Its not over until its over

 

"You just dropped the World Cup mate!" that is what Steve Waugh reportedly told Herschelle Gibbs and guess what, the Proteas lost the match and the Kangaroos went on to win the World Cup in 1999. I am sure most of us would recall that moment. Similarly it was Surya Kumar Yadav who literally the grabbed the World Cup, in what was a spectacular catch. It was a fitting finale for the Wall, Rahul Dravid as the coach of Team India and both Rohit and Virat.  The men in blue really worked as a team, if it was not for Virat Kohli, we wouldn't have reached this fighting total, as at 34 for 3 we were literally looking at the end of the barrel. It was Axar Patel whose 47 kept the score board ticking when Virat was consolidating. Even Shivam Dube came to the aid of the party and scored a brisk 27, so far Virat and Shivam had a forgettable outing in this world cup. Now it was left to the bowlers to deliver, who started off well with both Arshdeep and Bumrah sharing the spoils reducing the South Africans to 12 for 2. Then the tables turned, as de Kock and Stubbs built a partnership  till Axar bowled him as he got over ambitious. Spinners were not effective on this pitch was obvious, but the disdain with which Klaasen treated them was to be seen to be believed. He made them look like novices, hitting back to back sixes, scoring 24 off an Axar over, he had almost snatched the match from the Men in Blue. 

But Team India had Hardik and Rohit looked at his Vice Captain to deliver, Klaasen chased a wide ball into Pant's safe gloves and there appeared a slim chance to be able crawl our way back from that 30 off 30 balls with 4 wickets still in hand and Miller still at the crease. Then the miracle happened in the shape of Surya running and catching what would have otherwise been a six. The precision with which he grabbed the ball, tossed it in the air when he himself went out of the boundary and jumped in grabbing it again without as much as touching boundary line markers speaks volumes about the  athleticism  of today's cricketers. Thereafter it was left to Arshdeep and Hardik to ensure that the tail did not wag and that they managed in style, bringing home the coveted trophy after 17 years. Catches win matches, this one won us the Championship, almost everyone was reminded of Kapil Dev's catch of Vivian Richards in 1983 World Cup. It turned the tide for India when they managed to defend 183 against the formidable West Indians. I can still recall, as I was listening to the commentary of the match, it was near midnight and so disappointed at our batting I was almost in tears when I told my father that we had goofed up and there was no hope whatsoever. I still recall what he told me, "Son it's not over until it is actually over, don't lose hope." Last night too I was watching the match with him and the feelings were similar when Klaasen was hammering away at everything thrown at him. My father said we just need this wicket and it seemed as though Hardik heard him and the prayers of 140 billion Indians, rest as they say is history.