Imran-Akram-Miandad-Qadir went on the rampage in 1987 Reliance World Cup held jointly by India and Pakistan, other than Srilanka. Pakistan was like a giant. Abdul Qadir, known just as a leg spinner till the other day, can have the capacity to hit an audacious six off no other than Courtney Walsh, the famed West Indian speedster, to bring off an improbable victory in the very last over. (Yes, I’m not mentioning Chetan Sharma, my readers!).
Allan Border- led Australia went to Pakistan to play their Semi Final against Imran-led Pakistan. Media, all over the cricketing world, speculated how the Aussies would be ‘roasted’ by the Pakistani pace battery for their most-favoured biryani. Roasted were they as Imran cart-wheeled Aussie stumps one after another, except the last over. Steve Waugh, the autobiographer of Out of My Comfort Zone, took on rookie Saleem Jaffer in the last over and hit two towering sixes to a stunned Lahore stadium, to score eighteen runs.
And it is these eighteen runs that the much-fancied Pakistani batsmen could not bridge as they scored 249, well short of 267 of the Aussies. The true Aussie spirit came through as they beat Pakistan in their own den. (The highlights of that match, I believe, none can forget. One is a Simon O’Donnell delivery to a just-arrived in-form, dangerous Salim Malik when an innocuous looking ball rose sharply short of length and Malik had to fend off hurriedly to protect his face to balloon a simple catch to a waiting fielder at short mid-on. The other is Pak women at the stands singing Kabhi al vida na kahna to a pensive looking Imran as he went back to the pavilion getting out to a clever Border spin-web). Australia later went on to win the World Cup, beating England in the final at the Eden Gardens. (Can you remember, the suicidal reverse sweep of Gatting that led not to his, but his team’s downfall?)
That Aussie power was on ample display at Ahmedabad versus India at the World Cup final on Sunday. The way Head made himself a veritable headache for India was something for the cricket fans to remember for the rest of their life. Remember, it is that Head whose timely ton had put India out of the match at the World Test Championship final this year. Travis Head has come to a head for India at every crucial juncture of their cricketing journey.
So Men in Blue are in Men in blues. But there are some important takeaways for this team. 1. The magical form of Virat Kohli. Just years back his indifferent form led to a vociferous chorus from the Himalayas to the Ganga for his retirement. He is the highest accumulator of runs in this World Cup and judged Man of the Tournament. 2. The aggressive captaincy of Rohit Sharma. The way Rohit has marshalled his forces is a treat to watch and it is for this aspect India has won ten matches on the trot. 3. The arrival of next generation players. From K.L. Rahul to Siraz – the players of next generation have registered their presence firmly in this World Cup. They are ready to carry on the proud legacy of Indian cricket. Indian cricket is in safe hands. 4. The folklore type comeback of Mohammad Shami. Battling against his worrisome domestic front and rising age, Shami produced a lethal wizardry that only he can visualize and materialize.
Every man about street in India can ‘understand’ cricket and goes about pointing out which Indian cricketer made what mistakes in the final. I wonder, if they have ever seen a real cricket bat or ball in their whole life. ‘For God’s sake hold your tongue’ and marvel at the Aussies (who revel in out of comfort zone traditionally and produce their best) for their never-say-die cricket humming, ‘How I wonder what you are….’