Walt Disney once said, “It’s kinda fun to do the impossible.” On Wednesday, at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Team India achieved something which looked pretty improbable if not downright impossible, when they embarked on their endeavour to overhaul Australia’s imposing 359.
The ‘Men in Blue’ had never ever chased down such a huge target, although other sides such as South Africa had done it before. Incidentally even then Australia was at the receiving end. That day, even 434 wasn’t enough. And probably it wouldn’t have been enough even today. Not with Virat Kohli getting the fastest ODI hundred ever by an Indian. Not with 39 balls and nine wickets to spare.
It wasn’t just the score they overtook; it was the manner in which they achieved their target. The young ‘Men in Blue’ played with extraordinary finesse and confidence. ‘T50’ never looked closer to T20. And in the end, the distance was bridged with ease — like a walk in the park. Australia was shell-shocked. George Bailey’s men had no answer to India’s overpowering batting. I think it was Mohammed Ali who first said, “Impossible is nothing.”
The Delhi boys, Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli, are on top of their game. Dhawan was truly the enforcer and the fire-starter; what a pity he missed his ton. And Kohli keeps raising his game every season. But it was Rohit Sharma who displayed maturity that seemed to be eluding him for so long in international cricket. Is that jigsaw finally falling into place? The punch in the air after getting his hundred didn’t reflect as much joy as exhalation of pent-up emotion. At times, both Kohli and Sharma seemed to be toying with the bowling.
But let us not get carried away. India’s bowling continues to be a worry. In the past two matches, we have given away over 650 runs. I am aware that the injury list is long but the truth is that back-ups like Ishant Sharma and Vinay Kumar are simply not good enough. They have their backers among the selectors though.
Let us also not forget that this was a flat batting track. Batting will not be as easy on the pacy and bouncy Australian wickets where 2015 ODI World Cup will be played. I am making this point only because captain MS Dhoni said the other day that Suresh Raina had been moved up to No. 4 keeping that tournament in mind. I don’t think that is the best of moves. Raina’s vulnerability against short-pitched bowling is well-known and he will be severely tested in that position Down Under. It is unfair on Yuvraj too.
Anyway, 2015 is far away. On the night let us just savour this sweet triumph. Dhoni and company, you have made us happy and proud. You are deserving world champions.
