To Cricket Lovers,
For once, I felt Indian cricket team is not just Tendulkar.
Saturday, 13th July was a big day for both England, India and Indian fans in England. Lords was full and was ready to take the big Natwest finals match. We were sitting in front of flat-Big screen TV ( fantastic view ) with lot of refreshments. To make the match more exciting, stakes were offered on India and England (Dont call this betting). I was confident that India would win but I took stakes offered to England to console myself if by chance India looses ( Weird ).
First one hour of England batting was heart breaking to any Indian fan. Nassir Hussain and Tescothick smashed the ball around. I felt Indian bowling was worse. Why cant they bowl straight and up?? ( easy to say ). Any bowler would be dejected and de motivated if he is treated like the way English batsmen treated. But, the best part was Indian team was trying its best under such hammering condition to restrain the batsmen and put some kind of fight. It looked like England would make a record in history. But cricket is a game of uncertainty that’s what it makes so exciting. Finally a daunting task of 326 to win was put in front of India.
At this time, only thing to console me was my decision to take England stakes. Though I felt nervous and I don’t know why I use to feel England bowlers are too good for Indian batsmen ( Weird again ).
After a bit nervous start from the openers, India gave good show by playing fast and entertaining cricket. Hope is never low till you have master batsman ( sorry, now its master batsmen ) around. But after 5th wicket down and with Kaif and Yuvraj to score more than 6 per over, it was anyone’s guess. England on hot seat. Sadly, I was counting on the money I would get after the match.
Most of us went for a stroll to avoid feeling the defeat Most of us were rest less. Topic of discussion was same ’’Should have been’’ ’’Could have been’’ and ’’Would have been’’. We almost beat up Indian team in our virtual memory by dragging them in.
When I came back, I had a shock to see the score 17 runs required in 3 over. ’’What’’, ’’How’’, ’’Who’’.. !! forget it just see the finish. This is exactly what I thought. I could not believe Indians chased 325 and Won. Funny thing was, now Indian team was full of praise and it was not just about Tendulkar. We all felt like doing the same thing as Ganguly did..( removing shirt ;-) )... This is one of the best match I have ever seen and I really enjoyed the ups and downs of my emotions..! Funny but true..!
ooops I forgot to tell you that I lost 10£ and I did not feel sorry.. ;-)