Sunday 3rd April
Those who have good observation will notice that “24” should have been “28” because the last time India won a cricket world cup (Rightly named “The cup that counts”) is in the year 1983. However when history of Indian cricket was being written and new era was beginning in 1983, I was 7 years young and don’t remember anything about that world cup. However, that event triggered my never ending love for the game and started playing the Indian beautiful game “cricket” with my new bat, a present from my dad.
1987 Reliance World Cup, India, Pakistan
This was the first world cup for me. By the time this world cup event came I was quite familiar and follower of not only Indian cricket but of world cricket. In those internet-free, computer free days, I and my methodical elder brother made a big chart containing details of each match played in the world cup. First feeling of heart break came in the semifinals against England where English players swept india out of world cup contest.
My brother prophesied Srilanka will be world champions soon and I ridiculed him n Srilankan team only to be proven terribly wrong in later years. I started dreamed to be a cricketer and play for my country being unaware that the same dream occurring simultaneously among billions of young children like me.
1992 Benson and Hedges World Cup, Australia, New Zealand
Though I never stopped being a cricketer (I play whenever possible even today and will play till I am OUT!), due to certain circumstances my priority in life changed. Education became compulsive first and playing cricket took slightly lesser attention but the fire, the josh and the interest were still intact.
This world cup remained in my memory bank for two reasons. First, the colorful dresses, beautiful grounds, white ball, a new look world cup. All these I watched in my first color TV, again a gift from my mom n dad for getting first class in 10th std. Second reason, which later became a legend, is the entry of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, a young boy of same age as me thrashing the cricket ball around mesmerized me beyond anything imaginable.
This world cup is also memorable for the entry of a new cricketing “choker” n “unlucky” powerhouse “South Africa”. Though Indian team couldn’t do much in this world cup, still it is one of my favorite world cup.
1996 Wills World Cup, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
“What will you do to watch world cup? Let’s do a Sine die!” That was the revolutionary words told by my Engineering college leader and we agreed more out of love for cricket than the leadership skills of our leader. Though it was horrible feeling sitting idle for nearly 3 months at home in hot Indian summer, watching world cup was too much of a temptation.
There has been a constant scene observed during this period of Indian cricket, the team, whole country was dependent only on one guy, sachin tendulkar. Once sachin is OUT, switch off the TV and do anything except thinking about match.
The joyful feeling felt in the quarterfinal match against Pakistan converted into a nightmare in the semifinal against Srilanka and I was devasted not only at the loss but the way team india lost. After that loss I was sure that it will need a miracle for India to win a world cup ever as I thought 1996 was the best chance to win the cup. As prophesied many years earlier by my brother Srilanka became champions.
1999 ICC World Cup, England
I had hardly any hope for India winning or even entering the finals. But as a hardcore fan of cricket I supported with all my energy to the only team which I thought was well deserved but unlucky team “South Africa” under Cronje’s leadership.
As if India’s exit from this world cup has not done enough damage, the stunning blow came in the semifinal of Australia and South Africa’s “Tie” game. One of the most foolish and turning point moment in cricketing history I have witnesses in the TV room of my IIT Kanpur hostel along with 200 or so die hard cricket fans. Australia have won that world cup and started their cricket world dominance for 12 continuous years.
2003 ICC World Cup, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya
With the passing time, the cricketing playing teams matured, money increased many folds and next generation of cricketers have come up. There was a new generation coming up from my personal front too. This world cup is very very special for me not because India entered into this world cup final exceeding my expectations but the grand entry of my son “Ricky” into this beautiful world. While there were excited discussions about naming the new baby, I have decided on the eve of final match, to give my son the name of the player who will win the “man of the match” award. Unfortunately, India lost and Ricky Ponting won, but I loved the name “Ricky” (it’s a different matter I m the only one who call my son Ricky).
2007 ICC World Cup, West Indies
Undoubtly, the worst world cup event ever. From the start to finish everything went wrong. I even don’t remember any happy moment of this event except that my second son “Sunny” entered quietly into my world. No final “man of the match” naming ceremony this time, so I gave him the name of my past favorite player Sunil Gavaskar, Sunny.
Lets pass on to next one.
2011 ICC World Cup, India, Srilanka and Bangladesh
One significant development took place in last 2-3 years, no more switching off activity once sachin gets OUT. First time in many years, the Indian team understood the meaning of “TEAM”.
Though my heart and mind too said that India is the best team in this edition of world cup, I was wary of Australia and almost wished not to play them till Final. When I knew the quarterfinal is between India and Australia, I understood the winner will take the cup. After the win against Australia I felt confident for the first time after 1996 that the historic moment is not far. A good game against Pakistan in the semifinal boosted further my confidence and I was prepared for the Final.
On the D-day, most of the first innings I missed due to official work and unavailability of TV. As the second innings started and by the time I went near neighbour’s TV, both sehwag and sachin gone. Oh No! That old sinking feeling came back and memories of 1996 started haunting me. Still as the TV is not shut off after sachin’s departure and the confidence on this Indian team after defeating Australia was very high I continued watching along with some 30 odd supporters. The moment Dhoni hit Six and later on lifted the world cup along with sachin n team, everyone around me and everywhere in the world were dancing, celebrating. The first thing I did was to call my son “Ricky” and checked whether he watched the match or not. We both said congratulations to each other.
I quietly came back to my room, take out the photograph of my brother from my wallet, kissed it, said “We won!” and then slept peacefully after watching a cricket world cup final in 24 years.
* The views expressed in this article are entirely from my own experience...
Dr. Benu Madhab Gedam
M.Tech. IITK (1997-2000)
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