Quick guide:
India’s Journey
It is a very proud feeling for every Indian fan today to see their teams in Finals. It was a well deserved one. From Australia to India, we have lived their journey of wins and losses. We have seen them fall, rise and win. We may have not entirely lived their experience but we can only imagine what it was like for them. As fans we have seen days of horror and days of pride. When we were 36/9 we thought finals was a far fetched dream. But Melbourne gave us a ray of hope, Sydney gave us belief and Brisbane (Gabba) gave us pride.
There was no way after that series that we would not see them in the finals. But the journey was not easy. Coming back home after a long series it was time to fight it out against a very strong team, England. Both of them were in the competition to reach the finals. We lost the first game but we believed. The belief that we had in our team, the players and the staff was more than before. We won clinically at Chennai and Ahmedabad.
It was time to put everything aside and do it one more time. The last fight to stay in the run. No we weren’t playing just against England, we were playing against Australia too who would have qualified if we lost. And as they say : The last over is yet to be played and anything can happen in the game of cricket!
The last over (test) was played. India won the series 3-1 and announced themselves in the WTC finals.
Fighting the odds
From Adelaide to Ahmedabad, the last few months were like a dream run. We saw the determination, passion, resilience, grit and above all, love for the game of cricket! While today we sing the song of glory and let the numbers do the talking, lets not forget the number of lessons they taught us and the fights they fought silently. The injuries, the expensive overs, the 0 runs, the missed chances, the fan’s criticism, media pressure and their own expectations. Everything had its role to play in this journey.
Their journey as a team and as individual players has been incredible. What better way to teach us about life than giving us a live example of it?
They taught us that success wont be coming to you easily, you have to work for it, fight against the odd, stand strong and face the challenges on the way. They taught us that we have the ability and the power to change the narratives in our lives and make way for ourselves. Team India will be hailed for its glories and we will hear them share their stories because its nothing less than a real life movie.
The fall
Every day is a new day and every time you step out you are in for a new challenge. The fall at Chennai was a good example of how sometimes in life, even if you have done your best, there will be a day when someone will challenge you and your best won’t be enough. They will challenge you to step out of your best and do better. They will be one up then you and outplay you. They will teach you the art of being humble even after success as every task is a new one and will demand different skills and mindset from you.
Moment: From creating history at Gabba to falling down at Chennai.
Rise after the fall
None of your failures define who you are. They tell you what you lack and what you still have to learn. They teach you the importance of strengthening your basics and perform better. The win after a loss if not glorified but understood tells us about how much you have to be aware in the process to see these failures and falls as a challenge and not an obstacle. Not see them as a burden but a lesson. You will rise only if you try to better yourself after failing and when you take a step to do that, you are almost close to victory!
Moment: Losing at Chennai to rising victorious in Chennai. Losing at Adelaide to winning at Melbourne.
You will be tested no matter what
It won’t be an easy road to success and its not just the skills that will get you there. You may be best in your field yet see days of failure. You will be tested and your weakness will stand right in front of you. Its on you whether you accept and improve or sit and stare back it and do nothing. You will shine like a star in the dark but for that, you have to pass the testing times and be better than who/what you are. You may be a beginner or a master, but you will be tested, no matter what.
Moment: The graph of Virat Kohli and Joe Root’s innings throughout the series
Belief is a game changer
Self-belief goes a long way in one’s success in life. It gives you confidence and strength to face the challenges and play to your potential. It is the reason behind being positive that you have what it takes to do your best. Axar Patel was a good example of this for me. In a debut series, doing something no one has done before is no joke! He mentioned about the role self-confidence and self-belief in his ability to give his best under any circumstances.
For me, the biggest lesson came in the human form, Axar Patel. He was indeed the game changer in the series. This doesn’t take away anything from other players and their contributions but what Axar has done stood out and spoke to me.
Moments: Axar’s 4 fifers, Pant’s 101, R. Ashwin’s exceptional spells, Sundar’s 96*, Rohit’s 161.
These are just some of the key thoughts and takeaways I had to share from the series and the game. We will now be facing New Zealand at the World Test Championship finals and I cannot wait to see what more they have to share and teach us!
Urvi Shah (Author, Beyond the Matches)
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