It is World Cup – ICC T20 Mens World Cup – and it has been very entertaining – unlike, this has not exactly been high scoring, but with lot of unexpected results. In the eight editions played thus far, a total of 21 teams have competed. West Indies and England have won the tournament twice; India under MS Dhoni won the inaugural WC in 2007.
Yesterday, at St Lucia, Rohit Sharma was sublime, scoring 76 of his 92 runs in boundaries and left Australia with nowhere to hide. A total of 205 built on a series of broken records proved much for the Aussies. In fact the team total was mere 52 when Rohit reached his half-century. In one over off Mitchell Starc Rohit scored 28 runs with 4 sixers.
Team India flourished to 205/5 - the joint-highest by any team against Australia at the men's T20 World Cup. West Indies made 205 for 4 against Australia in the semi-final of the 2012 edition. Rohit peppered 8 - Sixes during his 92-run knock, the most by an India batter in an innings at the men's T20 World Cup. He broke the record held by Yuvraj Singh, who hit seven sixes against England in 2007, including six in one over off Stuart Broad. Though India went 21 deliveries without a boundary between the 15th and 18th overs, they still managed a finishing kick as Hardik Pandya nailed three sixes in the final two overs.
David Warner fell cheaply in the chase but Travis Head was giving deep trouble. A stunner by Axar Patel started the swinging of pendulum – he was few yards off the fence at deep square leg, the slog hit of Marsh was hit well - Axar leapt, went for it with both hands, and got it with just his right. It was a great win for India ensuring a place in Semis.
Today, the two playing teams alongside Australia had theoretical chance ! In a rain affected thriller, Bangladesh had to chase their original target of 116 down in 12.1 overs to pip both Australia and Afghanistan to the semi-final. Their chase was delayed by half an hour, due to a 20-minute downpour. A stop-start game, owing to multiple rain interventions, Afghanistan - led by four-fors from Naveen and Rashid - edged out Bangladesh by a mere eight runs, and in the process, also knocked Australia out of the T20 World Cup 2024. For the best part of the last hour, a cat-and-mouse game ensued. There were moments when Bangladesh edged Afghanistan out on the DLS par score, only for the latter to come back to snatch back the advantage by picking up wickets.
The finish was tense and dramatic. After 17 overs Bangladesh needed 12 from 12 balls with 2 wickets in hand. They were leading in DL – 17.3 Naveen-ul-Haq dropped Litton Das off his own bowling and a single was taken. Next ball Taskin chopped a good delivery to his stumps and with his departure Afghans were better in DLS – then came the rains !! again as the players had to move out. They returned sooner and then Mustagiur was trapped plumb – reviewed only to see the Umpire finger going up again. Afghanistan are through to the semis – wild rampage on the ground and back home at Kandahar.
On 27th June 2024 early morning at 6 am - Afghanistan would play South Africa and at 8 pm India will play England. .. .. and today is 25th June - 41 years ago, we remember the iconic image of Kapil Dev standing at Lord’s balcony holding aloft Prudential World Cup.
On 25.6.1983, Indians were underdogs – least fancied, they had never been in Finals. Their opponents were mighty West Indies who had rock solid batting and fearsome quartet of pace bowlers. India had a worst start – Gavaskar struggling and getting out. Krishnamachari Srikkanth entertained us – hooking, going down on his knees for a square cut but the team ended up at just 183. That day Doordarshan provided live coverage with a couple of ‘breakdowns’ – towards the end, commentary went-off and they quickly added radio commentary to the visuals.
It was Sri Azhagiya Singar Aani Brahmothsavam Yanai vahanam ~ those were the days, when people would at street corners stand in group listening to radio commentary. Gordon Greenidge left a big banana inswinger of Balwinder Sandhu and saw it coming in and clipping his stumps. Viv Richards strode in and took on the bowlers – Madanlal was the workhorse and every Indian supporter would remember that frozen moment. Richards getting into the line and flicking Madanlal over midwicket – Kapil Dev kept running back and took the catch with effortless ease – an exemplary effort – great anticipation, finest athleticism and classy fielding. It was really a combined effort as India defended the low target to emerge victorious.
Reliving that glorious day 25.6.1983, that changed the way of Cricket in India, more so, the way the World started regarding Indian Cricket Team
With regards – S Sampathkumar
25.6.2o24
