembered by. As SRK rightly said, 'aajkal bhagwan bhi confuse ho gaya hai, usse log Sachin keh ke bula rahe hain'. Despite that the man is the image of humility and pride.
Lesson no.3- PHOENIX IS NOT A MYTH:
Almost like the rise of the phoenix, Yuvraj singh made a comeback and became the 'man of the tournament' which was not just well deserved but surprising too. The man was almost written off after the T20 WC loss which led to many criticisms from the real to the 'armchair' critics. My dad-in-law very often calls him 'gas bag' much on the lines of too much attitude but zero altitude. I am sure after encountering many jokes on his physical girth, Yuvi has had a mighty last laugh. Here's hoping that Dad would finally be more than happy to relieve Yuvi off that title.
Lesson no.4- TEAM PLAYING IS THE KEY: The team was not just together in effort but in spirit as well. Their love and respect for Sachin surpassed any criticism any of them could have lent on his non performance in the final match. Each one of them unanimously spoke that they created history for 'Sachin'. After all, no matter how great a group is, if emotion has no place in it, it will never do well.
Lesson no.5- GOOD COACH= GREAT TEAM: Gary Kirsten got together a team which was probably reeling under a lot of insecurity, under confidence and self doubting individuals three years ago. It is under his tactful, disciplined & honest coaching that the team reached new heights. He made them walk the thin line between self confidence and inflated ego thereby teaching them much beyond what all of them would already know about the game.
Lesson no. 6- IT IS EASY TO CRITICISE THAN TO BE CORRECT: last but not the least, Dhoni's acceptance speech at the finale podium said it all. In a very tongue-in-cheek manner he spoke about how fickle natured cricket fans are. all the questions about choosing sreesanth over Ashwin, chasing a high score and missing opportunities to score could be now put to rest since we have won the world cup. bitter yet true. We are all such 'arm chair' critics. We cannot possibly be all ok all the time in our lives but love to bash someone else up for how wrong he/she is and that includes the game that is so close to all our hearts. Seriously we gotta stop that.
In the end, all's well that ends well. Although I was just 2 when we won the world cup in 1983, I am immensely happy that now after many many years, a colored photo of Dhoni and team will replace the black and white memory of Kapil dev and men for any mention or promo of World cup. The montage and the memories are fresh and definitely delightfully colorful! Dhoni, bade cup mein chai ka mazaa hi kuchh aur hai..!
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