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I haven’t slept.
No, really. I just haven’t been able to. I’m lost somewhere between excitement, nervousness, anxiety and love.
It’s like 1996 all over again. That’s the first ICC Cricket World Cup I followed actively. Also, I was eleven at the time and took part in those silly competitions that involved collecting bottle caps which could later be exchanged for a cap made of flimsy material or a t-shirt with Fido-Dido on it. Those were the days, glory days. With such pride we would carry dirty bottle caps in our hands. We would persuade relatives and neighbors to order crates of cola but to make sure the bottle caps were handed to us. We even had a collection squad. Such simple (and borderline crazy) times! Outside the gates of La Martiniere, Calcutta, we would boast of our great insight on the game of cricket and throw random statistics at each other. We would console each other after a loss and celebrate each victory. We dreaded the Australians then, like we do today. Surely the law of averages must come into play? They’ve beaten us all winter, has our time finally come?
When the month of February came by and this World Cup started, I had very little faith in the ability of our team. Four cricketers from the last World Cup winning team of 2011 remain. MS Dhoni still at the helm, cool as cool can be; Suresh Raina still tonking the ball over midwicket, posture of a ballerina and the jump of a kangaroo; Ravichandran Ashwin, flighting the ball more now than ever before. If he wasn’t spearheading our spin department, he’d be playing carom for India; and lastly the poster boy of this generation Virat Kohli on whom the dependence of our batting relies on, much like the tabloids that depend on his slipups to carry out ridiculous stories. A friend posted on Facebook, with Article 66A of the IT act being struck out, Facebook should have 4 options: Like, Share, Comment and Kohli.
Though T20 cricket and specifically the Indian Premier League (IPL) have made several of these modern day cricketers household names, it always raises the question – will they be able to play the 50 over format? The likes of Ajinkya Rahane have proved themselves in the regional format and the likes of Rohit Sharma have slammed the non-test playing nations. On their day, they’re both world beaters. I read on Twitter, “"Rohit Sharma's talent is like black money. We all know it's there, but aren't sure when and how much will come out." Jokes aside, I feel that these two players will have a big part to play in the Semi Finals against host nation, Australia. Both these batsmen play the short ball well and are better players on bouncy tracks compared to other subcontinent cricketers. Virat Kohli is due a big score and if these three come together, we’re in good hands.
The bowling unit for us in the World Cup has been incredible. The stuff dreams are made of, unless you’re dreaming of baking cookies or designing cocktail dresses. Md Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma, the three amigos who have rattled the best in the world with the short ball! Taking 70 wickets in 7 matches in no mean feat and as most other Indians I too grew wanting to bat regardless of it being inter-house cricket or gully-cricket or any cricket, it takes a lot to be a bowler. It really does.
Alongside New Zealand and South Africa, we have the best set of fielders manning the inner circle. Sir Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli pretty much sum up everything right about fielding. Throw in Shikhar Dhawan in the slips, and we have ourselves a party. MSD’s vision of creating run outs by throwing the ball from weird angles sometimes saving a few seconds that prove to be crucial, has affected a generation that’s followed suit while keeping wickets.
Are we good enough to beat Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground? Yes.
Why?
- Our bowlers are possessed and probably eating non-vegetarian food.
- Our fielding has been sharp and our catching good.
- MSD’s captaincy has been tremendous. The best I have seen.
- The middle order looks steady in case the top few fail.
- Australia will be playing in away conditions on their home soil. We will paint the ground saffron, white and green.
- Australian batsmen aren’t finding the short ball easy to handle. We’re digging deep and making things happen.
- Virat Kohli is due a big score. Anushka Sharma might be in the crowd.
- Because there are a billion prayers. Sometimes all our Gods come together.
Bleed blue. Have the faith. Tomorrow we go to battle. INDIYEAH!
(About the writer: Arjun Puri was born and raised in Kolkata, back when it was still called Calcutta. As a young child he spent time in Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru – before their names changed. His last long-term home was London, and he fully expects it to call itself something else soon. Arjun graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2007 and worked as a banker for 5 years, before he realised it was not for him. Arjun now lives in Delhi and works in the education sector. He loves books, sport, people and travel -- and most of all, Leyla, his German Shepherd).
