Thirty runs in 30 balls. That sinking feeling once again. The spirit is low and the smiles are forced. The Indian fans know which team will do the victory lap with the trophy. A collective heartbreak is only minutes away.
Eleven years is a long wait for anything, let alone an ICC trophy. It’s almost a generation. And the irony of the situation hits you hard when you realise your team has been the best in the world, but it has no big trophies to show for it. The fans know skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid deserve much better. They came tantalisingly close to one during the One-Day World Cup last year. After a show of total dominance all through the tournament, it was one match that failed India. Yet it is that one match, the final, which means everything in the end.
Will there be a repeat? 17.2 overs; South Africa 155 for 5. Hope is ebbing away. The mood is gloomy, even surly. Chokers, aren’t they? The fans are getting angrier by the ball. A miracle is what India need. Will Jaspreet Bumrah work his magic? Hardik, Arshdeep, anyone? Spinners have been a mess already.
Bumrah gets Marco Jansen with a beauty that only he can manufacture. Some sunshine, but not enough to dispel the sense of foreboding. The dangerous David Miller is still around. A South African victory is only a few big hits away.
It’s the last over. Six balls to defend 16 runs. Not easy. It’s T20 cricket. Batsmen score more than 20 runs without a sweat. The last over usually drives them wilder. One edge, one mishit and one six at the wrong time can transform equations. Time to bite the nails.
Hardik Pandya is a gutsy player, never the one to shy away from a challenge. He is in charge of the final over. A big responsibility. He carries the hope of millions of Indians on his shoulders. If he fails to deliver, he would be branded a villain. In the age of social media villains can be born at the speed of light. It’s a tag that stays long.
He gets David Miller. Suryakumar takes a good catch. Two balls and ten runs to be scored. Brightness shining through now. Fans can feel it. The smiles are bigger now. Excitement is at fever pitch. They love situations where India doesn’t look too uncomfortable. One more wicket down. Kagiso Rabada is gone. Nothing can stop India at this point.
It’s over. South Africa end seven runs short. For Indian players, joy, relief and emotions flow without inhibition. Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma break down in tears. There must be more tears in the Indian camp that do not show.
Some difficult news follows. Virat Kohli, who proved class can never be an expendable quantity in cricket with a masterly 76, announces retirement from T20 international cricket. Skipper courageous Rohit announces his retirement from T20 international too. What a way to say goodbye!
For the fans of the Men in Blue the celebration can never be too long. It was way back in 2007 that India lifted the T20 World Cup. A wait of 17 years is too long. It was 11 years for a major ICC trophy. The jinx is broken. But next time India will need to manage without two of its greatest players. Thank Rohit and Virat for everything.
There is some sadness for South Africa. They deserve much better with so much potential. The ‘choker’ tag will stay with them some more time. They can take heart from India’s victory though. A good team cannot be held down for long.
(By arrangement with Perspective Bytes)