Why do we follow sports?

Cricket is not just a game. It's more than that, at least for me.

I started cricket by the time Dhoni became captain and we won 3 trophies in 6 years and we were becoming unbeatable. But then the curse started with 2014 T20 WC final. Year after year, we kept getting knocked out in worst way possible after bossing league stages. I had deluded hope on this team until 2022 semis. It was a brutal loss to digest. I told I'll not keep my hopes again for 2023 ODI WC. We won 9 straight games and I really thought the curse could end. But not to be, Nov 19 still hurts.

I didn't have any hope when this T20 WC started. But, it's very hard to not back the players. We kept winning and we reached another final. Shamefully, I was backing them again and hoping curse could ended.

Kohli started the innings with 3 boundaries in the first over. Yet, we were under the pump again with 3 quick wickets in PP. I was lost for words to curse Pant and SKY. Axar came in and played with positive intent. He has been the silent performer for the team. The over against Pakistan, the catch against Australia and the bowling against England, he came clutch again today with the bat. The vital 47 runs off 30 odd balls.

When he fell to an unfortunate runout, Dube came in. A player who has had a forgettable tour thus far. He couldn't time the ball as he wished to but he threw the bat at everything and gladly he scored 27(15). Finally, Kohli redeemed his innings from becoming another 2014 Yuvraj knock and a little impetus as we ended up with 176.

I couldn't make anything out of this innings. We were mostly under the pump barring the Axar onslaught for a couple of overs. I felt enough but so it did in 2022 semis.

Bumrah and Arshdeep gave the perfect start with two back to back wickets. But the dream didn't last long as Stubbs and QDK came with a positive attack. Scoring atleast a boundary every over. When both got out, it was Klaasen at the crease.

Klaasen is the best T20 player in the world. The way he gets into position and launches those sixes, it's incredibly tough and he's bossing it around the world. After the Axar over where Klaasen mauled him for 24 runs, I had given up hope.

30 off 30, looked tough even for Bumrah standards. But, I had underestimated the greatness of Bumrah. He bowled a perfect over. Followed by a clutch max over from Hardik to remove Klaasen.

22 off 18, Miller and Jansen at the crease. Jansen played the best possible cricket he can. He didn't play any rash shots. He defended even but when Bumrah is being Bumrah, even the defence won't be suffice. Bumrah broke through the defence and we were roaring back into the game.

Arshdeep bowled the penultimate over. He showed so much promise when he came up to the national colours a couple of years ago. Today he satisfied those called with his superb over where he kept Miller away from the crease and scored dots against Maharaj.

Final over, 16 off 6. Hardik has already pulled off such overs against Bangladesh in 2016. Can he repeat? Will this be the redemption that he was hoping for. And, it did. Thanks to superhuman effort from SKY to hold onto the catch. All his sins from Nov 19 and today where he failed with the bat were absolved. The danger man Miller is gone and the trophy was coming nearer. Just needed to get through the bowlers and we did get through them unscathed.

The curse was broken and an absolute joy enthralled us. It has been a tough 11 years. To come close and to lose every time, it would have been cruel had we lost today but gladly we won.

Rohit the captain who changed the mindset marched us to the finals with his stellar knock. Kohli, the one player who showed up when no one did got his final feather to his crown. Bumrah, whose greatness was questioned proved why he's just the best in the world. Hardik, the redemption that he was hoping for after the torrid IPL was received.

This win is special. Not just for ending the draught but for giving the perfect goodbye to the two of the best for the nation over the last few decades, Rohit and Kohli.

I do feel sorry for South Africa. There are a lot of likeable players and it's not like they played bad cricket. It's just Bumrah happened. Better luck next time, fellas!

Summing it up, for every November 19, there exists a July 29. Afterall, this is why we follow the sport. To go through the lows in the hope of this euphoric unmatchable high.

To many more of it in the years to come!

#T20WorldCup