Against all odds: India’s resurrection from the ashes
There are moments in life when everything feels bleak, as if all is lost and there's no hope. Only a few have the grit to push against the storm and achieve what seems impossible. On this English tour, the Indian cricket team embodied that spirit. In a dramatic finish, India edged out England by just six runs to draw the series 2-2, a result that few thought possible.
Kohli, Rohit and Ashwin had retired. India is set to be lead by Gill who himself is figuring out his career. Gambhir is yet to taste prominent success in test format after taking over, even got whitewashed by NZ in the own backyard. The team is majorly young and the bowlers are hardly tested in the English condition. The odds have never been more against Indian team. Against all odds, team India showed character and grit that they can fight and even win. The amount of resolve shown by this team since Day 1 when hardly anybody is remarkable. They continued to prove the doubters wrong since the first test.
I have been a staunch even to an extent delusional supporter of Indian cricket team over the years. The team has given me enough joys but there are wounds obtained overseas yet to be healed. The wounds have made me numb. Despite wanting the team to win, the logic and practicality occupied my mind that I couldn't even hope they can win. We got bowled out for 224. They started off in a blazing manner and I thought a huge lead is on the cards. Bowlers fought back and we got them down to 247. We scored well and set a target of 373 but again their batters continued to play shots and I lost hope very soon. Even today, when I switched on the stream, I didn't believe the team. I was hoping against the odds that in some or the other way, we see a miracle. India defeating them after being at 300-3 at one stage with just 74 runs required is truly a miracle but not done by the non-existent gods but by the team and the bowlers who pulled a rabbit out of the hat to snatch the victory after being down in the dump.
Gill in his first series as a captain in the high profile proved his mettle with 754 runs at 75.4 avg including a humongous double century. He was quite on the spot with bowling rotations and the field setups. He hardly showed any nerves while being on the face against the loud mouthed poms. The character to be continuously motivated irrespective of the situation and to be the bowler's captain, who listens to them keenly land provide the field they want, Gill passed the test with flying colors. My only grouse is he should have used spinners better.
Jadeja, KL and Pant carried the team with the bat while Siraj was at his absolute best with the ball leading the team in the absence of Bumrah. To come steaming in even after being on the field for 25 days and to bowl with full intensity, Siraj you got a fan in me. Jadeja had his best OS tour while KL scored the most runs as the opener in England. Pant proved why he is the most dangerous batter in the current era with his scintillating knock that didn't even require two legs. I have never been more proud of the Indian side than now. I have liked Washi since his RPS time in 2017. He has been a prodigy for far too long and finally he repaid the faith many kept on him. With a sound defense technique as his and the patience to grind for an hour and adding to the off spin efficiency, Washington is definitely going to be a vital cog for years to come.
Coming back to this test, it was incredible to say the least. After laying flattest of surfaces for 4 tests, Oval had the best pitch that had consist movement even till day 5. The pendulum kept tilting from one side to the other and every ball was an event. The tension was peaking with every ball hope of a non-existent victory, I live for days like these. And, when Siraj bowled that yorker and when the stumps broke, I understood what ecstasy w feel like.
Here's to hoping for many such close encounters that push me to the edge and India coming out top on all of them.
#INDvsENG
