Cricket has been such an integral part of my life for over fifteen years now. I have watched and cheered my team, I shouted in frustration at the spineless cricket that we sometimes played, I cried with the pain of defeat, I soared on the wings of victory, but, always was with my team. So, diplomacy aside, I bleed blue and I want my team to win, each and every time, however stacked are the odds against us :).
The first test match between India and Australia was highly emotional for any cricket lover because of the days leading upto this match. Philip Hughes was a stranger to me, yet not a stranger. He was a cricketer of promise and his abrupt death stunned the whole cricketing community. I was no exception to it. Watching the first hour of the match was exceptionally hard for me, especially that of Warner bat. And when Clarke walked in, I had tears in my eyes, understanding the magnanimity of the task ahead of him. But, as sport often does, it heals the wounds as you play along. It balms the rough edges of the pain and embraces you to it, in the only way a sportsman knows how. Watching the bravery of the Australians, rising above the shock of a ceased young life, I applauded them with all my heart.
And then, match moved on, and so, in the midst of all the generosity, I started routing for my team. I was frustrated with the young bowling attack, to say it tamely. I was annoyed with the spiritless fielding. I was screaming in my mind, saying, cricket community needs a fight. It needs to heal. It needs spine of steel, not mindless cricket. I have not expected our team to bowl them out, not with that bowling and not on that track and certainly not the Aussie team that was playing for something more than just cricket, at least on that day. And I wanted our team to stand there in the middle and give it all. And then it happened. The moment I have been waiting for. We have always been a batsmen team, despite the likes of Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath. Our batsmen turned up for the match, with their limited experience, but with valiant hearts, lead by the warrior himself. Kohli, for all his audacious display, is a man of strength and determination, with an unwavering focus and self belief. He is the symbol of modern India, fearless and courageous.
Watching India fight it out in the middle on the last day, though it was a four day wicket, with the huge target looming in the horizon with inexperienced batting line up and Lyon spinning the ball like the devil himself, I knew it was a long call for victory. I woke up with a prayer that we battle it out, win or lose, it still is alright.
India seem to bring their best when against Australia in recent times, probably because Australians would just steamroll over anything that cannot stand to its fearless cricket. And the current team witnessed the retired legends give their all, to win two of the most memorable victories against them, one in Eden and other in Adelaide. Perhaps there was a lesson learnt by watching them, to fight it out, to absorb the pressure, to play with patience and enjoy the beauty of a battle unfold. Virat Kohli sure did, dancing like a lion, with Vijay a step behind, just a step. While watching them play, I could not but hope that we may win the match. And then, we dwindled. Murali Vijay for all his bravery fell for that tickle of nervousness that even God himself might experience on 99. But what broke my heart was the valiant Virat wicket. He stood hunched on his bat for a long time, his posture speaking everything that was unsaid. I don't want to go, it said. I want to win it for my team and country, it said. And my heart, just fumbled for what seemed like an eternity. I felt it would break at his despair. As I stood, to give him an ovation for his batting that surpassed many expectations, I could not but feel proud of such counterattack. Virat was in a zone, battling it out and it was such a sad, sad dismissal. Virat and Vijay sure made batting look easy. Though what followed was a collapse, with Rahane's unfortunate wicket, I will remember this match, not just for its emotional drama, but for one of the best knocks I witnessed by the most zealous Indian cricketer in recent times. I will remember it for choosing to chase a mammoth target, without even thinking of a draw, which might have been inconceivable in not so distant past. It was exhilarating to witness a match so beautifully poised at lunch on the final day.
Thank you Virat, for leading the fight from the front. I know this will hurt, but victories are not just in the matches won, but in the lead up to that final moment of the result. My heart bleeds blue and I am proud of the chase, down to the last session of the final day. Thank you ICT, I love you! Good luck for the second test!! :)
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