World Twenty20 Champions

An early exit from the World Cup 2007 cannot be less motivational for a team to prove grounds at an international level. That’s exactly what India did on 24^th Sep, 2007 to beat Pakistan and become the world champions of Twenty20 cricket. From the days of agony to the days of rejoice, the journey has been a tough one for the game of Indian cricket, bearing the criticisms and abuses. The age factor of the trinity, the inability of playing all-round consistent cricket, the loop-holes in the fielding, the question of fair selection, choking under pressure, has been pondering in and around the media, the public and the team over the past few months. Finally, coming out victorious from the roots of nowhere has been warmly accepted and heartly appreciated.

Having done it once back in 1983, it was a time to showcase the repeat telecast; if not in the similar format, but definitely in a format much more demanding in terms of accuracy, focus and consistency. If not, this victory is seen above par from the previous, it shall not be treated anywhere lower; but definitely at the same level within its own domain and nature. Last one was big, ODI champs, but this one nothing lesser, T20 champs. It’s the sense of similar victory, with a change of format, but who cares - We are the world champions.

A day for Gambhir to cherish and remember… I cannot recollect when an Indian, played such an outstanding innings on big occasions, when normally we were called as chokers. A tribute to this boy from Delhi, who has been in and out of the team, but that sensational 75, almost half the team score, boosted up the chances of remaining in the contest. A quick firry 30 by the Mumbai lad, R Sharma, cannot be left unnoticed, a useful contribution to get the team past 150, an addition to the teams’ psychological advantage of crossing the 150 mark. A mighty six by the debutant Yousuf Pathan in the very first over, will be seen as the way to make positive starts in big games, irrespective of whoever is the opposition. All the runs summing to a total, being not very comfortable to think of for defenders, but yes, definitely a formidable one.

A perfect start to the chase for Pakistan with the support of Sreeshanth, sees India losing the hope of making it again in a final. His first over going for over 20 runs, put the team on the back foot right away. But the kind of form RP was in, it was very tough for the opposition to get going. To add to that, a blitzkrieg performance in the field by Uthappa, sees their in-form batsman back in the pavilion. The Pathan dish was still awaiting and, once he sent the opposition backbone and firework back to the dug-out; it was almost over for Pakistan. A set of triplet by him, gained him the man of the match award as well. However, as its said "All is well that ends well" and the end was not yet over. Some heart breaking contribution from Bhajji towards the end and sitters from the "mallu hot boy" kept the opposition in the contest; the only positive for India was that wickets were falling. A bold and confident Misbah converting 3 sixes of the turbanator and Sohail firing two off speedster “Shanth”kumar resulted in 13 required of the last over.

Now the drama of who’ll bowl it? Bhajji had no guts; finally it boiled down to the new face, Jogi. A wide to start with, succeeding with a dot ball, it felt like Jogi will do it again! Alas… the next delivery being a full toss, was bravely hit down the ground for a six. What an effort Misbah! 6 required from 4. Which part of the ground will the next ball go to? Has India once again done it… to steal defeat from the jaws of victory! There comes the decider, Jogi is running with heart in his mouth, this ball can make him a hero or zero. He bowls a length ball outside off stump, and Misbah gets out of his mind and tries a scoop shot behind, trying to send it over fine leg. The ball is in the air and straight comes down into the hands of the mallu. India has won. What a terrific victory! A final cannot get better than this and excellent finish to get the trophy home.

A high degree of rejoicing within the team. Everyone went mad like never before, celebrations went like there was no bigger occasion. Excellent extravaganza was set up in Mumbai for the players’ felicitation; the whole of the country came into the song of a single religion, the religion of cricket.