India’s victory against Pakistan in semi-final of Cricket World Cup 2011 shall be remembered for a long time. This ‘mother of all the matches’ kept millions across the globe tense and anxious. The result was quite predictable but cricket is game of glorious uncertainties.Right from the beginning, the Indian fans were convinced that Pakistan had little chance of beating India. Both records and attitude of Indian Team signaled India’s victory. The 29 run victory came to confirm the signals of optimism. It had to be 5-0 and the victory made it a reality.
There was a dubious attempt to make the match a political drama. This was sabotaged as India has reached in the final dominated the post-match celebrations. The talk of cricket diplomacy hit the pre-match discussions. This is a sinister affair to make sport a mean to serve political ends. Why should sport be a medium to better the tense relationship? What’s the need to blend cricket with politics? The premier tournaments should maintain a safe distance from such political dramas. The game should be treated like a game and not a round table conference.
Let’s talk about role of Tendulkar as well. Many dull headed critics always accuse him of never playing a match winning innings even as the record books suggest otherwise. In the very first clash between India and Pakistan in 1992 World Cup, played in Australia, Sachin was awarded Man-of-the-match. Sachin again made India attain victory over Pakistan in 2003 World Cup clash in South Africa by his classic innings of 98 runs. Needless to state, he was once again the Man-of-the-match.
Now at Mohali in 2011, we once again witnessed how he made Pakistan away from the door of victory. True, the lady luck made him survive four dismissal chances but can we deny the fact that his runs shaped the victory of India ? I am happy that all biased analysts will now think twice before stupidly suggesting that Tendulkar’s big innings are sometimes bad omens and counter-productive. Or, for that matter, just better his individual records! Oh yes, sounding deja vu, he became Man-of-the-match at Mohali as well!
Lastly, the Indian team has displayed a rare spirit. It’s now playing more like an organized group. It’s indicative of the fact that the Indians have gained the ability to perform better in tougher conditions. It also shows that team is learning the art to play as group and not as one man show. It’s time to deliver this collective spirit once again to make World Cup ours after we kissed it in 1983. Sri Lanka is a very good team. Let’s not blue waves commit the fatal blunder of ignoring the mighty roar of Sri Lankan lions. It’s time to tame the lions! It’s time to kiss the World Cup again!
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