KITPLY CUP IN PAK’S KITTY

With 32 required off the final 2 overs, and with Ishant at the other end, Dhoni took his cap off. Suave and stylish, Dhoni was all set to hammer Afridi and that was exactly what happened off the first ball. A huge six at square leg meant, Pak was feeling the heat. The Indians were up on their feet. With just a little more than 4 sixes required, the Pak team came together. A long time before the next ball was bowled. Afridi pitched the next one up; Dhoni went for a huge heave through covers. The ball was sailing across, covering a long distance, but just a bit short off the boundary, straight into the hands of a fielder who accepted it with glee, only to dash the hopes of millions, who were hoping for a Dhoni miracle. India’s miserable run in the finals against Pak continued.

How often have predictions gone wrong? How often cricket experts are made to eat their words? Cricket is truly unpredictable, especially the shorter formats of the game. On a cloudy Saturday night, India, staunch favorites for the title, was rudely awakened from their dreams, by a wounded Pakistan. They were brought back to level 0 from cloud nine. A beleaguered Pakistan had the last laugh.

Pakistan won a crucial toss, the best start for any final. Their batsmen applied themselves and managed a dramatic show. But it was not all roses. The openers were made to look scratchy by the consistency of Praveen and the pace of Ishant. Praveen once again was miserly (this is becoming a cliché). But Irfan leaked runs at the other end while Chawla had a poor day at the office. Younis chose the perfect occasion to get his form back. Pak kept the wickets intact for the final onslaught and made it past the 3oo mark.




The chase had a nightmarish start for India, Viru fell before u can bat an eyelid. But Gambhir and Rohit flourished. But it was not India’s day as wicket after wicket fell, everyone making brisk convincing starts. Gambhir once again put up a great show, a pity that he did not qualify for the man of the series. Yuvi took to his role, like Bees to honey. Cracking boundaries at will, he kept the score board ticking first with Pathan and then with Raina. But he left when he was most wanted.

That meant a huge burden was now on the cool head of Dhoni. Dhoni and Irfan stuck it out trying to get as close to the target as possible hoping for a final assault. The duo succeeded in their first target but Pathan departed soon leaving Dhoni in a tight spot. Now only a miracle could save India and Dhoni was the perfect man for a fairy tale finish, which was not to be.


The final was an acid test for the Indian youngsters which exposed their temperament. The Indians will grow stronger with this experience. After all, the batting line up didn’t feature the best batsman in the world; still the Indians have made an impact. Changing times indeed!