Glory brought to the shores

Neither Nationalism culminated in a day nor was fighting against the British the only mean to exercise it. In 1911, setting was in Bengal; Nationalist movement was on all time high after Khudiram’s martyrdom was causing ripples in the hearts of people. People were fed up by the vile British and with their way of governance. The unfair rules and regulations had started to take toll on the natives. Leaders like Gokhale and Tilak were able to inculcate and imbibe the roots of nationalist thinking in the heads and minds of people. Roots of rebel had been planted all over the country and were flowing like a stream. They were craving for change and something fresh was asked for.

Sport has always been one of the means to unite the segregated mass, it is a harmonious language which binds together everyone. In Bengal football had taken the same seat and it was becoming the undying passion. Somehow get a round ball and start hitting it. You need a field where the ball can roll and turn, hence a pretty inexpensive and popular means of entertainment. So football as a sport in Bengal became one of the foremost sports to be exercised. Football as they say is also one of the most violent sports. It has killed people more than any other sport has.

Now to juxtapose all the earlier discreet points together we head back to 1911 and glance towards the IFA shield. Mohun Bagan club of Kolkata had started plundering English clubs like rangers and Middlesex regiment. They stormed through the finals of the shield subsequently. The bare footed players were locking their horns with the mighty British. What eventually comprehended out was that in football they used to get the chance to hit the British and plunder them.

The very same emotions and feelings are arrested through the lens in the Bengali movie Egaro (The immortal eleven). It tells you the true saga of the eleven players who took the field in IFA shield final for Mohun Bagan against East Yorkshire. Caught immaculately through the lens of the cinematographer this movie is worth a watch. Well surely there are some melodramatic moments to magnify the effect of the movie, otherwise I felt the movie was flawless and was able to establish the crux of the subject. After seeing this I was kind of perplexed that how could no movie till date has been featured on this subject. Some may argue Lagaan was made on the same lines, but this football story is a true one.

This movie clearly depicts how the players had to face different kind of hardships. Most of them were deprived of any friends and family support because some of their folks thought it’s a risk which you bring to home if you take challenge with British while some of them did not see playing football a virtuous thing enough. Even some leaders of the nationalist movement foresaw football as a mere luxury and something which does not have a value of penny in the context of Nationalism.

Well eventually everything turned upside down as the match day progressed. People started taking this match as a mean and an opportunity to take revenge against the British. The footballers started to receive best wishes and compliments from all over the country. Media started to take note of this match. Shibdas Bhaduri (captian of the team) was hailed and talked about all and sundry. All had same mission that was to defeat British even the owners of other Indian club also started to hoot for Mohun Bagan.It became simple point blank fight between Indian resistance and English might.Government had to operate many more trains and buses before the match day, because people started to flock over to Calcutta from all parts of eastern India to see this much talked match. People as far as away from Benaras, Dhaka, Guwahati came to witness this historical event. As it happened Mohun Bagan was able to defeat East Yorkshire in a thrilling encounter.

Well this still looms large in the memory of all historians and soccer lovers; this thing has percolated down to our veins. This game was no lesser an effort to subsidize the british., these eleven were as sacred sons of soil as other revolutionaries were.

When red and blue started bleeding together

I thought I should capture these emotions as soon as possible after the Tango and Rumba of 2^nd april ended. My prolonged wait and agony has now ended, the always elusive trophy have been retained by us. Nation’s hope and trust was restored by this team following a dismal performance in the Caribbean four years ago. Dhoni has always been different; I had always felt that his serenity actually brings the pacifying tint to this pressurized and hyped game.

The Indian operation in this world cup has been nearly smooth and silky. This world cup truly marks the example of stars living up to their expectations and the other players filling the gap wherever needed. Tournament kicked off with Sehwag’s swashbuckling century against Bangladesh. India stumbled little in the middle of the tournament by conceding the tied match to England and losing the already captured match to SA. Then how they came back strongly by beating WIndies in group stages and defeating Aussies,Pakistan and SLankans in the knockouts for the WC glory. I would take this as peaking at the right time and hitting the iron when it was hottest.

Batting had clicked in the first two games, then I from the WIndies match bowling and fielding also rose and joined the Jamboree. Raina’s inclusion from the QFs brought sharpness to the field. Sachin scored most of the runs along with Mercurial Yuvraj with both bat and bowl leading the batting attack. I felt seam bowling has been of supreme quality as spin department was always expected to fare better on the Indian pitches. Zak ‘Scotch ‘Khan, as they say Zaheer is like a wine or scotch whisky.He is getting finer as he ages on. He has mastered the art of bowling with potent reverse swings, well directed bouncers and those compelling in swingers. With Munaf his close companion bowling well, even Nehra they ensured that Seam bowling pulls the right chords.

2007 had been a tragic performance, losing to Bangladesh in the opening match and they crashed out of the world cup. Even before we could settle in our seats to watch the world cup, we were out from this prestigious moment. Those were the times we felt very low and the most sorrowful moments. Bouncing back from that is an exemplary redemption.

A special mention must go to coach Gary Kirsten. He helped the team to phase out of the shoddy Greg Chappell era to the fresh air of this new breed of free flowing cricket. Now we have got good, confident young players backed up by ever supporting senior players. Job has not finished yet, the team needs to be invincible and champions in all terms and all sense. They must show the same domination in the upcoming tours of England and Australia.

Celebrations began on every nook and corner of India right after the match ended, with people coming out of their homes, bursting crackers, waving flags and dancing throughout the night.I imagine this cricket is not a game, its a religion, its a force that unites the nation.Well done India, I am going to cherish this moment for long and hope I get this feeling very soon again.