India Shining

India’s victory over England has come in at the right time for both the team and the crazy cricket loving nation as a whole. It’s said that cricket is a religion in India but I guess that’s an understatement, it’s the way of life for most of the population here; it’s the air they breathe. After the debacle in the world cup the fans needed a miracle to happen to get them back to their senses and that’s exactly what happened yesterday. Away victories are precious commodity for the Indian cricket (even though they have been wining matches more frequently of late).

Indians needed to play good all-round cricket and they needed some amount of luck to be on their side. They got both. Gods must have felt the same and they came to the respite of India in the previous test by showering rain on the fifth day to help India draw the match. In this test they helped us by being on our side during the toss.

But don’t take away the credit from the game they played. It was heartening to see every member of the TEAM contributing to this victory. Be it the solid stand from the openers in first innings or the glow of the glorious underperforming middle order it was all there. The bowlers contributed a major part in this victory led by Zaheer Khan. Zaheer bowled with immaculate precision in both the innings and he was well supported by both Kumble and Singh. The two wickets of Singh in the second innings were beauty. The most important thing we played like a TEAM. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I say “Gone are those days that the match was won by primarily the contribution of either Kumble, Sachin or Dravid “.

Indians have been winning test matches oversees more frequently now, only that the consistency is missing. Be it in South Africa, West Indies or Australia they had the upper hand in the series but couldn’t go on to win them. Hope they don’t repeat that again and come out and win this series. I like any other cricket crazy fan will be praying for it, but will have to wait for another 15 days to see if our prayers come thro’.

RJ