Free Hit!

Long-off, Long-0ff, LONG OFF!

Dear Indian Cricket Team,

My journey with cricket began in 2016. Since then, I have been captivated by tales of India's legendary victories: the 2011 World Cup, the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and, of course, the iconic 1983 World Cup win. Yet, I wasn't there to experience the joy of watching my team lift those trophies. Instead, I've been a fan during some of the most challenging times for Indian cricket.

Since 2016, I've endured the heartbreaks of the 2016 T20 World Cup loss, the 2017 Champions Trophy defeat, the 2019 World Cup semi-final exit, the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final loss, the World Test Championship final disappointment, and the agonizing 2023 World Cup final. Each defeat has been a bitter pill to swallow, making India's dominance in bilateral series all the more frustrating. I even wrote about the Indian cricket woes last year, expressing the feeling of burnout due to the dearth of trophies and the excruciating dry run.

You might think this shouldn't matter, right? It doesn't make sense from a daily life standpoint. We all have our to-do lists and responsibilities, our exams, assignments, and jobs to focus on. Yet, 11 men playing across the globe command all my attention. I cannot look away. Despite everything else demanding my time and energy, I find myself constantly drawn back to the game. Whether it's the anticipation before a big match or the thrill of a close finish, cricket has a way of captivating me like nothing else. It affects my mood and rules my emotions, holding more power over me than I would ever willingly give to anyone.

My relationship with Indian cricket has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I wrote about my woes regarding Indian cricket exactly a year ago in Stumped!, out of sheer frustration and the feeling of burnout from watching a team I love so deeply fail to clinch the big titles.

Stumped!

It was a year marked by high hopes and crushing disappointments. Each tournament brought renewed hope, but also the familiar fear of another heart-wrenching loss. Yet, despite the repeated setbacks, my passion for the game never wavered. Every victory, no matter how small, rekindled the flame of hope. Every defeat, no matter how crushing, only deepened my resolve. Cricket had become more than just a game to me; it was a source of unending emotional investment.

The 2023 World Cup, in particular, was a significant emotional event. The hopes were sky-high, and with every match, they seemed to soar even higher, only to come crashing down with a devastating loss. The pain of that defeat was so overwhelming that I couldn't even bring myself to write about it. The heartbreak was too fresh, too raw, and the disappointment too profound to put into words. I thought this time would be no different.

The last five overs of the T20 World Cup Final were some of the most anxiety-inducing moments I've experienced. I could barely watch it. When South Africa needed 27 runs in 28 balls, it seemed like a lost cause. Everyone went numb, shoulders dropped, smiles disappeared, and the atmosphere became tense. I didn't want to believe it was slipping away again. Were we about to lose three finals in 12 months? The thought was unbearable. I shut down the Hotstar tab, unable to watch them lose again. Flashbacks of that fateful night against Australia haunted me. I never allowed myself too much hope, and even that was lost. A part of my heart shattered.

Then came the comeback. Nothing will top this. As I had given up, the screams across my neighbourhood will be etched in memory forever. I was stunned trying to understand and realise that these were not groans or disappointment but something I didn’t expect to hear. Hope. As I jumped up to reopen the tab, I saw a replay of Suryakumar Yadav's incredible catch, I knew I would remember it for the rest of my life.

I cried after the win, multiple times. It took me a while to register what had happened. I can't tell you how I randomly started smiling just thinking about it days later, gushing over that moment never wanting to let it go. I have rewatched the game countless times already and discussed it even more.

Cricket evokes a unique fervour in me, a rush of adrenaline and patriotism I never expected to feel. Despite the heartbreaks, my love for the game has only deepened, bringing immense joy and excitement at every level. I am so emotionally charged by this one sport that it often confuses me. Before I realize it, I start an impassioned monologue or dive into a debate about a decision or possibility. I will never understand how cricket managed to grab me so intensely.

One of the most beautiful sights of the entire game was watching these professional men emote and celebrate joyfully. I will always remember the pure joy and tears streaming down my face alone in my room, beside where my Rohit Sharma poster used to be, watching him crumble on the floor.

Rohit Sharma has been my favourite player since the beginning of my cricket journey. During my peak fangirl phase, his posters adorned my walls, and my phone cover bore his image. Although I've moved past those days, my love for him hasn't diminished. The 2024 T20 World Cup victory brought back all the emotional baggage to the forefront. Watching Rohit Sharma, whom I always envisioned as captain, lift the cup felt intensely personal. After years of heartbreak, it was a moment of pure relief and elation. I will remember his hug with Virat Kohli as they said goodbye to this format on such a high note. It was all too much for me, I cried some more. Not just at the moment but as this kickstarts the retirements, the start of a long, bittersweet goodbye to these players we've grown so attached to. These players have been the heart and soul of many, giving us hope and joy. I'm not ready to say goodbye.

So, what’s next? I can now say it with more hope and optimism. With Rahul Dravid's tenure as coach ending on a high note, securing this remarkable title, we are poised to enter a new phase of Indian cricket. This victory feels like a pivotal moment, a fresh start that promises renewed vigour and determination. As Gautam Gambhir takes over the reins, I am rejuvenated and excited, though cautiously optimistic, about what lies ahead. Gambhir’s leadership brings a different flavour, one that might just be the catalyst for the change we've all been yearning for.

The Grade Cricketer, a cricket podcast channel, recently highlighted an essential perspective that resonates deeply with me:

I hope India realizes that it isn’t just a team of champions but a champion team.

thegradecricketer

A post shared by @thegradecricketer

As I mentioned in my post a year ago, we harboured legacy players whose individual talents have brought us moments of glory but eventually led to even more frustration as we fell short. Even in our recent triumph, champions like Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli played pivotal roles, their brilliance shining through in critical moments.

Yet, what truly set this victory apart was the cohesion, the unity, and the collective effort of the entire team. It wasn't just the individual heroics that clinched the title; it was the champion team that made the difference, Shivam Dube’s underrated contribution, Arshdeep Singh’s brave bowling, and SKY’s catch. Each player, whether a seasoned veteran or a rising star, contributed to the success in a unique way.

If this is the direction India is heading, I see great hope. Maybe this was the final key to unlocking India's true potential.

Let’s hope they take free-hit, a chance without limitation and not run themselves out. Rather like Virat Kohli in India vs Pakistan in 2022 calling out the no-ball, take the free hit, and run despite being stumped, to victory!

From Stumped! to Free Hit! in one year. That’s sport for you!

Gratefully,

Happy and Hopeful fan!