As I write this, I realize that I only have 15 minutes of free time. I had this topic in mind since yesterday, but my time commitments wont allow me to write a match report. But the emotions I felt on that day are something I will never forget.
On this day 17 years ago, India beat Pakistan in the finals of the inaugural T20 World Cup to lift the trophy. This was India’s first world cup trophy since that famous win of 1983.
The mood around the nation was one of joy and celebration, a sharp contrast from just a few months earlier as India crashed out in the group stages of ODI World Cup.
On September 24th, 2007, Indians fell head over heels in love with T20 cricket, after two intense weeks of romance. From the bowl out in the group stages to Yuvraj lighting the England bowling on fire with six sixes in six balls, that tournament gave us so many memorable moments.
The final catch taken of Misbah-Ul-Haq by Sreeshant is still a moment of legend among fans.
This was the catalyst moment for T20 cricket, something which BCCI had been resistant in adopting. Senior players even opted out of the tournament thinking it was not that important. India was one of the late adopters of T20, but later turned out to be its greatest advocate.
The success in the T20 world cup inspired the creation of the short lived ICL before IPL made its mark in 2008. Since then IPL has taken the world of sports by storm, becoming the 4th most valuable league in the world.
It also led to the dominance by BCCI of international cricket, so much so that the birthplace of cricket, UK is bitter about it.
So what is the lesson in for India?
Indians are looking for validation. We are hungry for success. We are striving for excellence but also have a fear of failure. Be it sports, or any field, the country needs that one success story which inspires others to pick up the activity.
So the question is will you inspire or be inspired? Either ways, the only way is up. Following the path set by others might be the smart thing to do. One day somebody will walk the path which you have widened. And so on…and on.
This is secret behind every civilization and great empires!
