Brisbane Breached on 19-Jan-2021

19-Jan-2021

Unbelievable , Incredible, Miraculous and beyond the wildest of dreams.

These are some of the words which spring to mind when I recall the victory in Brisbane over the mighty Aussies in their own backyard. To make it double sweet, it was achieved in Gabbatoir. The venue where Australia's proud record of unbeaten for 32 years was shattered by Team India.

Reels and reels have been printed and will be said about this victory. Rightly so. Probably this is the greatest series victory by Team India with all due respect to what they achieved in yester years. Simply the best !!!

I was following the series closely and waking up at 5 AM to watch first session of test match was never a problem. Brisbane test match was no different. After watching the heroics in Sydney, I had a feeling that India will do well in Brisbane. But even the optimist in me did not see a victory on a final day by scoring 328 on a Day 5 pitch. Everyone in the team chipped in with some contribution and hence this, for me, is the greatest team victory for India.

Team India resembled a school bus in this tour during these bio secure bubble times. Just like the school bus drops kids on their way home, Team India kept dropping players for injuries and other reasons. One after the other. It was down to last men standing in Brisbane. The net bowlers have to be recalled in the team to make up the playing eleven.

Especially after 36 all out in Adlaide, pundits were calling for heads. Many of them predicted 4-0. What was about to unfold was beyond even the wildest of dream of Indian cricket fan !!!

My experience was exhilarating as everyone else. I thought not checking my WhatsApp messages on Day 5, I will bring some luck to Team India. WhatsApp groups were on fire that day. Every group was full of coaches who would advise how the Team India should approach the final day :) I was also doing the same stuff a day earlier. But that day, I decided let's go with this superstition. I definitely did not like people calling this as India A or India B team. If you represent your country that means you are as good as everyone else who has represented it earlier. So its disgraceful to call a team as B team or C team. It is India's Team period.

It was sheer luck that I could return from Rutuja's school visit, just in the nick of time. Last hour of the match, I was standing at the same position in front of tv. It was too much to bear since the pure feeling of joy which was lurking on horizon. What if....just what if this happens. I did not even bothered to move an inch for the last hour or so. 

Moment the last boundary was scored, I let out a loud & passionate scream. Just went on clapping for couple of minutes. Doing my own celebrations, Hi-fi ing every one in the house. Three generations at my home enjoyed this rare moment. I had tears in my eyes just to realize what is meant by "Khushi ke aansu". I looked at Kavita and she was shaking her head in joy and just going like...there he goes again.

I had suppressed so much ill feelings towards Aussies, so much of hatred for the players, so much of anger for their abusive behavior and their hateful brand of sledging. I wanted to give it all back by cursing or swearing loudly. I just wanted to say take that you xxxxxxx....

But what I felt in the rare golden moment was 

• Why don't I enjoy the moment? 
• Why to waste the moment by getting ill feelings out? 
• What is the point to take a dig when the job is already done?

This is such a rare and beautiful moment, such a historical moment. 

And then at that very moment a serene, calm and beautiful feeling hit my mind. I was all smiles and never been happier as a test cricket fan. I was just soaking in the moment, enjoying the moment and forgot about everything else. 

Harsha Bhogle itched this moment in the history with words "Covid, you have been beaten" 

Well said Harsha !!

Perhaps this is the reason why we love this game. This wonderful game of glorious uncertainties.