India Rising

Chak de India… I don’t know what it means, but I sure know how it feels. India beat Australia in the T20 world cup semi final, and what a game it was. After the world cup disappointment, I swore ofo cricket, especially India, but today put me back into the orbit of a normal indian cricket fan. I am deliriously happy and excited.

The attitude that the Indians showed on the field was amazing and inspiring. Here was a bunch of boys playing shoulder-to-shoulder with the mighty Aussies, and they stood up and made themselves count, and the best part was they played a game the Aussies would have been proud of. Though the Aussies showed why they were world champions by not buckling under the enormous pressure, and giving themselves a chance till the 14th over, the last 6 overs showed, that they can be mowed down as well. They can cave in as well. Even though, it was for a brief period, welcome to “victimland” guys.

4 guys stood out for me today… Yuvi, Sreesanth, Joginder and Dhoni. Dhoni showed superb leadership skills, and for a guy so young, it is refreshing. His changes, backing his team mate’s intuition and finally his reasoning for giving Joginder the last over. Hats off dude. I am really looking forward to your captaincy.

Now to the final – India Vs Pakistan in a world cup final. This is something my generation has been wishing, dreaming and looking forward to. Let’s hope it is another cracker of a match.

Sehwag, Gambir, Uthappa, Yuvi, Dhoni, Sharma, Pathan, Bajji, Joginder, Sreesanth & RP Singh… You guys were great today. Even if you had lost today, nobody dare raise a finger or voice. We are proud of the cricket you put up on display, and our pride swells when we think of the way you won against the mighty aussies.

Chak de India. One win at a time, one battle at a time, one street at a time…