THE CUP OF REDEMPTION
Saikrit Gulati
Moments can transform lives. It is all about that one flash of transformation that can uplift mood, bring smiles and can transform lives.
It might sound like an overstatement but I would just say it: The last few minutes of the final between India and South Africa in 2024’s ICC T20 World Cup was such a time, when our mind constantly turned a truculent hand towards our heart’s pacifying statements.
Cut to 2023’s most fateful day in terms of sports — November 19, the day India and Australia clashed at the world’s biggest stage in the ODI World Cup Final 2023 at Ahmedabad.
A buoyant India met a resurgent Australia only to fizzle out under pressure and lose a golden opportunity to lift ICC trophy in India.
To describe that day would be overly similar to describing a certain doomsday, for November 19 involved the ‘murder’ of hopes of a billion Indians.
To my generation who were unaware of the very existence of cricket when India last lifted the cup in 2011, it looked as if we will not get a chance to see the team win a trophy with our eyes.
That day, the ‘Men in Yellow’ had sounded the death-knell of all Indian hopes.
Even Rohit Sharma’s impressive record in ICC tournaments faltered in this summit clash. When all seemed lost, however, redemption was awaiting us.
Back to the 2024 World Cup in the T20 format just after a buzzing IPL season and the style of play in India’s initial matches at New York’s “temporary” stadium were a testament to the team’s determination and winnability and yet, it seemed as if the team hadn’t quite found its rhythm.
This is, perhaps, the most stunning ever summit clash victory for a side that has fallen short more than just a few times, in the past. However, this was a cup of redemption not just for the team but, also, for all the players.
While India did avenge its title defeats at the hands of England and Australia by convincingly outsmarting them and even shutting the doors of the group stage to Mitchell Marsh’s determined Australia and defeating England in the semifinal, a more vertiginous mountain was ascended by some teammates, especially Hardik Pandya.
Hardik’s story is that of a person who was booed by the supporters of his own franchise after replacing Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai Indians Captain.
His performance suffered serious bruises and a lacklustre IPL left everyone worried about Team India’s overdependence on his all-round abilities.
However, everything got going when Hardik Pandya returned to his ‘prime’ after donning the India jersey.
Bowling the last over in the summit clash isn’t child’s play and the same player who was booed by the Indian crowd had now ended our trophy drought.
From boos to loud cheers is the difference which Hardik has trudged to guide India to becoming world champions.
Even, skipper Rohit Sharma exhorted revenge for the Indian loss in the top-notch clash on November 19, 2023 with a heroic innings that brimmed with boundaries, slashing the Aussie Bowlers.
This certainly is the Lord Almighty’s plan and to bring home this title shows this Indian team’s skills.
These are the men with nerves of steel and each Indian hopes that this team will guide the country to even greater heights, along with instilling the pride of victory in every Indian’s heart.
Certainly, June 29 is a day more historic than November 19. We ought to remember that.
The writer is a student of Class X, St. John’s High School, Chandigarh
