Sunday, April 3, 2011

Championships are not won overnight


I write when I feel strongly, and the feeling of being the world champion has consummated me. Well, where do I start? I would like to take a slightly different take on this win, something which I could not already find in whatever articles I read after the win...

It feels different to be a world champion. Last night, a team of 15 did not lift the world cup. A 1.2 billion did. At our homes, at bars, at streets. Finally, we were able to see what was the big deal about 1983. Finally, we were able to overcome the agony of 2003 and the despair of 2007. After so many years, one game made us laugh, cry, shout, and jump at the same time. One game that united us. And undoubtedly, gave so many Indians the happiest moments of their lives. Speaking on behalf of some die hard cricket fans and patriots, the comfort in dying peacefully even if 2012 is a reality...because we have experienced the best!
But if I step back and think, what did we, the 1.2 billion do to earn this feeling? Yes, we chose a team, we gave them our hopes, our trust, that THEY would do it for us! But that's where it all ends. It is a glory to cherish for those 15 men and the people in background, as they have also borne the brunt of our criticizm, our anger, and our hatred. When it comes to cricket, Indians are volatile, impulsive, and emotional. We WANT to lose touch with the reality that exists, that we are not the only one hoping to win the cup, that the 15 men we have sent to fight our battle are also mortals and are allowed to commit mistakes. They haven't asked us to treat them like superheroes, and we are only burdening them. If that were not enough, we target them through all possible channels, be it social media, the streets, or sometimes, even their homes.

What gives me the right to point this out, when supposedly I am also a part of this community? Well because at the expense of sounding 'I-knew-it-all', I can say I had a stronger faith in the team than what the average Indian had. Not a faith that they would win the cup 100%, only a hope for that one, but a faith that they will give their best, and their best is really good, and intimidating, for the opposition. Be it the uncomfortable wins against the minnows, the tie against England, or the loss against SA, I had never taken it as a sign of Indian team's weakness or an indication of them not deserving enough to win. I would never criticize a sportsperson for the number of brands he is endorsing.  Because I am a patient person, and I believe. What is shaken by chance occurences is not belief in my dictionary. Admittedly, I am not flawless either! I did have my doubts around Ashish Nehra after the inital matches. Glad to acknowledge, he proved me wrong against Pak! And what a way to do that. Salutes!

I would not switch off the cricket match once we have lost Sehwag and Sachin. I did that in Natwest, I did that on another occasion, but not this time. I have grown, and understood my team. I know inside out that this is what a strong team looks like, and it is not a two man army. My huge respect to the formidable forces in the team, but I now know that each one of you in the team there is a match winner. You have the talent, the spirit, and the commitment. And when you join forces, boy, the opposition can only think about packing their bags early. What has a normal Indian done or achieved to have the right to challenge this? Nothing, yet he would act as the expert of the game, and pass judgments without any rationale. This is something where we have gone terribly wrong, and there is a need to make amends.

For starters, I would like to take this moment to thank my team, who have made me proud and the happiest person on earth. I thank them for giving me the opportunity to walk with a high head in a foreign land when people salute me for being Indian. I would like to thank you for once again reminding me of the core patriot in me, just the way the national anthem does everytime its played in Mumbai theatres. But at the same time, I want to apologize to you, on behalf of the entire country, for everything that we have made you go through, when you were not having the best of days. Not bad days, but not Rajnikant like days. And I want you to know that I would have been as proud of you had we lost as I am now. Disappointed, yes, but still proud for the journey. We have asked you for explanations all the time, and it is well deservedly your time to ask us. And frankly, we would have no answer to your questions. All the people who had lost faith in you will only take a moment to realize how wrong they were, and come back to feeling proud on the awesomeness of the feeling you have given us! Once again, thank you! And hugs! :D

Cannot even think about ending this note without sending out some personal postcards:

Team India: Respect for your game. And for your spirit. We saw what champions are made of! Men of strength, men of honor, men of character.You did it for 1.2 billion, and one man in particular. Don't know if you realized it or not, but you just gave that man enormous peace to sleep with, for the rest of his career and beyond. You made sure there was not a single black mark on his career profile, and the master does retire as a masterpiece!

Gary: You picked us up when we were in shambles. And look where you brought us! Goes without saying what you have done is unforgettable, and we wish you could continue as our coach.

Physio: Thanks for keeping the boys fit, especially Zak.

Sree and Piyush: Would have loved to see you guys play more matches, and take your share of intimidating the opposition.

Ashish: I am sorry for losing hope in you. Thanks for your brilliant display against Pakistan, when it mattered the most.

Munaf: In the absence of spearheading fast bowlers, it was a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, and glad you did your job.

Ashwin: You have a bright future waiting ahead of you. You have lived up to the confidence shown in you so well. And that is the only think you have to continue doing!

Yusuf: Your presence is enough to keep the opposition intimidated. Hope it continues to be that way.

Viru: Thanks for the blazing starts. No total seems unachievable if you are around. Just keep doing whatever you are doing!

Gauti: You are the wall, Gauti! You rose to the occasion, and told us why you bat at No. 3 for India, why you got the highest price in IPL auctions. Looking forward to a lot many hundreds and doubles from you.

Raina: Consistent flamboyance! You have shown that we can always depend on you. People who lost their faith in you during SA must have got their answers. What spirit and what commitment. One of our own Jonty Rhodes. Hats off to you! And yes, keep hitting those sweet midwicket sixes- what a sight to watch!

Bhajji: Salute you for the true patriot that you are. We all know what playing for Team India means for you, your tears said it once again last night. You have displayed it time and again why you mean to us what you do, and I am sure its never gonna change.

Virat: Mr. consistent. Have you ever failed us?? You won't even think about it, would you? You are the reason IPL will never die in India, because it was able to unearth the talent that you are. With that cool head on your shoulder, no situation is a pressure situation. But even your brilliance took a backseat when you won our hearts with your comment about Sachin last night, "He has carried India on his shoulders for 21 years, its time we carried him on ours.' No answers to that one.

Zak: Without you it was not possible. You were the knight in our army, and your 10 overs were like the most precious possession we had! Thank you for staying fit, and bringing us here! Keep playing and don't get injured, please please!!

Yuvi: The lion in the Indian team. Boy, you have made it large. You are a testimony of how one rises from ashes, and rises BIG, to the stars. After that year that passed, after being dropped, after being in the middle of controversies, the way you have come back is exemplary. And straight to 'Man of the Tournament' in world cup! It is huge Yuvi, and know that you will always be known as the man who got us 2011. Holding the ship in the middle overs, making up for poor bowling on other ends, and flying on the field- you gave it every drop of blood and sweat you had! I read somewhere you said after SA defeat that you will bring us the world cup. You have done it Yuvi, and that can never be erased. And when the lion cried yesterday, we very well knew what it felt like. People will be fools to ever challenge your abilities again, know that!

Sach: God, you deserved this! Thank you for being there with us, throughout all these years. You have seen the highs and the lows of the team, you have seen people come and go, but you have stayed. With you has stayed the greatness about the team. You have defied biology with your game which is getting even better with your age. One match after the another goes, but it is your photogenic moments that we wait to witness. Because form is temporary, only class is permanent. Hope to see you playing another world cup, and another...Indian cricket is unimaginable without you now. And yes, do get that No. 100 soon. We are waiting!

Dhoni: Captain. That is the word. Had it been possible with anyone else at the helm? I do not think so. Had to be you! You have made international stars out of youngsters with your belief, and I can very easily credit Raina, Ashwin, and Virat to your account. You saved the players from the load of expectations and took it on your own shoulders, enabling them to give their best without feeling the pressure. You took all those wild decisions which perplex the common mind, and clicked, and told us why instinct is not extinct. You have been one of the best wicketkeepers of the tournament, and one of the best India has ever had. You have modified your own game for the team's balance, and its a pity people do not understand that and question your abilities. I was jubilant yesterday, and remembering about all those people with whom I have argued for you. But that's about your leadership and performance. The best one is yet to come. Most of all MS, you have shown what it is like to be modest, and composed. You win the world cup for India, not only as a captain but as a batsman, yet you choose to stay in the background, without feeling the need to attract any limelight which was deservedly yours. Because you wanted someone else to have that moment yesterday. As an individual, you have earned tonnes of respect in millions of eyes yesterday, and we can only be proud to have you as our captain!

And last but not the least,

Dada: This heritage is built on the foundation that you laid. We are the tigers that we are becuase you made us that way. We have the stars that we have because you identified them and nurtured them. It was terrible we could not win in 2003, but we have not let your effort go waste. This one's for you, Dada!

For Yuvi, Raina, and Dhoni: "Main na kehta tha, mere Karan-Arjun ayenge" :P

8 comments:

  1. I had thought of writing a blog after the win! But the way you wrote it makes me feel so proud..and i now just want this one to spread and reach the Indian Team somehow.. This one deserves to be read by them.. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just like most of the things you do, you write from your heart...dil se likhte ho...really really liked it... \m/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow!!! What a post! Would make the heart of every true Indian cricket fan skip a beat... Kudos Nik!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Got goosebumps while reading this.Thanks for posting. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks a lot guys! Especially for reading till the end...it was a long one :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow.. It was awesome.. especially the personal notes for all the players and Dada.. :))

    ReplyDelete