It’s been eight long years since India lifted the World Cup and the emotions never seem to drain. Every single time I watch the match or the final delivery, I end up in tears with the line ‘Dhoni finishes off in style’ ringing inside my ear. It was, it is beyond what you can put it in words.
Of course, I’m not alone here. As Srinikethan S says-
April 2nd 2011
I was in my UG 3rd Year. I think some of you remember in 2003 there was a giant screen set up in Marina beach where the match was screened live. As a 12-year-old, I watched Ashish Nehra thumping England with his six-wicket and then I watched the final amidst the sea of the crowd in Marina in the summer heat. When Australia scored 359 everybody realized the game got over and half the crowd vanished in total disappointment and given up already. The other half of the crowd was there for one man – Sachin and the moment he got out 90% of the crowd left the place and I was one among the few who believed that some miracle might happen and seeing India lose that day coming so close to getting the world cup had a big impact on me.
Then came 2007, A loss to Bangladesh and then getting knocked out in the first round was once again a big disappointment that I just could not accept that we lost to Bangladesh. I was fuming inside. Back then My Dravid, Sachin and Sourav were my heroes and India losing, seeing my heroes go down was a heartbreaking moment.
and then came 2011
I became a Dhoni fan right from 2007 T20 stint and the CB series that followed and everything that happened after that made me believe that this time we will win and one strong aspect that made believe that is its happening at home. The conditions, the support are in favour of us and with the squad like this, I was sure that we are going to make it this time.
The tournament started in a typical Sehwag style and then the Sachin’s Hundred against SA and then the Knock against England especially taking on Swann, Zak’s brilliant series with the ball along with Nehra and Yuvi’s century at the Chepauk which I watched live from the stadium.
Everything was perfect for us with just one loss against SA and a tied game against ENG.More than the final I was more into the quarterfinal game against the champions Australia. I was more pumped up because I wanted revenge for the 2003 Worldcup very badly. It was 8 years of Fuming that was inside and that victory against the Aussies made my belief 200% that India will lift the cup. Thanks to Raina and of course Yuvi.
Semifinals against Pakistan. Being an Indian Fan, Just cannot take a loss at any stage in the world cup against Pakistan. Heart rate was high and Sehwag started in his own style and calmed my nerves and I always believe once you put Pakistan under pressure, they will lose the game themselves and you don’t have to do much. Always Keep them in that zone and India did that and Marched into the final to face Srilanka.
The drama started from the toss, I felt batting first was a good option in a final like that under so much pressure and of course 2003 decision from Sourav gave that fear as well. But all the toss drama happened and eventually, srilanka batted first. Zaheer was brilliant that day with the ball and it just erased the bad memory of 2003 final where he gave us a bad start. so essentially I was hoping whatever happened wrong in 2003 shouldn’t happen again.
Jayawardene came up with the brilliant hundred and that’s why they are legends of the game. He stepped up when it needed the most and in the grandest stage of them all. A Worldcup final.
Perera finished things off for them with a good last over. I was at home watching with My mom, dad and brother. My mom is emotional so she can’t take if the opponent scores a boundary, six or build a partnership. she wants India to win always and opponents should never be in the game. I and My dad are calmer and understanding what’s happening in the game and stuff. so it’s always a place of arguments and tension where My mom keeps scolding and me and my dad watching calmly and one main thing my dad believes a lot in superstition.
The batting started. Sehwag went first over. I was shocked for a moment. Gambhir came. My dad already told me it’s not going to be Sachin’s day, I don’t know how or why but he told its not going to be Sachin who will win it today and the same happened. When Sachin got out the whole country went into silent mode. No one knows what to react and I was just having a sad face and watching the tv. Kohli came in, we were just expecting a partnership and I was telling my dad that I believe in Dhoni and his captaincy no matter what. Kohli and Gambhir slowly brought back the game. Kohli’s wicket and Dilshan’s celebration just pumped me up and I was waiting for Yuvi the man of the tournament so far to come and play another knock and finish it. But came Dhoni.
My dad immediately said, Good move considering its Muralidharan and I also realized it may be its a good move but I was also feeling that Dhoni hasn’t had a great run so far in the WC and hoped he will get few in the middle and build another partnership. He did the same. The game got closer and closer and every time Gambhir played a shot, My dad never wanted me to move away from the seat. he was so particular and only in the over break we were allowed to move.
Gambhir played one of the best knocks by a batsman in a WC final under pressure and chasing a target. He deserved century and felt so bad that he couldn’t get one.
When Gambhir was taking all the attention from one end MSD was going about his job kept rotating strike and getting the needed boundaries and was getting to his best. When Gambhir got out, Yuvi came and what happened after that was pure entertainment. knowing MS and his calmness I just knew we are winning it and I have already started messaging people that India is winning it.
What happened after that is History. A Moment to Cherish for life.
“Dhoni finishes off in style…” commentary in the background and Mine and My dad’s eyes were filled with so many Happy tears screaming on top of the world. We already had the Indian Flag and chocolates ready. Went out to the streets Kept waving in the flag high and distributed chocolates to everyone passing by and was feeling the best in the world.
Seeing 2003 and 2007 WC performances and from being a Kid I have been waiting to see this moment. A Revenge against Australia and also to prove the world that India is the best team. What a day that was ? Words aren’t enough to actually express the whole feeling.
My Dad keeps telling me How Kapil dev who us his hero, Ran and took that Catch of Richards which is still been spoken about and now I have witnessed a moment where my hero MSD stands and delivers a knock in the final under pressure along with GG to win a world cup for the country. I have a story now to share it with my next generation and these moments will never ever die from the heart of every Indian.
This day 2011 – A Special day in my life!”
It was indeed a special day for all of us but weren’t we all nervous when the Little Master got out?
Prabhu explains-
“It’s a great chance for India to win the World Cup on home soil. More than the examination, cricket fever catches me up. We started well but Mahela Jayawardene scored a brilliant hundred. Target is achievable but it’s tough to chase in the grand finale. Billion people kept their eye ON on LITTLE MASTER. Unfortunately both the openers dismissed cheaply. I was very nervous because it’s a great day to re-write the history of Men in Blue. After Sachin dismissed, unable to watch the match because of nervousness. So, I went upstairs and praying for a win.
Neighbours asked me “What Prabhu? You are not watching the final?”
After a couple of hours, I came down. India are in good position to clinch the trophy. Though Gambhir dismissal increased the tension the Captain cool still in the crease.
After Yuvraj struck some boundaries, India was in commanding position. When Thala hit consecutive Fours of Nuwan Kulasekara, I was jumping in the sofa and shouted.
In the end, MS Dhoni finished with a six. I was overjoyed and was screaming. Yes, India lifted the World Cup after 28 Years. ?
Enjoying with the family is one thing but how was it to enjoy it with your hostel mates?
Barath Narayanan narrates-
” I was doing my final year college. I was a hostelite . As fate had it, my college life started right after the 2007 world cup. Ended with the 2011 world cup. As it was the final days of my college life, we used to see it together. All the four years from final year to first year students encouraged our team in our hostel mess. Matches were telecasted.
On this finals , it was a Saturday I very well remember it. We started to flock our college hostel mess right from the lunch time. Emotions were running high for everyone. We witnessed the magnificent innings of mahela jayawardene in the Lankan batting. There was a wide opinion of well deserved century amongst our peers.
After the Lankan innings we honestly had no idea if we could still chase it down as it was mammoth total that too in a world cup final.
Now the Indian chase began. Not the ideal start any Indian fan would want.
Some people started leaving the mess right after Sachin wicket.
But we were watching it with slim hopes as gauti accompanied by a young kid named virat Kohli marched on .
Prayers became more intense when kohli fell to dilshan.
We were expecting Carnage from yuvi .
But we were in for a shock when the magnificent mahi walked in.
There were expression like “wtf he is trying to do”? Who will finish the innings if mahi gets out.
But mahi proved all of us wrong. We had a slight fear still as murali didn’t complete his quota. But mahi and gauti kept us in the chase. We were giving hi 5 amongst us whenever there was a boundary.
Slight jitters after gauti wicket.
But mahi made sure that it was worth the tensed faces among billions of Indians.
After that winning six all the hostel boys were shouting and roaring in unison. We were carrying Indian flags all around the hostel.
I wrote a diary the whole year each night. And gave a episode for each day’s events summarizing it.
As I went to sleep that night
That day episode name was “The champs are here”
??
How about hearing from Mumbai people?
Here’s Sandhesh Rane-
For a Mumbai kid growing up in the nineties, the only regret I used to have was not able to see Sachin lift a World Cup. For someone who had given us so many beautiful memories, the World Cup proved to be the last hurdle. I remember hoping, how fitting it would be if we could win it on home soil after missing an opportunity in 2003. It would be the perfect tribute to man who carried the aspirations of an entire nation for two decades. So, when Dhoni lofted the ball in his trademark style into the skies of the Wankhede, a long-cherished dream of not only mine but a billion Indians came true. The sight of Sachin being carried around the stadium on the shoulders of his team-mates is something many of us will never forget.
Prabhat Shetty-
It was a fateful game in the Wankhede, homeground of the maestro himself. Playing in what would be his final world cup game, a win here would potentially be enough to crown Sachin Tendulkar the greatest ever to play the game. The toss, amidst some controversy went against the Indian side and Sri Lanka opted to bat first. In a superb batting display centred around the poise and elegance of century scorer Jayawardene, Sri Lanka set India a target of 275. No small task, considering the pressure of chasing in a match of such magnitude. As the run chase began, Indian hearts were subdued by the wily Lasith Malinga who claimed the wickets of both Sachin and Sehwag. Gautum Gambhir and Virat Kohli took upon themselves the task of bringing the chase back on track. As India looked like coming back, Kohli perished to a brilliant caught and bowled off Dilshan. The stage was now set for MS to showcase his chasing prowess. Partnering with Gambhir and then with Yuvraj, the Indian captain displayed calmness along with raw power, motoring India to the historic win. All Indian fans were ecstatic as Ravi Shastri screamed, “Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!”. In a night where superstars like Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan were witnessing Dhoni’s helicopter take full flight it was apt as fans chanted, “Anhoni ko honi kar de, honi ko anhoni, Ek jagah jab jama ho teenon, Rajini, Ghajini aur Dhoni.”
Well, Superstitions and beliefs played a big role too.
Thanks to Ajai Cimhan.
As usual two days before the finals, I was restless. Those two days seemed like they are going on forever.
When the Match day came, myself, my cousin brothers two of them (they came over to my place) assembled and we were all set to watch the match. My Thoughts were simple. SL should not chase. Mainly due to that strong duo in the middle order and followed by all-rounders.
To my liking, SL batted first. ?I was 60% sure it was India’s game to lose from here. My cousins have a strong belief that if I sit and watch India would lose no matter what.
True to their belief, SL gave a stiff target and again, to their belief Viru and Sachin got out early. That was the only time I really wanted India to win just because of Sachin. So, I went inside the room and decided not to watch. It was only after Gambhir’s fifty, my cousins told me to come and watch
They still believe if I had watched SL would have won. To add to this, my cousins didn’t change their sitting position till the end of the match.
I still vividly remember Kohli saying, ” he (Sachin) has been carrying the burden of Indian expectation for 25 years and it’s time that I carried him in my shoulder “Keta apo goosebumps.
When a Sachinist talk- Vishakan S
I was just entering my final year engineering. WC start panrakku munnaadiye Dhoni open statement kuduthurpapla, We will win this WC for Sachin nu. Adhukku Ponting, Unfortunately Sachin is not playing for Aus nu nakkal ah banter.
Sachin was in his late 30s So kandippaa idhaan last WC ngardhu mattum theriyum. So ellaar maariyum Sachin kaaga vaachum naama Win pannanungra veri.
Post Tennis elbow Sachin restricted himself from playing some of his favourite Shots, He saved everything and played all those shots in the 2011 WC. Avlo veri. Ovvoru match um oru oru experience. Sachin, Yuvi, Zaheer oda consistent performance aala We reached the finals.
Apr 2, 2011
Veetla yaarum illa. My family was out of town. I had to stay in my cousins place. Anga dhaan match paathaen.
Chasing a 270+ against Sri Lanka in a WC cup finals is not as simple as we do now. Master and Sehwag walks in, apdiyoru bayam Malinga poduvaan. He was familiar with the conditions since he was playing for MI vera. Bayantha maathiriye Sehwag gone. Bayam jaasthi aayidichu ipo. Kulasekara ball la Thalaivan oda straight drive paathadhum santosham aanaa ulla adhe padhattam. Edhu nadakka koodaadhu nu vendineno adhu nadanthichu Malinga removed Master too. 2003 WC kannu munnaala vanthrichu. Now I’m on the verge of crying. Sachin thalaya kuninjittu nadanthu ponadhu ipovum nyabagam irkku. Ellaar munnaalayum azha koodaadhu nu controlled myself. Suththamaa hope poachu. Virat joins Gauti now. Definitely this partnership made platform for us under immense pressure. Oralavukku both of them settled. Apdinnu nenaikrapo Dilshan Virat’a thookirvaan. Dhoni walks in. Throughout the tournament Dhoni was not in good form. Yuvi yen varlannu polambeetrunthom. Gambhir was playing like a warrior well supported by MS. Oru stage kku mela MS accelerated his gear jeichirlaam nu nambikka vanthirchu.
Century poda poraan nu nenaikrapo 97 la out. Gambhir deserved a century that night. For me He was my hero that night.
Then comes Yuvi, Both of them now started scoring quickly. Whole stadium Maa tujhe salaam nu vande maataram song paadradhu TV la kekka mudinjadhu. Unexplainable feel. Kulasekara bowling podraan and the moment comes, “Dhoni finishes off in style…” Now I’m jumping in joy. Hugged my cousin with tears. I still can’t believe. We won the Fking World Cup.
Flag vaangeetu bike la suthnum nu aasa. Since I was in my Aunt’s house I couldn’t. They didn’t let us go. Annikku night full ah thoongala. Facebook, News channel nu adha paathiye night full ah paathutrunthaen.`
Kesavan Madhumathy’s நெகிழ்வான தருணம்!
பொதுவா கிரிக்கெட் தவிர எதுவுமே அதிகம் விரும்பாத ஒரு கூட்டம் ஒண்ணு இருக்கும் அதுல ஒருத்தன் நான் 2003 உலக கோப்பை கிரிக்கெட் விளையாட்டா பாக்க ஆரம்பிச்சி ,2007 உலககோப்பை சச்சினுக்காக கண்டிப்பாக ஜெயிக்கனும் என வேண்டாத கடவுள் கிட்ட எல்லாம் வேண்டி பார்த்தா அந்த உலககோப்பை அப்ப முதல் சுற்றில் வெளிய வந்துட்டோம் பங்களாதேஷ் கிட்ட மேட்ச் தோக்கும்போது சச்சின் , டிராவிட் ,கங்குலினு நம்ம சின்ன வயசு ஆதர்ச நாயகர்கள் எல்லோருமே சோகமா உட்காந்துட்டு இருக்கிற ஒரு போட்டோ முதன்முதலா ரொம்ப மனசை உடைச்சு போட்டுச்சு அப்புறம்தான் 2011 உலககோப்பை ..!
தோனி மேல் ரொம்ப நம்பிக்கை அவர் எது பண்ணாலும் நல்லதுக்கேனு கண்மூடித்தனமான ஒரு வெறி தோனி மேல அதுவும் இல்லாம இந்தியாவில் வேற நம்ம யாருக்காக கிரிக்கெட் பாக்க ஆரம்பிச்சோம அந்த மனுசனுக்கு கிட்டத்தட்ட இறுதி உலககோப்பை என்ற சூழல் இதுலாம் மனசுல ஓடிட்டே ஒவ்வொரு மேட்சா கடந்து வந்தோம்
விராட் சதம்
*சேவாக் அதிரடி தொடக்கம்
*சச்சினின் சென்சிபல் நாக்ஸ்யுவராஜ் ஆல்ரவுண்ட் பர்மான்ஸ்
ரெய்னா தேவைப்பட்ட நேரத்துல ஆடிய ஆட்டம்
ஜாகீர்கானின் ஐ அசத்தல் பவுலிங்
கம்பீரின் உலகத்தரமான பேட்டிங்
இது எல்லாம் கடந்து இறுதிப்போட்டி வந்த உடனே ஒரு பயம் இவ்ளோ தூரம் வந்துட்டு தோக்கடிக்கப்பட்டா சச்சின் என்ற கடவுளின் உலககோப்பை கனவு நிறைவேறாமலே போய்டுமோ என்ற ஏக்கம்
ஆம் கடவுளுக்காக பக்தர்களின் வேண்டுதல் தான் இது ..!
இந்தியா பேட்டிங் ஆரம்பிச்ச அப்ப கடவுள் போட்டோ பக்கத்திலோ வைச்சிட்டு ஒவ்வொரு பந்துக்கும் வேண்டியே ஆகனும் என்ற மனநிலை அப்பதான் சேவாக் அவுட் ஆகிட மனசெல்லாம் படபடனு அடிக்க ஆரம்பிச்சிட்டது ..!
சச்சினின் ஸ்டிரைட் டிரைவ் : அந்த இன்னிங்ஸ்ல அந்த ஷாட் அவ்ளோ முக்கியமானதா தெரியாது பல பேருக்கு ஆனா சச்சினின் வெறித்தனமான ரசிகனா இருந்து பார்த்தா ஒரு ஆனந்த கண்ணீரோடு பார்த்த ஒரு மெர்சலான ஷாட் அது ..!
சச்சின் ,சேவாக் ,விராட் அவுட் ஆன உடனே அய்யோ யுவராஜ்தான் காப்பாத்தனும் இந்த போட்டியும் நினைச்சா தலைவன் தோனியின் வருகை என்னடா இந்த மனுசன் இப்படி வந்துட்டாரே அவுட் ஆகிட்டு தோத்துட்டா இதுதான் காரணம் எல்லாரும் சொல்லுவாங்களேனு ஒரு பயம் இல்ல முரளி ஓவர் தோனி நல்லா விளையாடுவார் என்ற எண்ணம் மறுபக்கம் மேட்ச் போகிட்டே இருந்தது வாங்கடே எப்படி ஒவ்வொரு பந்துக்கும் ரசிகர்கள் உற்சாகப்படுத்தினர்களோ அப்படிதான் கடைக்கோடி இந்திய ரசிகனும் அவங்க அவங்க டிவி முன்ன அவங்க அவங்க கடவுளை அவங்க அவங்க மொழிகளில் வேண்டிட்டு மேட்ச் பார்த்தோம் ..!
தோனியின் வின்னிங் ஷாட்டை விட அதை அடிச்ச அப்பறம் தோனியின் அமைதி , யுவராஜின் ஆக்ரோசமான கொண்டாட்டம் ,ஹர்பஜனின் அழுகை ,சச்சின் ஒரு குழந்தை மாதிரி ஓடி வந்து யுவராஜையும் ,தோனியையும் கட்டி பிடிப்பார் அப்ப ஒரு புன்னகை வந்துச்சு பாருங்க அதுதான் வாழ்க்கையின் நெகிழ்வான தருணம்…!
David Raj R’s அப்படி ஒரு நாள் ?
2011 இந்த நாள்…
வேல்ட்கப் பைனல்…
தெரிஞ்ச மெக்கானிக் ஷாப்ல இருக்க டீவில தான் மேட்ச் எப்பவும் பாப்போம்..
எப்பவும் மேட்ச் முடியும்போது தான் வயித்துல புளிய கரைகிற மாதிரி இருக்கும்.. ஆனா அன்னைக்கு டாஸ் போடுறதுல இருந்தே கரச்சிட்டே தான் இருந்துச்சு…
ஸ்ரீலங்கா மொதல்ல ஆடுச்சு…நாங்க மேட்ச் பாக்க ஆரம்பிக்கும்போது 3 பேர் இருந்தோம்.. ஒவ்வொருத்தரா எங்க கூட்டதுல சேர ஆரம்பிச்சாங்க..
நடுவுல ட்ரிங்க்ஸ் பிரேக்ல போய்ட்டு மூஞ்சில வரைய வாட்டர் பெயிண்ட் வாங்கிட்டு வந்தேன்.. அங்க மெக்கானிக் ஷாப் பக்கத்துல தான் ஒரு பெயின்டர் ஷாப் இருக்கும்..பெயின்டர் அண்ணா அவர்கிட்ட இருக்க ப்ரெஷ் வெச்சி எல்லாருக்கும் வரைய ஆரம்பிச்சாரு.. அந்த இடத்துல அப்போ நாங்க 50 பேர் இருந்துருப்போம்..எல்லார் மூஞ்சிலயும் வித்தியாச வித்தியாசமா இந்தியா கொடி..
பாக்கவே எங்க ஏரியாவா இதுன்னு நினைக்குற மாதிரி தான் இருந்துச்சு..
ஸ்ரீலங்கா முதல் பாதி ஆடி முடிச்சுது.. (எவ்ளோ அடிச்சாங்கன்னு எல்லாம் நியாபகம் இல்ல)
டைம் ஆச்சு மெக்கானிக் ஷாப்ப மூடனும்ன்னு மெக்கானிக் அண்ணா சொல்லிட்டாங்க..
எங்க போய்ட்டு பக்குறது தெரியாம இருக்கும்போது ஒருத்தர் டீவி தரேன் ரோட்டுல போடலாம்ன்னு சொன்னாரு.. ரெண்டாவது பாதி ஆரம்பிக்குறதுக்குள்ள டீவி ரெடி பண்ணி ஸ்பீக்கர் பாக்ஸ் ரெடி பண்ணி எப்படியோ வெச்சாச்சு…
மொத்த பேரும் கீழ உட்காந்து ஒவ்வொரு 4 ஹும் 6 ஹும் போகும்போது கத்திக்கிட்டே இருந்தோம்…சச்சின் ஷேவாக் அவுட்…எல்லாரும் அவ்ளோ தான் மேட்ச் போச்சுன்னு நெனச்சோம்..
என் பக்கத்துல ஒரு தோணி ரசிகர் உட்காந்துட்டு இருந்தாரு.. என்னால சொல்ல முடியும்.. இங்க இருக்க எவனும் தோணி ரசிகரா அவர் முன்னாடி நிக்கவே முடியாது அப்படி ஒரு ரசிகர்…தப்புநா அவரே திட்டுவாரு ஆனாலும் அப்படி ஒரு வெறியன்..
இந்த மேட்ச் தோணி கையால தான் முடியும்ன்னு தோணி உள்ள வரும்போதே தல வருதுன்னு சொன்னாரு…இன்னும் அவர் சொன்னது எனக்கு கேக்குது..
ஒவ்வொரு தடவையும் தோணி சிக்ஸ் 4 அடிக்கும்போதும் கிட்ட தட்ட அடிக்குறதுக்கு முன்னடியே இந்தா ஹெலிகாப்டர்ன்னு சொன்னாரு அவரு..
கம்பிர் ஒரு பக்கம்…ஆடிட்டு இருந்தாரு.. ஆனாலும் என் கவலை கம்பிர் கூட ஸ்டாண்ட் பண்ணி ஆட ஒருத்தன் தான்…தோணி அத செழிப்பாவே செஞ்சாப்ளே…
கடைசி 5 ஓவர் இருக்கும்போது.. டீவி போட்டதுக்கு பஞ்சாயத்து நடந்து டீவி எடுத்து வைக்க சொன்னாங்க.. அத எடுத்து வெச்சிட்டு ரோட்டுக்கு ஓடுனோம் அங்க டீவி கடைல நெறய டீவில ஓடுச்சு மேட்ச்..
வின் பண்ணதும் செம கத்து… பக்கத்துல இருந்த கடைகார அண்ணா பிஸ்கெட் பாக்கெட் ஜூஸ்லாம் ப்ரீயா குடுத்தாறு எல்லாத்தையும் தூக்கி பறக்க விட்டோம்..
அப்படி ஒரு நாள் ? இந்த நாள்.. ?
தரமான இன்னிங்ஸ் கம்பீர்.. தோணி ???
Vishnu Priya Ramesh tells us about how she wasn’t allowed to pee because Superstition.
That night remains so fresh in my memory. Our entire gated community was delighted for the match. There were some ladies doing sacred chants and praying for India’s victory. I like to share a funny incident that happened to me. I went to pee when Sehwag and Sachin came to bat. Unfortunately, Shewag was golden ducked. Again I went to pee the next time when Sachin was scoring 18. He was made out too. Considering this a bad luck, my father and uncles didn’t allow to me to the restroom till 10:49 PM until they heard the enthusiastic voice of Ravi Shastri ” Anddd Dhoni finishes off in his style, India lifts the world cup after 28years”
I got goosebumps on hearing that commentary and I still I used to get the same feeling whenever I watch that winning shot! This will be one treasurable memory which I’ll cherish forever.
The Retirement Emotions: Anirudh Karthik
The World Cup happened exactly during my 2nd semester. I got suspended due to personal reasons. I didn’t feel at all and I started watching the World Cup. I used to be a great fan in those days. Mainly because all my favourite players were there in the team, starting from Sehwag to Dhoni. Those were the days I used to be a Dhoni fan as well. Everyone was in a great form and unlike now where only the top three performs, literally everyone was doing well. That was the time when Sachin was showing his class and the time when Virat Kohli was announcing himself. He slowly was approaching towards getting the baton from Sachin. There were a lot of things. India should win, Sachin needed a good send-off, Virat Kohli stepping up, The birth of Ashwin and so on. Not only that. I loved the opponent team as well. Sanga, Jayawardena. Include Ricky Ponting, A good Pakistan team. At some point, we realized that India are favourites to go to the final. It did hurt me when a favourite team got eliminated. Adding to the worries, there was the retirement of a lot of players. Ricky Ponting’s steak was broken so was his captaincy. It did hurt me. On the other hand, I wanted India to win as well. When we knew that the Quarters was against Australia, I was double-minded but of course, I supported India. A part of me wanted Pakistan in the final as well. Then in the final, it was Sri Lanka and I loved everyone out there started from Sanga who was smiling even after losing the World Cup. I cannot put in words how emotional it was, the whole World Cup. Probably it was the last time where India had some seven to eight players in a great form and everyone was performing towards the same goal. Guess, probably that is once in a lifetime moment. Most importantly, the game was balanced and not batsman oriented like it is now. Unfortunately, we cannot see the balanced cricket anymore.
