NOTE: This review is about the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 final that India ended up losing to Australia. It doesn’t justifies the title of the review but I am just taking this opportunity to wish Indian cricket team the best in future.
Today is March 23rd and a few hours ago Australia went on to defeat India in the much awaited ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2003. The sore eyes of indian fans will have to wait at least 4 years, if not more to see their favourite players, lift the most prestigious trophy in the cricket world. I know all the fans all over the world are very dissappointed but trust me guys, the team is without any doubt is a whole lot more dissapointed than us and this is the time when they need our real support. Everybody can shower praises on a team that’s winning but a true fan is the one who stands by his team even when it loses.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Indian cricket team for putting forward such a splendid performance throughout the world cup. Other than the two games we lost to Australia, the performance of the Indian team was really fantastic as they went on to convincingly defeat teams like England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Holland. Sachin amassed 673 runs in the tournament and deservingly won the man of the tournament award. Sourav Ganguly led his team like a man of steel and backed up his team mates even when they were not in a good form. Rahul Dravid was as committed as ever. Srinath, Zaheer and Nehra had more than 50 wickets in the tournament and they rattled some good batting sides like England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand for less than 200 runs.
I would hate to see the newspapers blaming Sourav Ganguly for India’s defeat since he decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Depending on the performance of the Indian pace trio, and India’s phenomenal chasing record in the past year, I would say that it was a good decision. I would have to say though, that the bowlers let us down for the first time in the tournament. Unfortunately it was the final, and it costed us the cup. Having said that, I think Australians batted superbly and took the game away from us after posting a mammoth 359 runs.
The future of Indian cricket team however looks bright and I would like to congratulate the whole team for giving their hundred percent in every game that they played. We fought like warriors and we fought till the end and that’s what matters more than anything else. Lets hope our team keeps up the fighting spirit and keeps improving in coming times.
By a true cricket fan.
Comments Criticism awaited.