September 24, 2007 will forever remain a red letter day for Indian cricket, just like June 25, 1983 was. Back then, we had won the World Cup against all odds led by a young and enthusiastic captain leading a true team effort. There was a two to three year golden period when India won every single tournament culminating in the Benson and Hedges World championship in 1985 when we beat Pakistan in the finals.
Indian cricket fans like me waited for 22 years for something like this to happen again and this Monday was it. The Twenty20 Finals of the World championship, again playing against Pakistan led by a youthful captain and missing experienced players, India beat all the odds- and boy, this triumph is so sweet...having suffered bitter disappointment in the early part of the season, this is one for the ages particularly because no one gave us a chance. Also, all too often in the past, the overt optimism and jingoism of the average Indian fan, including myself, have got the team under tremendous pressure. This time was different and no one can grdge the Indians this victory. Well and truly deserved, beating Australia, South Africa, England and Pakistan in quick succession in reasonably tight games is something we havent done in years. Does the fact that the average age of this squad is 24 have something to do with their self belief and ability to win in tight situations.
Again, before we get too carried away, it will take some doing to dislodge Australia from being the most consistent team in the world. A cracker of a series is coming up between India and Australia but for the moment, lets just soak this moment- India as the world champs of Twenty20 cricket!
Congratulations and hope the next victory is not 22 years away!!!!!
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