In your face

I think thats the official term. As i write this Team India are a wicket away from scripting a glorious victory in Dakshin Afrika. To all the critics - this is as fitting a reply as any could be to those critics who wrote them off.

A south african cricket website apparently has a poll to predict the score line. It has the options 1-0; 2-0; 3-0 all in favour of SA. Again the technical term is "In your face"

Ofcourse this win has also meant that i am now the proud winner of a dairy milk chocolate. It pays to always bet on the Indian team. With their extremes - the odds will always be against them and in the long run you would always make more money.

But this article is not about the money. Its about a victory. Its about a victory which qualifies as a brilliant team effort. Its about a victory which had some brilliant individual moments. Its about a victory that had drama, comedy, suspense and twists and turns. Damnit! We have won our first match in SA. It is HUGE. As huge as it gets. Congratulations to the super performance.

I had mentioned earlier that we were probably just one good knock or match away from turning the tables. In this case - the fightback probably started when we lasted the full 50 in the final ODI and then going on to win the match v/s the Rest of Dakshin Afrika. The SA strategy of playing the Indians on bouncy fast bowler friendly pitches to ensure that the batsmen couldnt get in probably backfired with the bowlers gaining confidence. And which fool actually decides to underestimate an Indian batting lineup that includes Sachin, Rahul, Sehwag, Saurav and VVS? Really which fool does that ???

Apparently the South Africans did. What was immediately concluded as a feeble show on day1 when we were 156/5 was actually an exercise in application and patience by Sach, Rahul, Dada and VVS. But what really brought India back was 2 innings - one a fighting for life one by Dada and second - a more funny slam bam thank u ma'am by VRV. That knock had the whole dressing room laughing and in a positive mood. And it showed.

My moment of the match though has to be Sreesanths riposte to Nel. Singularly the most funny moment in cricket that I have seen to date. Again the technical term "In your face"

The Indian team was never bad - just out of form. When they do get back to form they can be devastating. The South Africans now know.

Let me end with the joke of the match. After day 1; Kallis "I dont think there is much wrong with the pitch, We are only disappointed that the bounce is a little less than usual. I think we will wrap them up tomm and put a huge score on the board and put them under pressure in the 2nd Inning"

Some big score. Some pressure!