West Indies
Clearly my second favourite cricket playing nation for
years.
Its very happy to see this wonderful nation play in a final
. I think this is the first time I am seeing WI team play in a final .
They have won a ICC Championship some years back. But I this is a World Cup . Today they play in the
Finals of the Fourth Edition of ICC T20 WorldCup against SriLanka.
If not Sachin, it will be Lara, may most favourite
sportsperson. I don’t know the exact reason why I like him. May be his style ,
may be his nature. It started from him, my thought towards the Indies in the
West. I ve seen some old matches played in 1970's-80’s. It’s clearly this team that
ruled the entire globe in cricket. But It was 1983 world cup finals that sealed
their fate. It was till the first innings that were clearly the Champions for
the third consecutive time. But it was time for the East. So from then their
graph took the downfall.
At times player used to roar with some individual performances
of Walsh , Ambrose . I used to fear when Walsh came to bowl and the
same for the other “Black Magician Ambrose”. Chandrapaul and Hooper shine in some matches. Then I think around 2006-07 where most of the team was restructured with
senior players going out and youngsters making their way in lights of Gayle,
Samuels, Edwards, Bravo. Once when India played against them I wished Windies
to win that ODI. I can never forget the match in India when Marlon Samuels
smashed a century and took a pink cloth from his pocket and showed the world. One
other thing is they had the first even women commentator in international
Cricket.
In 2007 , they had an opportunity to conduct the World Cup .
The event was not that received, as India and Pakisthan exited early from the
tournament. That time as far as I am concerned I was very glad to see that
people over there celebrate Cricket. Play cricket mostly on beaches. Have lots
of fun.The same year also had the first ever T20 coming into picture and the
introduction of IPL.
From then onwards, the players started gaining respect
around the world. With each of the Players playing for different teams and shining
individually. Pollard for Mumbai. Bravo for Chennai. Gayle for Banglore. Narine
for Kolkata. Then they had the salary issues going in their home country. So
most of the players boycotted some games. Now with all settled and these players
coming together as a Team is a very positive thing.
Their opponent, Sri Lanka. The have home support as an added advanatage in this
match. Some say they are the favourites. They have few exceptional players.
This Cup is needed for their country. As they give the first place to Cricket
putting Cinema and Politics behind. That’s why u can find Jayawardane and
Sangakara photos in most of the shops banner. But I want Windies to win the Cup and perform
their dance in the ground. I ll consider myself unfortunate to miss this show
as I will be travelling, but I ll never stay away from scores and updates on
mobile.
So as an East Indian I wish the West Indies to bring home
the Cup and Glory
Nandri ,S. Praveen Kumar,
07.10.2012
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