#t20wc24

Bittersweet. That’s the word I had been using to describe the ODI World Cup 2023. I'd use the same to describe this T20 World Cup 2024 too. But for reasons that are poles apart.

Very few people would know and understand how much this win means to me. 19th November has done some irreparable damage, I’ve had breakdowns for months about this, wrote poems that’ll never see the light (or you’ll never know it was written about this), but most importantly, I had given up hope, completely. This one compares nothing to that world cup but this brought back the hope to me that life won’t be as good as I want it to be, but maybe it won’t be as bad as I thought it would be.

I’ve grown up. I turned 18 this month and I also had to begin saying goodbye to my hero. From defending Virat in classrooms, carrying his pictures in my bag to defending Virat on online platforms yesterday and having a poster of him in my room, I’ve come a long way with him as an idol. I know that he is going to play the other formats but this is the beginning of a series of goodbyes. I’m not ready for this. I don’t think I’ll ever be too. I love him beyond expression.

Rohit. I still do not get how people who like Virat do not like Rohit. How can you *not* like Rohit? Rohit had been one of the players I liked previously but when cricket came back to me after a few years, he came back to me stronger. Rohit started to mean so much to me especially after seeing him embrace his ‘Bhaiya’ role in the best way possible. I’ve written so much about him in the last few months, maybe more than I’ve ever written about Virat. I love him so much.

Jasprit Bumrah. The only God I believe in. The game changer. The point of difference. I could write an entire book about how amazing he is and that'll still be less. That man is the sole reason behind me starting to watch the bowling innings too. And now, I'll gladly admit that I enjoy the bowling innings more than the batting one. All because of one man, the man, the myth, the legend.

So many moments yesterday that brought me tears but nothing compares to seeing Hardik cry and talk about it all. I'm so proud to have never trolled that man for whatever has happened, it's a flex to say that I've defended him during that time. People put him through so much and I think he was the one of the people who deserved this win the most. He's a gem.

I could go on and write paras about every single one in this team. All of them are phenomenal and like Rohit and Rahul say, they played their roles exceptionally well. How Sky’s catch changed the winning probability, Arshdeep’s last over, Axar’s contribution with the bat, Kuldeep throughout the tournament. I couldn't be anymore grateful to this team for making this day possible.

It was an insane game. One of the greatest comebacks ever. I’m glad to have never stopped believing in this team. They’ve done what felt impossible at one point. This is a story I’ll tell people for generations to come. I feel so blessed to be supporting and cheering for a team like this and having the good fortune of having watched it live on a screen. I’ll never shut up about this. I’ve witnessed history.

This was my first world cup win ever since the time I started watching cricket. I still don’t think there was a specific someone who got me into cricket, this game just happened to me. And I’m so glad it did because I cannot imagine my life without cricket playing one of the biggest parts in it. Most of my best and worst memories are from watching cricket. If I had to divide my life into phases, it'd always be using cricket. Thank you Team India for all these memories. I will love you forever.

This one’s for my Tumblr people. I love each and every single one of you all so much. I was watching the match all alone in my room but yet I felt like I was celebrating with everyone else with all the live-blogging that we did. Celebrating with people is still a big dream for me as I always watch the matches alone and no one in my house really cares. But you guys made it possible, partially at least. I don’t think I’d have enjoyed the match as much as I did if not for you, my dear Tumblr mutuals. So, a big thank you to you too! <3

The Chokers of the Decade, But no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sooooo proud to be an Indian RN. After 17 Looooooonnnnnnnggggg years!!!

I want to congratulate all my fellow Indians AND the people worldwide (Cuz we are something of a blessing).

SOOOOOOOO PROOOOOUUUDD TODAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!

🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

HUM WORLD CUP JEET GYE

har baar apni half century ke liye match kharab karta hai

pure 45 ball rokke rakhe hai bc ne

piche 30 ball se toh ek boundary bhi nahi mari

1. Finally God finally after so much waiting crying and desperately hoping we won an ICC event. Finally our players will be bringing a trophy home 💙

2. Virat, Rohit and Jadeja retired ....yes it's sad but you know what? Good for them. I think retiring at the peak of your career with a trophy by your side is much better than being dropped from series then formats and then basically being forgotten. Take the example of bhuvi, Rahane, Pujara shikhar, etc. Even today their fans wish for a last match but we all know that's not going to happen. So before some rando selectors drop them and insult them... They decided to leave first. I applaud their decision.

3. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Reddy are debuting in 3 days for our series in Zimbabwe. Shubhman Gill will be captain. I do not like that decision. I think Sanju or maybe even Ruturaj should have been given captaincy. But it's the decision of selectors and coach...and ultimately gill is an Indian player and I will always support our players and team.

4. I am desperately waiting for the matches for Ranjhi Trophy 2024 - 2025 to start just to see Ishan play and re-enter the race. I will never blame him for leaving but God I wish he hadn't left.

5. If they don't make Gautam Gambhir our next coach in the Sri Lanka series I WILL THROW HANDS.