Cheers for Team India











It's 20 years overdue. Yeah, 20 years.


23 March 2003

I was a young Captain in the Indian Army, posted in Rajasthan. Just a couple of months back, we had returned back after a prolonged 1 year+ deployment on the borders in Operation Parakram. It was a very difficult one year, perched in whatever could be called a living space amid harsh conditions, between the Border fence and Anupgarh Branch of the Indira Gandhi Canal.... and any avenue of enjoyment and recreation was welcome.


World Cup Cricket in South Africa had come at the right time to provide that succour.


We had a good, young and energetic cricket team, led by a Maverick Ganguly. Sachin was in top form. Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra were doing really well. Rahul Dravid provided good balance as a Wicket Keeper. We won against everyone in the league stage except Australia. 


And then we met them again in the Finals


But India were playing up against the best Australian team ever, which had the likes of Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.


India were never in the match right from the beginning as Zaheer Khan gave 20 runs in the first over. And we were never in the match after that. Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn scored at more than a run a ball (Remember, those were not the T-20 days)...


We, the Bachelors of our Regiment, had made elaborate plans to watch the Finals. A big screen was set up in the lawns of our Officers' Mess. Arrangements were in place for some good drinks and snacks followed by a lavish dinner once we lifted the trophy. The Bachelors had invited the married officers for the show on offer. So basically entire Regiment was gathered together for a sumptuous evening to watch Ganguly lift the trophy and have a picnic atmosphere in the process. The bindaas maahaul was supposed to go late in the night.


Ricky Ponting had other ideas. 


Ponting carted our bowlers all around Johannesburg. He remained unbeaten at 140 runs (121 balls), while Martyn scored 88 runs (84 balls) as Australia piled up 359 runs for two in 50 overs, the highest total in a World Cup final. Our Officers' Mess Lawns had a gloomy ambience. So we focussed on some extra large drinks pretty early in the evening to make up for the lost pleasures.


350+ was in God's Own Territory in those days. 


But so what, we had the God of Cricket in our batting line-up. And so optimism was in the air.


Glen McGrath had other ideas. 


India were off to a poor start when Tendulkar fell for four runs to McGrath. Thereafter, it was a one way traffic. Australia bowled out India for 234 runs in 39.2 overs to lift their record Third World Cup title. 


And that Aussie team went on to win a Fourth one four years later.... and everything else in between.


Though we beat the Aussies in a Quarter Final knockout match in 2011 under that Midas Man MSD, but for me, it never made up for the Finals loss of 2003. 


That evening in 2003 didn't just spoil our evening, it spoilt our emotions. It spoilt our dreams. That Aussie team was used to winning, so why could they just not let us win this one.


On 19 November 2023 (Sunday), it is India vs Australia. It is a World Cup Final. A win in Ahmedabad will make up for 23 March 2003. 


We were young then, in mind and body. Though now touching 50 years of age, we are still young in mind. Time for redemption, anyone !!!

We have won 10 on the trot . Optimism is in the air.


Its 20 years overdue. Cheers for Team India.


And if we do not win it, so be it. The boys have played well.


************

Images Courtesy World Wide Web 



Comments

  1. HemantNovember 18, 2023 at 10:49 PM

    Well put, and comes just at the right time. Wanted to finish your article before the match began today. It's a good recounting of some painful facts, and it also brings out the pleasant sea change, which has happened in the world of cricket over the last couple of decades.

    The redemption for a final lost is a final won, not a quarter final. And now the shoe is on the other foot. India is now as dominant as Australia were then. I still believe if India did not commit the moronic mistake of bowling first after winning ğthe toss, We would probably have won.

    Even today, Australia's only chance of winning is to bat first and a player or two to play absolutely a blinder of an innings. I'm sticking my neck out. Let's see whether the next 10 hours validate me.

    Till 2007, no home team had ever won the World Cup. after 2007, no home team has ever lost the world cup. We seem to be on the right side of history.

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