A TIME TO REMEMBER….

What is it that has the power to bring together 1.2 billion people? What has the power t shut down the entire country without having to be told to do so? What is it that brings an everlasting smile and befriends even strangers and makes friends turn enemies?  It’s the power of sports. It’s the charm of the game; it’s the spirit of the nation that spreads across the length and breadth of this country. It’s the biased love that the people shower to glorify players to being living God’s! As its 2 years down, the day when the entire nation was left speechless and motionless when captain cool lifted the world cup. When Wankhede stadium was on fire with the blaze of victory.

What gets me to think and actually pen it down is where do we stand 2 years later, after witnessing the golden page of Indian cricket and what is it that we look back to and what is the road ahead.

2011 world cup was much more than a mere tournament. It was about revenge, joy and pride, it was way beyond individual personalities. It was not about ‘a man playing his last world cup’ or ‘someone playing his 1^st’. It wasn’t about ‘a cancer-struck man of the series’.  It wasn’t about ‘the midas man winning’. It was about a 15 man squad dripped in blue representing a nation a billion painted in tricolor waiting to prove to the world. Leaving an imprint on the world. It was about ‘Supremacy’. It was ‘World Domination’

The prestigious cup had eluded this cricket crazy country for 28 years! The stage was set, the nation was charged. It was now or never! The memories of a day which makes every person related skip a beat and emotionally stunned to sit and wonder and what it was! The journey from being favorites to ‘World Champions’.

Where are we from then to now? Having painted our faces and danced to joy to fighting over petty internal issues. From being the ‘nawab’ to being dropped. From playing the last world cup in style to struggling to clear the ropes. From being the hero to a sympathy struck cancer survivor. From the man with the midas touch to questions on captaincy…..  From being a ‘team’ that enjoyed each other’s success to being individualistic. All said and done. Are we still the same? Do we still have the vigor, energy and enthusiasm to capture the world?

Today as I sit wearing my cricket rocks tee reliving the moments of yesteryears and wonder at what it takes to be world champions, it leaves me with a smile. My heart wants to ignore all the negatives. And I remember of how mad the country looked. The beauty of the golden era of Indian cricket leaves me spellbound yet again. The charm still alive. The glory still shinning. The memories still etched. The tears of joy still felt.

I began today as a confused writer. The chronicles running wild in my heart itching me to write. But confused of what is left to be said. Questioning my love for the sport, ‘was it really that special?’ ‘Is it worth a mention 2 years later?’ ‘Look at us now! Does it even matter?’ But yes my fellow cricket fanatics. ‘2^nd April 2011’ is a date engraved in gold and reminiscences of which will never elude our hearts. A journey worth a mention every single time. Events which will always make you look over the negatives. A time which will leave you with tears.

As I look back and smile, am mobbed with pictures running in my head. I look at myself and think of what this sport has given me, what it has made me and where it will take me. Being an ardent lover and strongest critic. The emotions that run through my blood force the energy to grab the pen. And I wonder am I the same person? This isn’t how I feel! I kept telling myself NO!

But as I conclude, I feel relieved and light, re-exploring myself.  Firm as rock, happy to be an unsaid part. Proud to have witnessed it, and glad to have been able to share it. Feel proud cricket lovers, because whatever people say, whatever comes your way, whatever the situation, once a cricket-lover always one.

Enjoy and congratulations as we complete 2 years of being crowned ‘world champions’…..

A TIME…..WORTH REMEMBERING…..