From here...another journey begins

After completing yet another historical and overwhelming and all that emotion ridden match, which also happened to be a world cup final, where does not just Team India, but Indian cricket walk from here...For one, it is definitely walking towards something new as the battle of the wicketkeepers has been won by India.

But after that, I wonder how will Team India grow forward and grow up...how will it evolve now? With it becoming very clear that India has grown beyond Sachin Tendulkar. We've been very fortunate to have such a genius born on this land, whom we can call our countryman, whom we can proudly call an Indian. Truly the God of cricket. But Gods too retire. They too leave the field so that more Sachins (Say Virat) can come after them and keep the game alive and beautiful.

This World Cup made it very clear how much the team has evovled. The various matches in the knock-out stage has proved that we have what it takes - SELF BELIEF.

Yuvraj, Dhoni, Gambhir, Sehwag and Zaks (Khan) are the pillars that need to stand strong now for the next challenge.

Global Domination

They have to do it with the help of the young brigade. Virat needs a bit more polishing and Raina is almost there. One cannot deny the toll the good life takes on the young superstars, which is what the BCCI needs to be careful of, apart from the other  external forces that dirty the game.

India clearly need to take their bowling seriosuly now, for there aren't too many great Indian batsmen left to deter the opponents. A fierce bowling line-up cannot be avoided anymore. Zaheer would not stand for long. We need a successor for Bhajji as well. Others need to be found and nurtured.This will be a great challenge

The IPL throws up many talented boys who've made it so far. It's for the seniors and authorities to take it up from there on and train the young lads into heroes to be worshipped by this crazy nation and keep the blue blood flowing! The challenge lies in organising the growth of the game. There is no dearth of talent. There is no dearth of sincerity. There are too many young boys that bleed blue and carry immense talent in them. We just need to make sure they are not lost.

Cricket is too special for this nation. It is the one thing that we swear by, the one thing we talk about at random places (even in the bathrooms!), the one thing that this nation eats, sleeps, breathes and bleeds. It cannot be allowed to be lost or fade into average-ness. It is the force of the nation and will remain so.

I will write a mail to Gary tommorrow....thanks..folks signing off....and time to start walking again after landing tonight.

PS: Sanga...the toss trick dint work finally... ;)

Once more....I have to Blurp, this time loudly.

Clearly one of the most important events in the history of the two nations, as well as cricket, and world cricket, and world cup cricket. Never has anything, probably except war, seen two complete nations rise to such frenzied fanaticism as an India-Pakistan face off in cricket world cup. With a prologue spanning a few days, a few too many media stories, war and 'jung' metaphors, historical analyses of all the matches India and Pakistan have played against each other, a few too many songs and war calls, this match had taken alarming proportions. Even the heavens (Lord Indra having a ball) poured out their emotions on this overwhelming encounter.

And what a match it was. Although the performances of the nations did not live up to the fierce top-most level of the game, being interspersed a little too frequently with mishaps and errs and fumbles, it did gather the excitement and madness that a world cup semi-final does, perhaps even more.

The 260 for 9 that India gathered up by batting first -- a big advantage gained in a game where batting first was crucial on the batting-friendly pitch -- proved gettable by Pakistan, but except for some misfielding and Umar Gul, they could have surely made it. The way Sachin was dropped or had a life (6 times, hope 3 times against SL now), seemed shocking. Majerakar commented that ‘someone out there wants him in the field’, I smiled and tweeted then (clarkprasad) that not out there, but ‘UP THERE’. 1.2 billion (minus a few) was behind him and they can’t go wrong.

After a promising start, the Pakistani team crumbled consistently after every few overs. Umar Akmal emerged as a batsman for the future for Pakistan and Wahab Riaz proved he wll carry forward the legacy of the lethal Pakistani bowlers, with sending 5 Indians back to the pavilion yesterday, the worst damage being done to Yuvraj Singh. In fact the way Yuvi and Bhaji were shouting after the wickets it looked nothing short of a gladiator getting his kill. Killer adrenaline stuff!!!!

One thing that deserves mention in a game like this is the discipline. With emotions at their highest, it is also a battle of nerves for the men on the field. India and Pakistan displayed thorough professionalism, with no part of the game ever falling prey to any form of disrespect or tension beyond performance. While 92, had the Javed Miandad jump; 96, had Mr. Aamer Sohail acting like traffic signal warden (hand direction) after Jadega smothered the Pakistani earlier; 99 was in the background of Kargil; and 03, Sachin’s six of Muhphira Akhtar followed a carnage; this time I felt Sehwag assault of Umar Gul send Pakistan scurring for cover. Umar must have forgotten his age…Umar Gul J

The surprising words of congratulations from Shahid Afridi to the Indian team was a first I have heard from a Pakistani captain and sealed the fact that something is changing. Was he given instructions to act as a proper goodwill observer by certain forces or is Pakistan changing for the correct sense.

What ever it is the relationship between these two nations share is too special and unique in the history of the world. Pakistanis will still remain our brothers, long lost or like Cain Abel (disclaimer: who represent who…I am passing no comment on it or have a view on it); this time will decide. Whenever we happen to meet them on a foreign land and anecdotes of the past and partition will always be shared over coffee or beer (away from the media for some Pakistanis maybe) with them...and things will still go crazy when there's another match.

As for me…got to take a large draught of anta-acids due to huge ingestion of junk food in my stomach.

This footage is exclusive property of ten sports.....SAYS WHO?????