Cricket - A way of life

The guns have gone silent, the empire’s in ruins and the heroes have been laid to rest.

As Indian cricket team undergoes another transition period, it does not go unnoticed. It’s not just a game but something more than that. It’s a way of life for many young fans out there. Last time India were forced into such a transition, it turned out to be a boon for it. Although the reasons may be different, change is imminent.

I was a young kid when it happened. Young enough to understand cricket but not match-fixing. Even today, I can’t understand how can one betray their nation, their sport and most importantly their team mates. The glorious battles at Sharjah are still vivid in my memory and so is the abyss to which the team had sunk after the scandal.

At this juncture, a young India had risen, almost as a phoenix from the ashes; a captain with attitude to win, to fight till the last inch, ready to take on the giants head on. And the team responded to its skipper’s call. A master with the bat who outshone everyone on the ground with his brilliance. A Wall that stood between the team and its defeats, built by sheer hard work and years of practice. A magician with wrists and wits that were always there when the team needed him to play some Very Very Special innings. A fierce competitor with heart of a lion and patience of a Jumbo who took down the enemy ranks.

They were all seasoned cricketers, fierce warriors with a common aim to build the team and win for it. But they needed some young legs to take their legacy forward and India found solace in the likes of Sehwag, a disciple of the master, Yuvi, the fierce fighter, the turbonator and the fiery Zak. They made sure that the legends’ work did not go in vain.

Day by day, brick by brick, the team was back; much stronger, more aggressive and the best part was that it believed in themselves. They changed everyone’s perspective of Indian cricket. We were no more lions at home alone, and we were no more the weaklings. We challenged the giants, took them head on and brought it down. What they did at Eden Gardens was a feat that changed the India’s fortunes forever. Suddenly, they found that they were strong, proud and confident. This new team taught us to be aggressive, strong and never to back down. The dream of winning the World Cup was nearly achieved, except for one bad day at Wanderers. Eventually, the fantasy being fulfilled 8 years later.

Now the change is back. New heroes shall be born, legends rewritten and tales worth telling produced. Can these youngsters carry on the legacy left for them and will they be ready to defend their title in 2015? Only time can answer this question. In the meanwhile, it’s a bit different for the older generation to see the scorecards without the names they have been following for years. But change is inevitable and everyone must move on. For all the people who feel that cricket is not just a game but a way of life, the game is ON!