My travels is all about... My views, thoughts and experiences on/about/at/with random places of interest, persons, things, events, issues etc,. I am an eternal student with a restless mind and a tumultuous heart!

Sunday, April 2, 2017

This Day, That Year

(On 2nd of April 2011, India Won the ICC Cricket World Cup)



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Exactly six years ago, this day, India won the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhade Stadium, Mumbai by 6 wickets. What a day it was, ended by Ravi Shastri's epic words "And Dhoni, finishes it off in style". A nation of a billion erupted in joy, an irrational surge of patriotic fervor, which ironically no scientific achievement or social success could inspire. I still remember everything like it was yesterday. The celebrations on streets, being glued to television sets till the end, the euphoria and grandeur.....

But very sadly, I missed the first innings, almost completely, save for a few overs, as I had to be away at Office on an engagement. Everyone at office pre-planned a holiday (Ha ha - Lucky all), and I grudgingly took up the task. The second innings (India's run chase), I had the pleasure of watching at my hostel room along with friends. As we just stepped out for a stroll (unlucky thing to do while watching a cricket match, some would say), a sudden gloom fell over-a deafening silence at every home, followed by 'Oohs' and 'Aahs' - the master blaster, Tendulkar was out for just 18.

Another wicket after a steady partnership meant that Yuvraj would come to the crease, but alas, it was the captain! Few jokes were cut at the expense of the out of form Dhoni, criticsizing the 'nightwatchman captain for his disastrous decision'. But all critics quickly converted to fans and cheered on, and an epic partnership between Dhoni and Gambhir meant only one thing - impending Indian victory, India about to lift the cricket world cup after 28 years.

Around 11 PM, I was waiting for a bus to my home town (Since, I took study leave from the next day), when I got to witness the six that won the world cup for India. After I boarded the buss, I saw a great deal of revelry all through the route, and people still thronged streets, shouting in joy, by the time I reached my hometown at 3.30 AM. Then, I watched the complete game replay,ball by ball, and slept happily!

Cricket, despite being a British legacy and shamefully commercialized, is one of the few factors which binds the country in a patriotic grip, which acts as a safety sink of our emotions, which makes a few of us fanatics and most of us expertly interested. And 2nd of April gives an exclusive right for fans, like me, to brag about 'This day, That year'.
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References (If any)

1. Place and Date -
@ - #16-7-16 Bhramara (Ground Floor), Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu (West Godavari), Andhra Pradesh - 534 260.
On -2nd of April, 2017

2. Subject - India winning ICC CWC (ODI) 2011- "This day, That Year"
After a span of 28 years, India won the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup on 2nd of April, 2011, defeating Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhade Stadium, Mumbai. Just a nostalgia filled rememberance of the day, for me personally, and to all of Indians!
Please see - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Cricket_World_Cup_Final

3. Picture -India winning ICC CWC (ODI) 2011- "This day, That Year"
That's the winning shot - The Man of the Final (MS Dhoni) and the Player of the tournament (Yuvraj Singh)