I remember a thought that had lurked excitedly and disturbingly inside me, before the India-Aus World Cup Final, 2003. Nay, it was a question rather. What would have I preferred, World Cup 2003 Win or then-impending Australia Test Series, 2003-04 Win. As if God were to grant my wish really, I kept answering myself back, Down Under ….. It showed where my priorities lay and how flushed I was with the golden run of the team that World Cup had just become an add-on. I was enthused with the prospect of a golden-run of the Indian team in the near future. Alas! It didn’t happen; India lost the final and missed the golden opportunity to win the series in Australia next year.
The flashback was played yet again, before the World Cup final last year. And my answer remained the same, though it took longer, owing to the declined awe of Australian power and air-brushed euphoria of World Cup played at home. So, when India won the World Cup in heroic style, I beamed that the destiny might be completed this time, considering the portents are good. Then England happened …. It was consoled to be an unfortunate (injury-ridden) and momentary (World Cup win infused lethargy) incident.
The start of Australian tour thus was not just anticipated with excitement but sense of fulfillment . The repeated columns on how the current tour will be a nirvana for the much-vaunted trio of Indian middle-order batsmen added an also-truth to that. I hurriedly bought a Sony LED TV and Airtel Connection to soak in those early-morning quilt-laden rubbed-eyes moments of viewership of lush-green Australian grounds being stoked by our batsmen and bowlers.
The initial worry was the fitness of the bowlers. Post 10 days now after the Sydney test, how this discussion point has evaporated faster than camphor. In fact, the whole discussion is down and dusted now. If at all there is any, it is about avoiding a whitewash. Pity …. A big pity …. Dreams have to wait now …. perhaps there are no dreams either.
