Zaheer's spoils in a Tie - worth in Red and Gold
Tie!
It was the only possible result that could make a cricket aficionado happy after going through the length and breadth of the match between India and England in the World Cup. There wasn't a single dull moment in the game right from the first ball of the match which Virendra Sehwag snicked past the stretching hands of the second slip Englishman. There couldn't be any relaxed moment inside the stadium or infront of the television sets when Sachin Tendulkar hits his 47th ODI century, including the 5th in World Cups and 98th overall international centuries and eventually scores 120 in 115 deliveries. There cannot be any boredom when India scores 338 setting up a chase for England - supposedly a winning total.
Tie!
It was the only possible result that could make a cricket aficionado happy after going through the length and breadth of the match between India and England in the World Cup. There wasn't a single dull moment in the game right from the first ball of the match which Virendra Sehwag snicked past the stretching hands of the second slip Englishman. There couldn't be any relaxed moment inside the stadium or infront of the television sets when Sachin Tendulkar hits his 47th ODI century, including the 5th in World Cups and 98th overall international centuries and eventually scores 120 in 115 deliveries. There cannot be any boredom when India scores 338 setting up a chase for England - supposedly a winning total.
It was supposed to be a match fully dominated by India after scoring the run and on a slow wicket, Indian spinners were supposed to run through the English batting line-up. But English skipper Andrew Strauss had other ideas and eventually scripted a remarkable innings which can only be imagined and less executed. Strauss kept the adrenalin flowing and flushing the daylights out of every Indian with his innings of 158 in 145 deliveries.
How can one have a relaxed cup of coffee in such a situation? And just when, everything seemed to be going English way, and the Indians were supposed pushed to the Thames, came out a sterling turnaround by none other than a Royal Challenger, Zaheer Khan. In one fiery spell, he removed Ian Bell and Strauss in two consecutive deliveries to turn things around for India. Beyond those, he also took care of another potentially dangerous batsman Paul Collingwood. Within a space of 3 overs and 8 runs, the niche statement about cricket became true again - its a game of glorious uncertainties.
Zaheer inspired the rest of the 10 Indians to become heroes in their own rights. Wickets started tumbling like nine pins. Only a couple of overs back, it was an Indian team which were standing on the field disgusted, frustrated lot - atleast by the looks on their faces. The same transpired into fiery units as one after the other English wickets fell. Indians now started to believe that the match was truly within their grasp. But amidst falling wickets, England kept on scoring the runs stealthily which everyone noticed when in the last over 14 runs separated the two teams.
Munaf then landed a dolly infront of English bowler Shahzad only to be whacked above the ropes which took England closer to the target. The rest of the target, they scampered and huffed to tally with the Indians and achieved a Tie for the team. The match switched its loyalty from one team to another by the hour initially and then by the over eventually. Both the teams matched eye to eye, bat to bat, ball to ball, over to over.
A match worth its stature in a World Cup. But for us, it was a special feeling to be proud. When India was down and out, it was all due to a Royal Challenger who brought India back to life. As in life, a Challenger is worth his red and gold - his blood and toil - to inspire the next.
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