Hello and welcome to The Narrative, a sister newspaper to The Times of India’s web show: The Narrative.
Watch the clip after yesterday’s match.
T20 World Cup Final: India vs South Africa Match Preview
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ended the innings in style
If you can face both victory and defeat and treat both betrayers the same.
Revolutionary lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem
If
These are etched above the Centre Court at Wimbledon and look great on occasions of both victory and defeat because the reaction of the individual is almost always the same in both. If someone had not watched the match or the score and only saw the scenes of bowed bodies and weeping heroes after the match, he would not have been able to guess whether India had won or suffered defeat once again. Based on recent history – or the scorecard five overs before the end of play – any Indian fan not knowing today’s score would have guessed the latter.
It was an extraordinary victory, not only because India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup – a remarkable achievement given the Heisenberg-like unpredictability of the genre – but also because of the avant-garde style in which the team played throughout the tournament, without fear or remorse.
The name of the island of Barbados comes from the Spanish language
Los Barbados,
Meaning “
Bearded”.
The bearded part could either mean the dangling roots of the fig trees, a species of banyan native to the island or the alleged bearded natives called the Kalinago who lived on the island. And it was Rohit Sharma’s bearded boys – building on a practical 76 Virat Kohli – who were victorious.
Despite its countless assets and the world’s most admired T20 tournament, which defied colonialism, India have failed to win the T20 World Cup ever since a fiery young man – with clean-shaven hair and whose team refused to bow in the face of adversity – changed course as he led a group of unorganised youths to their first ICC trophy since 1983. India added the ODI World Cup (2011) and the Champions Trophy (2013), but have won little since then. India always find themselves falling short at the final hurdle, as if a Parshuram-like curse has condemned them to Karna’s fate of failing at the moment of truth. At one point in the match, particularly when Heinrich Klaasen – perhaps the best player of spin in the world at the moment –
At the end of the 15th over, South Africa needed just 30 runs from 30 balls, a result that looked very much like Thanos’ victory in the last good Marvel Cinematic Universe film. It looked like it would be a tale of two 50s again. One came in 48 balls and the other in 23 balls.
But contrary to what Shakira sang at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it was not time for Africa, at least not yet. Because if the Avengers had Tony Stark, India had it Jasprit Bumrah,
At the end of the 15th over, India’s winning percentage had dropped to 3.35% and fans of different ages – those who have suffered through the nineties and early 200s and others who are shocked by the post-Dhoni era – were certain that India were going to lose again. They, like the South Africans, had not struggled for Jasprit Bumrah who can surely crack the source code like Neo. In the 16th over that he conceded just four runs, Bumrah’s presence forced batsmen to consider their life choices.
After Pandya edged Klaasen to Rishabh Pant in the 17th over to put him out of the game, Bumrah returned to strike fear in the hearts and minds of the Proteas with another superb delivery that went past Marco Jensen’s defence as if both teams were playing in white jerseys rather than coloured ones.
At that point, you could see the fear closing in, the web of uncertainty that haunts people when the final hurdle appears. Arshdeep bowled another nervous over before South Africa suddenly needed 16 runs to win from the last over. That looked possible, too, but Surya Kumar Yadav – a rare failure with the bat this tournament – took a catch from Big Miller that seemed impossible to comprehend even on replays, let alone repeat. Picking up the ball from the edge of the boundary, SRH threw the ball high and then caught it again after stepping into the boundary.
The final victory was a moment of joy for many members.
Coach Rahul Dravid got his Chak De moment in the same country where he had suffered a defeat in 2007 and it was particularly emotional for a great servant of the game who had spent so many years serving the Indian team. Cricket He played cricket with honour and selflessness but could never get his hands on the ICC trophy.
For Rohit Sharma, it was the culmination of a process that began in 2020, which saw the Indian team undergo a complete change in its DNA from being individualistic and seeking individual scores to accepting that they were part of a larger purpose.
Reiterating Plutarch’s analysis of Alexander in the pre-game show, Saba Karim highlighted Sharma’s leadership: “A true leader must be bold in action, cautious in thought and careful in advice. That’s what Rohit Sharma has done. That’s why this pairing of Rohit and Rahul is working so well. Rahul Dravid is someone who will always raise uncomfortable questions. Rohit as a captain has understood this, and at times, I am sure Rohit must have asked questions to Rahul Dravid. Both have asked each other questions in terms of decision-making, in terms of players, in terms of combinations.”
Vijay Dahiya said: “There has been no change in the Indian team since the Super 8s started. The Indian team has made no changes. There has been no change in the team till the final. Sometimes it happens that you are always looking for something different and you lose the beauty of being simple.”
The win meant Sharma had an 8-0 record as captain in T20 finals (six for Mumbai Indians and two for India). Meanwhile, Virat Kohli looked back and ensured India had a fighting score to defend for their bowlers. His innings also ensured that batsmen like Axar Patel or Shivam Dube kept batting at the other end. Kohli, who is omnipresent in T20 cricket, finally got his winner’s medal, even if it came at the last stage of his career. It was fitting that he bid farewell to T20I cricket in this manner.
Shot of the Day
Vijay Dahiya: The best shot of the day was Kohli announcing his retirement. Many congratulations to him for his wonderful and illustrious career. He has set the benchmark with his fitness, discipline and dedication. I have seen him very closely. He is a great example for us. The best shot of the day, I would say was the first over in which Virat Kohli set the template in the first over itself.
Saba Karim: I am sure that India’s plan was that if some wickets fell in the powerplay, then Virat Kohli should bat till the end. Axar Patel and Shivam Dubey did just that. In this case, India’s plan was absolutely right.
the turning point
Vijay Dahiya:
(Heinrich) Classen.
Saba Karim:
If Klaasen had scored even ten runs in that over, the match would have been over. Even Bumrah could not change India’s fate. And then the wicket of David Miller. Both of them were very important for Team India.
A word from Mr Wilde
Saba Karim summed up the mood and purpose of the show The Narrative with the words of Oscar Wilde: “Be yourself. Everything else is over. India created its own brand of cricket and stuck to it. And that is why India has been able to win this World Cup. This World Cup has paved the way for modern T20 batsmen because we have seen something special.”
And as Vijay Dahiya said: “It was very special to remain undefeated throughout the tournament. Whenever India were tested, be it Australia, England or Pakistan (India fought back). It was because of the cricket they played. We thoroughly enjoyed their performance, and they have set a very high standard right now. It is for people to follow. What they have done has given you the belief that it is achievable. And I am sure India will continue to dominate white-ball cricket.”
As Kipling concludes in his poem, if one holds out his patience, he may inherit the earth and everything in it. Indian fans will hope that this trophy is not just a one-off but the beginning of a new era where the team adds a few more trophies to their cabinet. Yesterday’s scenes, certainly make one believe that might be the case.
