A great day for Indian Cricket

For all Indians around the world, its dussera today -- the win of Rama over Ravana. 

28 years ago, 90% of India did not know that we had won the world cup. This time around, every Indian is celebrating the win. In 1983, as a sleepy eyed 8 year old, I jumped up and down in front of the Black and White TV as India won, not quite realising the historic nature of the moment. On 2nd of April 2011, this cynical 36 year old was again jumping up and down in front of the TV as the men in blue won again, fully aware of the historic nature of the moment and simultaneously transformed into the 8 year old of 1983.

Gambhir, Kohli, Yuvraj and MSD finally did win it for Sachin. Virat Kohli, what a great thing to say, "Sachin carried the nation for 21 years, the least we could do was carry him around the field". Zahir Khan redeemed himself this time round, putting behind the ghost of the disastrous first over of 2003 WC finals.

In the hindsight, Srilanka choosing Ranadiv over Mendis proved great for India. After all, Mendis was probably their best bowler this tournament. Also, do shed a tear for Murali. Poor guy got his team to WC final twice, only to see them lose both times. First time, his attempt was stalled by the Rain Gods, and this time, by the resilient team India, who showed that even without any major batting from the God, Sachin Tendulkar, and his main deciple, Virendra Sehwag, India can still win.

And K. Srikanth - Member, 1983 WC wining team and Chief Selector, 2011 WC wining team. Guess that makes him biggest expert in Indian cricket, at least for the next 4 years.

But I guess, the win of 1983 should still be rated higher. After all, it was at a time when the main sport of the Country was Hockey and the annual spending on cricket was less than the fees currently paid by BCCI to a player for a match.

Yes, Kapil will forever remain the ultimate hero, viewed as he was, through the eyes of a 8 year old, as he ran backwards for that historic catch. But Gambhir and Dhoni would come close second, as for once, they came out of the shadow of the person the world has come to recognise as the God of cricket.

At the same time, please remember Saurav Ganguly. History is never made in a day. Before Ganguly came, the selectors called all the shots. After Ganguly, the captain had the final words in team selection.Dhoni, Yuvraj, Sehwag, Harbhajan, Zahir, Gambhir; the core of this winning team were  all brought into the team and protected and nurtured by Saurav Ganguly. Ganguly also taught our players not to get down under pressure. Ganguly was responsible for the creating the ecosystem in which Dhoni presently functions. The journey for today's supremacy began 10 years back under Ganguly in Eden Gardens when Laxman showed the world that India can defeat the mighty Australia in their own game. The picture of bare chested Ganguly waving his shirt in Lords represents today's Cricket India.

All the same, its time to shout INDIAAA, INDIAAAA.