India demonstrated it's Top, Middle and Bottom at the World Cup Finals against Sri Lanka. There was some confusion at the toss and it had to be redone. There was some speculation that the Sri Lankan captain recanted his choice. In any case, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat. India's bowlers (the Bottom of the order) placed a strangle hold over the Sri Lankan batting, choked their run rate during the first twenty overs and captured two crucial wickets. Sri Lanka's constipated batting during this period was a crucial part that paid rich dividends later despite the diarrhea of runs during the final overs. Zaheer, Munaf and Harbajan bowled well. Sreesanth was fodder thrown in resulting in a run frenzy during his spells. For all it's worth, India should have just thrown him into the Arabian Sea and let him swim back to Kerala. But for the 60 odd runs Sri Lanka scored in the last five Batting Power Play overs, they would have been rolled over by the Indian batting Juggernaut and we would have been left with flattened Sri Lankan Chappatis. The match would have ended early, with no drama whatsoever. A score of 250 would have been a cake walk. A Score of 300 would have been a challenge. 274 was just right for the good match it turned out to be. So let it not be forgotten that the initial spell by the Indian bowlers played a key role in setting the stage for a lower total and the later spell set the stage for an interesting match.That has to be appreciated. Sreesanth added grist to the mix besides being a warm body present to make up the eleven. There was talk of why not Arvind and someone even suggested Pathan. In the end it wouldn't have made a difference. Sreesanth and Piyush Chawla were place holders and get to be winners just by being there. Lucky dudes!
The Sri Lankan's walked in chest puffed and confident, having massacred the Indian bowling during the last ten overs. We've got bowling was their attitude. However, all India needed to do was keep the run rate around or at 5 for most of the innings and then finish off by making 275 for a victory.
Sehwag getting out on the second ball he faced was a BIG wicket. Sehwag was rather arrogant asking for a review without batting an eye lid. This was the second time he has done this. On another occasion, his celebrated colleague, Sachin Tendulkar asked his then partner Virat Kohli, at the other end whether his being given out LBW was questionable. Virat must have confirmed the umpire's decision and Sachin accepted the verdict without requesting a review. At the very least Sehwag could have solicited Sachin's opinion. India was expecting an explosive start from Viru, like the one that set the stage for the win over Pakistan. Nevertheless, Viru's loss would only meant India would have to work harder.
Then Sachin fell at 31. Oh my gosh! He has been caught behind the wickets or in the slips so many times, because he went fishing. Should have waited for the next day. Would have been very relaxing. Visions of India's batting trend of lemmings jumping off a cliff one after another? Are we goners? Train wreck waiting to happen? Another fashion parade of men in blue walking in and walking out? We've seen this before one too many times? Is there life after Sachin? The Sri Lankans' chest puffed out even more? India's hopes took a hit with Sachin's wicket falling. India will have to pull a rabbit out of their helmets.
Somebody Tweeted....RAJINIKANTH IS THERE! HOW CAN WE LOSE? Oh yes, he helped with his eyes he neutralized Murali's spinnas and Malinga's Slingas. Score some for Rajinikanth, my namesake.
Sehwag getting out on the second ball he faced was a BIG wicket. Sehwag was rather arrogant asking for a review without batting an eye lid. This was the second time he has done this. On another occasion, his celebrated colleague, Sachin Tendulkar asked his then partner Virat Kohli, at the other end whether his being given out LBW was questionable. Virat must have confirmed the umpire's decision and Sachin accepted the verdict without requesting a review. At the very least Sehwag could have solicited Sachin's opinion. India was expecting an explosive start from Viru, like the one that set the stage for the win over Pakistan. Nevertheless, Viru's loss would only meant India would have to work harder.
Then Sachin fell at 31. Oh my gosh! He has been caught behind the wickets or in the slips so many times, because he went fishing. Should have waited for the next day. Would have been very relaxing. Visions of India's batting trend of lemmings jumping off a cliff one after another? Are we goners? Train wreck waiting to happen? Another fashion parade of men in blue walking in and walking out? We've seen this before one too many times? Is there life after Sachin? The Sri Lankans' chest puffed out even more? India's hopes took a hit with Sachin's wicket falling. India will have to pull a rabbit out of their helmets.
Somebody Tweeted....RAJINIKANTH IS THERE! HOW CAN WE LOSE? Oh yes, he helped with his eyes he neutralized Murali's spinnas and Malinga's Slingas. Score some for Rajinikanth, my namesake.
With Gambhir and Kohli batting well, hopes began to rise ...momentarily. When Kohli was caught brilliantly, another gasp. Dhoni walks in. Why Dhoni and not Yuvraj? Dhoni hasn't had a good tournament batting wise, but he has performed well under pressure. To keep the left right combination going, the commentators speculate, to unsettle the bowlers. Good move! Dhoni said it best, during his post victory interview, something like, pressure was mounting and often times he has come in when pressure was over the top. This time he felt he could do something about it. It was his moment. With Dhoni and Gambhir cruising, India's hopes rose again. The Sri Lankans shoulders sag, the puff in their chest vanished. Poor Gambhir, there must be a bee in his bonnet. Dhoni counseled him a number of times to take it easy. His run rate, though rather a tad low, was not a problem. He could take his time to score his century for himself and notch one up for the country. Unfortunately, that was not to be, because of the bee?
By then the crisis stage was over. India was cruising. However, India needed about just as many runs as balls to win. Despite the win within grasp, victory is not assured until it is done, signed and sealed. Tension mounted during the power play when the Gollywog Malinga, gave away just two runs(?) in the first Batting Power Play over. Pressure eased the next over with a four from Dhoni. And then spirits soared when another four followed in the next over and what a finish with a flourish it was, with a six by Dhoni! A well deserved, "Man of the Match".
By then the crisis stage was over. India was cruising. However, India needed about just as many runs as balls to win. Despite the win within grasp, victory is not assured until it is done, signed and sealed. Tension mounted during the power play when the Gollywog Malinga, gave away just two runs(?) in the first Batting Power Play over. Pressure eased the next over with a four from Dhoni. And then spirits soared when another four followed in the next over and what a finish with a flourish it was, with a six by Dhoni! A well deserved, "Man of the Match".
At the end of it all it was a Match that was! क्या मैच था|
P.S. Got this from a Facebook post: DEAR RAJ THACKRAY, A CHANDIGARH LAD, A JHARKHAND CAPT & A DELHI BOY WON D WORLD CUP FOR US & DEDICATED IT TO A MARATHI LEGEND. UR REGIONAL HATRED HAS FAILED. JAI HO. ROCK ON INDIA ;-)
And that goes for Bal Thakur (That was his original last name, shouldn't he be proud of his Marathi roots) as well.
P.P.S. Good thing I was not there. Two Rajinikanth's and two Shastri's in the same vicinity at the same time would have been more than the Wankede crowd could have handled. The crowd would have gone wild and the World Cup would have to be rescheduled.
P.S. Got this from a Facebook post: DEAR RAJ THACKRAY, A CHANDIGARH LAD, A JHARKHAND CAPT & A DELHI BOY WON D WORLD CUP FOR US & DEDICATED IT TO A MARATHI LEGEND. UR REGIONAL HATRED HAS FAILED. JAI HO. ROCK ON INDIA ;-)
And that goes for Bal Thakur (That was his original last name, shouldn't he be proud of his Marathi roots) as well.
P.P.S. Good thing I was not there. Two Rajinikanth's and two Shastri's in the same vicinity at the same time would have been more than the Wankede crowd could have handled. The crowd would have gone wild and the World Cup would have to be rescheduled.
Now for a different perspective:
Country Population
Australia 22 Million
Bangladesh 150 Million
England 51 Million
India 1.2 Billion
New Zealand 4.5 Million
Pakistan 176 Million
South Africa 50 Million
Sri Lanka 20.5 Million
West Indies 4 Million
India has twice the population of the above top contenders put together. Granted about 60% or more of the males are not fortunate enough to have either the resources or physique to qualify for the team. However, with this kind of "demographic dividend", we should be nothing short of dominating the game rather than having to squeeze through at times. Let this be the goal for the next World Cup tournament to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
P.P.P.S. A Rs. 1 crore ~ $225K award, did that have to be announced at the game? Sure the reward is well deserved. It could have been announced at a felicitation ceremony. Despite our progress we lack a sense of decorum.
At the IPL we call it auction instead of Draft. We say players are bought and sold instead of drafted or traded. Some of the dances in Bollywood movies are so sexually suggestive and the women dressed so scantily dressed, yet there is outrage over the cheer leaders at IPL.
P.P.P.S. A Rs. 1 crore ~ $225K award, did that have to be announced at the game? Sure the reward is well deserved. It could have been announced at a felicitation ceremony. Despite our progress we lack a sense of decorum.
At the IPL we call it auction instead of Draft. We say players are bought and sold instead of drafted or traded. Some of the dances in Bollywood movies are so sexually suggestive and the women dressed so scantily dressed, yet there is outrage over the cheer leaders at IPL.
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