T-20 WORLD CUP : INDIAN MEN WIN ON WOMEN’s DAY

Talented and deserving Indian men won T-20 World Cup for the third or fourth time at 11 p.m. on 8th March, 2026. For the first time, it was second time in a row.

Kapil Dev led low profile team had scored victory over a tough, talented and much fancied West Indies when relatively boring and long Test version was cut short by four days. I remember having heard the commentary of two matches including the final over All India Radio as a student.

Unfortunately, the best batting performance of Kapil Dev with 175 runs against Zimbabwe was not recorded either on Radio or T.V. owing to some manpower issue on the ground. So one can feel that great inning or look at, if paper clipping is available.

M.S.Dhoni led team clinched the first T-20 World cup in 2007 and later the World Cup of one day cricket in 2011. He also won two more World level championships for India.

He truly led from front with his aggressive batting and superb captaincy. His cool mind, unassuming persona pointed decisions and utilisation of a non descript team mate in the dying moments of the game or more specifically last over, were unparalleled.

Even P.M. Modi felt at his retirement time that one should learn leadership quality from Dhoni. I would like to add Kapil Pa Jee also in this category. Both were simpleton with treasure of latent talent from small towns as opposed to brats of Delhiites or Mumbaikars or Calcuttans.

Rohit Sharma led T-20 team too became World champions in 2017 and 2023. His team’s loss to Australia in last finals, that too before a packed and emotionally charged crowd turned too painful. Even sympathies expressed by P.M. Modi right inside dressing room could not lift the spirits of the talented and favoured Indian team.

Surya Yadav & His Capable Team

Before the current Captain Surya K.Yadav, another unassuming person hailing from Maharastra, lifted the glittering Cup from Jay Shah, Head of ICC, star players, notably, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishen, Abhishek Sharma etc, by their hurricane & blistering batting and Bumrah, Varun Chakravarty and Axar Patel by their focused and economical bowling had done wonders for India.

Wizard in Bumrah and all round game turner in Hardik Pandya did yeoman service again.They struck when it was needed. Win by 96 runs in a World cup final is otherwise unthinkable.

Sanju Samson

Belonging to a lower class family from Tiruananthapuram who had to sit outside the ground in the final game at West Indies in 2023, did exceedingly well in last three matches scoring two approaching 90’s and 89 in 46 balls (five fours & eight sixes) in the final.Missing a century each time was painful for him but he did not slow down for the sake of the country.With his highest total of 321 runs, he deserved to be declared Man of the tournament.

Samson, captain of Rajasthan Royals is a hard hitting stylish batsman with calm leadership, impressive cover drives and effortless sixes. He, like Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishen is also bold, fearless and brimming with passion.

Son of a low income group father like many of his current team mates, such as, Pandya or Ishan, they mostly remain away from glare of club cricket. But in no time they prove that Indian cricket is no longer accessed to and dominated by the off springs of the elite or high income group individuals.

Ishan Kishen, Who Swung Back

Another star batsman Ishan Kishen justified his return to national team in a resounding manner after being out due to illness and other reasons for two long years. Once rusticated from school, he entered Ranji Trophy at a young age of 16 years and IPL at 19 years, playing for Gujarat Titans. For him, return to national team probably was a Roller Coaster ride through nuts and bolts of domestic cricket.

Expected High Voltage Final Became Low Key Affair

Reverting to suspense of the final, New Zealand team in view of their excellant track record of reaching the finals of many such tournameents, could have defeated India or could have come very close to it. But they went on surrendering meekly before Bumrah, Varun, Axar, Pandya and Arshdeep.They lost the battle much before they could prove their mettle. Loss by 96 runs in the final of a World Cup may have been one of the biggest margins ever. Incidently, the runners up had the services of two Indians.

Unfortunate Incidents On Tournament Eve

The tournament had uncalled for demands and protests by Bangldesh and later from Pakistan. While ICC did not agree to the viewpoint of former, Pakistan fell flat soon. Demoralized as thy are on such occasions, they played against India at a Sri Lankan venue and lost. Their further losses ensured their early exit from championship. Not to ignore, some of the small unfancied teams showed their worth. Surprisingly Afghanistan, a force to reckon with for many years now, did not do well.

If one talks of game changing events or moments of T-20, youngsters bring excitement, youthful energy and overall professionalism. IPL at present or Sharjah exhibitionism or Kerry Packer Circus Down Under (Australia) certainly had solid contributions to make as far as boosting financial condition of families of low profile cricketers we have now.

West Jealous of India

India faces sarcastic comments for resounding success of international matches in India and more particular, over a decade hosting of IPL. Once Indian players, to earn extra and fine tune their talent, had to go to England to play in the County or even lower level tournaments. Now players from all over the world inch towards India.It has truly become Mecca of World Cricket for over two decades.

Performance in nail biting matches is understandable in tune with similar or more craze or unwanted behaviour in Soccer or Rugby or Athletics. If you play with middle or low class background, you have the hard work, commitment and sacrifice with you but public display of emotions (PDE) on conclusion of a match is certainly NOT required.

Public Display of Emotions

PDE is neither decent, nor called for. Without adding words, behaviour by Girl friends of Pandya and Ishan and their unnecessary video coverage gave an impression that a film shoot was in progress.Two of them did not invade the field to congratulate or be party to celebrate, rather they ‘captured’ respective partners.

In the same stadium, there were three four other wives and children to display the requisite decency on such an occasion of national pride.

Change and Transition in Indian Cricket

This development as viewed from the perspective of Doordarshan is as under :

• Team is now bereft of a Superstar phenomenon. All young, talented players being equal partners, are taking over,

• The likes of Kapil Dev, Ganguli, M.S.Dhoni or Rohit Sharma were big poster boys. Now one sees worthy successors in a cut throat scenario, and

• Team coach rightly is visible and proving his mettle.

TO SUM UP

Surya Kumar Yadav, the deserving Captain has been nicely assessed by Ricky Ponting :

“People celebrate — some drink Champagne in their shoes – -some take off jerseys. But look at Surya Yadav. He rubbed the dirt from pitch on his face and showed the whole world his respect for Cricket.”

With a view to finally Conclude, one does not mind quoting the great Geoff Boycott of England from the Radio era :

“In India you have a lot of investment in emotions and game of Cricket”.

Why only Emotions, we have proved our Mettle otherwise also, Mr. Boycott ?

(The author is former Chief Secretary, Sikkim)