Some say that statistics are cold and hard. Do not reveal the entire truth. However sometimes, statistics can express emotions and feelings which words just can't. When a certain moment comes, and you don't know what to say, sometimes the numbers just have to the talking.
0 - Virender Sehwag won't like this. A duck in the final of the World cup. But as Ravi Shastri aptly put it as Sehwag ran to collect the winner's medal even as he was calling out R.Ashwin's name, Sehwag had to open this particular post. The most entertaining and electrifying batsman in India, he played his part in a moment in the final i am not likely to forget - Forcing the umpire to lower his arm in order to reverse his no-ball decision when Sreesanth was bowling and the childish grin on his face afterwards. Typical Sehwag and symbolizes the way he bats. Happy -go-lucky and without a care in the world. Priceless moment.
1 (billion) - The population of India before the World cup began. 1 billion hopes. 1 billion aspirations. 1 billion prayers.
6 (87,92,96,99,03,07) - 6 world cups post 1983. 6 world cups of shattered hopes.
2 - 2nd April. The day when India won it's 2nd World Cup
27 (years) - My age
28 (years) - The agonizingly long wait
37 (years), 343 (days) - The age of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. We had to win it for this man. We owed it to him for what he has given to us. I need not add anything more.
31 (runs), 2 (wickets) - The Indian scorecard chasing 275. In a world cup final. Sehwag and Sachin back in the dressing room. That sinking feeling again which has happened in the previous 6 world cups. But...
83 (runs) - The Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli jugalbandi. Which steadied the innings. And made us believe that we will not crumble under pressure like all those years ago.
91 (runs) - of the most valuable, calm, cool, chanceless, under pressure runs I have seen a batsman accumulate in a long long time. M.S.Dhoni. I had my doubts when he came in ahead of Yuvraj. But, Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man! Respect.
362 (runs), 15 (wickets), 4 (Man of the Match awards) - Just a few months back, he was written off. Ridiculed for being overweight . Accused of lacking focus and motivation. His place in the team questioned. And then winning the Man of the Tournament award. Yuvraj Singh. Redemption.
1000 (times) - Goosebumps. Multiplied by 1000. The moment when Sachin was lifted on young shoulders and carried around the Wankhede. Unforgettable.
10000 (times) - Goosebumps. And a big lump in the throat. The moment when Virat Kohli made THE statement. "For 21 years, he has carried the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. It is time we carried him on ours."
1.2 (billion) - The population of India after the world cup ended post census. 1.2 billion hopes and aspirations fulfilled. 1.2 billion prayers answered.
Infinite - Joy. Happiness. Tears. Evident on the faces of millions as the party spilled over onto the streets of the country.
Statistics. Numbers. Cold and Hard. But sometimes they can indeed express more than words. When a certain moment comes. A moment like this. When India, a nation starved of sporting achievements, wins the Cricket World Cup.
Yes! We just did it!
0 - Virender Sehwag won't like this. A duck in the final of the World cup. But as Ravi Shastri aptly put it as Sehwag ran to collect the winner's medal even as he was calling out R.Ashwin's name, Sehwag had to open this particular post. The most entertaining and electrifying batsman in India, he played his part in a moment in the final i am not likely to forget - Forcing the umpire to lower his arm in order to reverse his no-ball decision when Sreesanth was bowling and the childish grin on his face afterwards. Typical Sehwag and symbolizes the way he bats. Happy -go-lucky and without a care in the world. Priceless moment.
1 (billion) - The population of India before the World cup began. 1 billion hopes. 1 billion aspirations. 1 billion prayers.
6 (87,92,96,99,03,07) - 6 world cups post 1983. 6 world cups of shattered hopes.
2 - 2nd April. The day when India won it's 2nd World Cup
27 (years) - My age
28 (years) - The agonizingly long wait
37 (years), 343 (days) - The age of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. We had to win it for this man. We owed it to him for what he has given to us. I need not add anything more.
31 (runs), 2 (wickets) - The Indian scorecard chasing 275. In a world cup final. Sehwag and Sachin back in the dressing room. That sinking feeling again which has happened in the previous 6 world cups. But...
83 (runs) - The Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli jugalbandi. Which steadied the innings. And made us believe that we will not crumble under pressure like all those years ago.
91 (runs) - of the most valuable, calm, cool, chanceless, under pressure runs I have seen a batsman accumulate in a long long time. M.S.Dhoni. I had my doubts when he came in ahead of Yuvraj. But, Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man! Respect.
362 (runs), 15 (wickets), 4 (Man of the Match awards) - Just a few months back, he was written off. Ridiculed for being overweight . Accused of lacking focus and motivation. His place in the team questioned. And then winning the Man of the Tournament award. Yuvraj Singh. Redemption.
1000 (times) - Goosebumps. Multiplied by 1000. The moment when Sachin was lifted on young shoulders and carried around the Wankhede. Unforgettable.
10000 (times) - Goosebumps. And a big lump in the throat. The moment when Virat Kohli made THE statement. "For 21 years, he has carried the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. It is time we carried him on ours."
1.2 (billion) - The population of India after the world cup ended post census. 1.2 billion hopes and aspirations fulfilled. 1.2 billion prayers answered.
Infinite - Joy. Happiness. Tears. Evident on the faces of millions as the party spilled over onto the streets of the country.
Statistics. Numbers. Cold and Hard. But sometimes they can indeed express more than words. When a certain moment comes. A moment like this. When India, a nation starved of sporting achievements, wins the Cricket World Cup.
Yes! We just did it!
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