If you were to ask any die-hard cricket fan what makes this day, the 24th of September, 2007, so special, you better head to the nearest hospital nursing your bruises for posing such a stupid question. Behold!!!! This day brings back the fond memories of the World Cup of 1983 that was snatched from the very jaws of Goliath (the mighty West Indies) by us. How in the world can one forget this day, for this very day, Team India has engraved its name imperishably in the annals of cricket history by defeating the indomitable Pakistan in the final to lift the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 trophy. And what a way to win it.
What a game this has been? Went right down to the wire. India won it, lost it, and finally won it by five runs. Indeed one of the best finals I have ever watched be it in any form of cricket. (Not for the fact that it showcased on the game's most intense rivalry an Ind-Pak final)
India's innings had begun with a false start. Yusuf Pathan (better known as Irfan Pathan's brother) a sturdy 24-year-old batsman from Gujarat, had never played for India, but Virender Sehwag was injured so his debut came in extraordinary circumstances. They couldn't get the boisterous start that they wanted, thanks to some real quality bowling display by Pakistan. With India 40 for two from six overs, a lot was expected from Yuvraj Singh. After six sixes in an over against England and a staggering 70 from 30 balls to oust Australia in the semi-finals, it was too much asking, succumbing to the pressure, dismissed for 14. The star who really mattered was Gautam Gambhir, the Indian left-hander, whose classy 75 from 54 balls and a brisk 30 off 16 balls by RP Sharma saw the score trudge past the 150 mark, ending their innings at 157/5.
After scrapping hard to get to 157 for 5 in the face of some tigerish bowling and fielding, India were inspired with the ball, and Pakistan appeared to be well out of contention with 54 needed from 24 balls and just three wickets in hand. But when Misbah thumped Harbhajan Singh for three sixes and Sohail Tanvir chipped in with a four-ball 12, the improbable became possible. With Misbah on strike, Pakistan needed 13 from the final over. After a great deal of thought, Mahendra Singh Dhoni gambled on the inexperienced Joginder Sharma. When he started with a wide, Indian fans groaned, and the situation became even more desperate when Misbah pummelled a full toss miles over long-off for six. But with victory in his grasp, his judgement failed him. Moving across his stumps, he went for the scoop down to fine leg. He didn't connect cleanly, and millions on the subcontinent held their breath as Sreesanth came under the ball at short fine leg. When he held it, the stadium erupted. Pakistan was bundled out for 152 with three balls to spare.
And it was a once-in-a-lifetime-experience that I had. Never have I witnessed Team India climbing the zenith, the last time around, being pathetically clobbered by the mighty Australians in the finals of the 2003 World Cup. Clearly confused over whether to watch the finals by bunking my class or catch up with the highlights on YouTube (which I usually do, for lack of an idiot box at my place), I disdainfully opted the latter; being a good boy attending classes.
Once the classes got over, a stone's throw away, I could figure out at least some hundred odd strangers gazing or 'Window Watching' so to speak at the huge LCD TV on display (screening the finals of course). I knew where I was heading to.
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