Winning in style

One for all, all for one

OMG! I never thought the West Indies would win in my lifetime, a friend tweeted. This sentiment was not an isolated one. I for one know a whole lot of people who were most pleased when the West Indies won the trophy last night.

There is something about the Caribbean that gets people off their feet. There is something that makes people love them. They have that swagger about them, that air of something that you can’t really define but you know is there; something that is well, West Indian.

After years and years and controversies and controversies, the West Indies fielded a full strength squad and the results are apparent for all to see. One can only imagine what would have been if all the contract problems had never existed.

Gayle, the force that guided them to the final, failed quite miserably in the final. When he did, Samuels took up the baton. He whacked Malinga as few, if any at all, had dared to whack him. For the first time, the mop-haired Sri Lankan was quite visibly flustered and you knew that something was wrong.

A modest total was put up on the board but when the Windies did walk out onto the field, there was a quiet determination on their faces. There was dancing and laughter and merriment at the fall of every wicket but beneath it all, it was apparent that there was a grim determination; that determination that has seldom been seen in a Windies side over the past decade or so.

The captain, Darren Sammy, led the way and proved how invaluable he is to the team, not just in keeping them in cohesion but also as a lower-order batsman and a more than useful bowler. Marlon Samuels has overcome his demons and it appears that he has finally put his head right and wants to justify his talent.

Chris Gayle, who is generally the most laid back of cricketers on the field and who looks, often, to only care about what he does on the field, took a most active part in team discussions and even reprised his role of captaincy by making changes to the field and geeing up everyone.

Ramdin was his perky self and Badree and Narain were their relatively understated selves to lend balance to the madness that was perpetrated by Gayle, Samuels, Bravo and the likes.

For once, everyone, it seems, was playing for each other. They were no longer a bunch of individuals; they were the West Indies. That was the best part of it.

The Windies have been the most entertaining team if this edition of the World T20 and hve hit more sixes than anyone. They bring that natural Caribbean flair that endears them to supporters from the world over. In truth, the Sri Lankan team was quite devastated but the Sri Lankan fans, though understandably distraught for their side were genuinely pleased for the Windies – the whole world is, really.

Is this the dawn of a new era in Windies cricket that will see them reclaiming lost glory? Or will this be a false dawn a la 2004? Only time will tell. One thing is for certain, though; when the West Indies do win, they win in style; right now it seems to be Gangnam Style.