by Anisa Fathima - Daijiworld Media Network Mangalore
Mangalore, Sep 25: Oh man! What a game! What a tournament it has turned out to be! Every Indian around the world is rejoicing in the glory of being crowned the coveted title of Twenty20 World Champions. Every Indian is proud of the 14 guys who sweated it out in the most trying conditions, under tremendous pressure and nerve-wrecking situations for 15 days. It is a day we have long been waiting for, a day we will forever cherish.
It was the most perfect end to an event that began brilliantly, never slowed down and had everyone hooked to it match after match. The last 15 days of Twenty20 Cricket World Cup will probably go down in the history of the game as the most exhilarating of all events. The Twenty20 format has converted many a cricket critic in to a lover of the sport not just because it’s exciting, thrilling, unpredictable, but also because now, it is something we are champions at.
When the Indians left for South Africa before the event began, few of us, including me, believed that India could reach the super 8, much less win the cup altogether. The team had no experience, the seniors were missing, and there was no coach. The young guns proved every expert of the game wrong. As captain courageous M S Dhoni said to Ravi Shastri after winning the semi-final – ‘you banked on Australia, and we proved you wrong.’
That is what the resurgent Indian team was all throughout the tournament – courageous, fearless, confident, spirited and most of all, thirsty for victory. It was a team spirit we had hardly ever witnessed hitherto – full of energy, enthusiasm, rearing to bull-doze the opposition. The never-say-die attitude, the cool temperament and the cunning moves of a clever captain brought out the best out of the talented bunch.
So is it time for India to move forward and leave the old guards behind? Many would say so, but hold on, it’s not come to that yet. All we have here are worthy successors of the Sachins and the Dravids. This is Twenty20, as different from test cricket as cheese and chalk; thereby, we must be careful when we talk of heirs so soon. But one thing is sure – as far as ODI cricket is concerned the BCCI now has a problem of plenty. The bench strength is better than it ever was, and that’s good for Indian cricket.
Many a debate has taken place about the format itself. The purists of the game have sneered at it while the rest have welcomed it. Before the tournament began, I would have said that Twenty20 would do cricket more harm than good, but not so now, after witnessing such epics matches that have taken place in a matter of three hours. Right from the beginning the teams fought it out till the end, and most matches, especially those of India, were as unpredictable as the English weather!
As said before, the format has converted a lot of people in to lovers of the sport. Few like to spend an entire day on watching a match, and at the end of it if their team loses they feel it nothing but sheer waste of time. Twenty20 gets rid of that problem – three and half hours is no big deal, especially if it means such fast action. Everyone has enough time to spare for the game now.
Secondly, the outcome of the match is most of the time unpredictable, therefore giving equal opportunity to both teams to make a come back in to the game. A couple of wickets or a good over is all that it takes to turn the match on its head.
Many say it’s a batsman’s game, but I beg to disagree. It is an out-and-out bowler’s game. Batsmen do not have time to set in, no time to adjust to a bowler, no time to plan. It’s almost a crime to let any bowler bowl a maiden over. On the other hand, a bowler, even if he’s hit for sixes and fours always has the time and the opportunity to make a come back. Line and length matter as much as they do in ODIs, so quality doesn’t suffer.
And neither is it just a pinch-hitter’s game. Technique may not be as important as in test cricket to survive in this format, but it is nevertheless needed to play the shots and keep the scoreboard ticking. Take for example Yuvraj’s superb sixes in an over – all the sixes were proper cricketing shots. The highest runs came from Mathew Hayden, who has a sound technique himself.
The pitch and weather don’t make a big difference, giving both sides a fair chance to play under similar conditions. It is test of one’s abilities to hold on to one’s nerves right till the end. Champions are those who can snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat, and that is just what the Indians proved.
The fitness of the players too will be better as they need not exert for eight hours a day. Lesser injuries and more time to relax will make players not only enjoy the game but also give them more shell life.
Of course there are a few disadvantages too. It will commercialize cricket further and will take away the tag of ‘gentleman’s game.’ Aggressive cricket will be the order of the day and it might also slowly antiquate the ODI format.
Twenty20 cricket is here to stay. It may not be 'real' cricket, it may not be cricket as we know it, but it surely is cricket that a majority of the people love, or will grow to love as the years progress.'
Entertaining, lively, full of suspense, thrills and excitement, the game will go a long way in spreading the game.
For now, let us bask in the glory of the World Champions. Three cheers to the Indian team!! Hip, Hip Hurray!
Also see: