Funny how life is. T20 World Cup 2024, which took place in US and West Indies, was the one that I didn't watch from starting to finish. Had no hopes, no expectations and didn't even think that the Indian Team will be winning the World Cup.
Let's start from the beginning. The Team selection of World Cup brought a lot of questions. Rinku Singh who had a better average than many was not included. My Favourite KL Rahul was not included. People like Suraya Kumar Yadav who failed to perform in previous knockouts was selected. (okay, last one might be my dislike towards him, but yeah.) so with this team, I was bracing my self for another heartbreak.
To be very honest, I had complete confidence in team India to qualify for Super 8 and at the most join the Sem Finalists. After that I had braced for another moment to edit on Khada Hoon Aaj Bhi Wahi (Someone playing this song is enough to make me depressed now. Can someone ban it)
Bangladesh (Warmup) and Ireland matches were something that I didn't watch but knew that India will be winning those easily. And that was proven true as well.
Coming to match against Pakistan. My God!!!! A small target of 120, and out batters failing to even score beyond 50 (Rishab Pant was the sole reason for extra anxiety that night, I mean kaha se kya mar raha hai voh?) I fully expected India to lose that match. I Switched off my TV, and slept. Woke up to the equation of 35 runs needed of 24 balls. Had zero expectations but was waiting for some miracle to happen. That's what happened. Hardik Pandya, Bumrah and Arshdeep with a cameo from Siraj managed to pull off the impossible. Not to forget those catches by Rishab Pant. Hamare liye Spidey tho yahi rahega. Uff!!! What a match. Didn't feel the moday blues the next day, but yeah had huge ass dark circles under my eyes.
India Vs USA and India Vs Afghanistan are the matches that I was only be able to check the scorecard off. Both the matches it was Surya Kumar Yadav who was the highest run scorer, and I missed both. Believe me it wasn't intentional.
Before India Vs Australia, Afghanistan Vs Australia was actually a brilliant match. The Maxwell's 50 had started to give flashbacks to previous year's match but his wicket and subsequent wickets were like a soothing balm. Their celebrations had me grinning like a mad loon for the entire Sunday.
Monday was spent waiting for 8 pm. And though others performed well, it was Rohit Sharma who stole the show. 92 off 41 balls, my God. It was like he was punishing them and it was brilliant. Anyone else loved those hits to Starc and Cummins? Best moments of the match. The best.
Coming to bowling department. They didn't fail to give us trauma with Travis Head's performance, but that catch from Rohit felt like I could breathe again. After him it was sure short that India would win.
Afghanistan Vs Bangladesh felt like cinema. Was in college that day and my cousin was sending me scores, will regret not watching that match live, but what to do, weird ass timings of matches meant missing out on more than half the matches.
Coming to semi-finals, Afghanistan losing to South Africa that brutally was unexpected. This match ended even before I had to leave home for college.
Evening I was glued to the screen, and though I was dreading a loss like in 2022 Semi Finals, I had hoped that we would win.
Rohit, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya with a few cameos had managed to post a total of 171 against England. Our bowlers were brilliant. They didn't let anyone set for too long and managed to bowl out England. From winning 172 for no loss, to getting bowled out for 103 runs, our bowlers have come a long way.
Coming to Final. Against a Yellow Jersey team. On 29th June 2024, with a winning streak, felt like a bad thing waiting to happen.
Had to miss out on the toss and first over, and thought of not watching it at one point, but glad that my brother called me back. I was a mess that night, didn't move, didn't speak, didn't even enjoy the pizza that we had ordered.
