Melbourne SKYline glows as India enters semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup
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Surya Kumar Yadav India
It certainly was not sunrise time in Melbourne. In fact, it was sunlight changing to full floodlight time. In such conditions, the lux intensity of SKY — Surya Kumar Yadav — was much more than that of what the huge towers could beam upon the famous MCG as the Sun God of Indian cricket shone. SKY played a knock that bordered on 350 degrees hitting to perfection as India clinched the top spot in the Pool to enter the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday.
From dawn to dusk, this was a day filled with cricketing action. For those battling early morning anxiety, as to what would happen to India against Zimbabwe, the deal had already been done. Once the Netherlands knocked the stuffing out of eternal chokers South Africa in a crucial league match, it had been sealed for India. Even if India had lost to Zimbabwe, they would have been through to the last four.
No, what was important for India was to top the Pool where SKY (61 runs, six fours, and four sixes) and opener KL Rahul lit up proceedings with knocks that were effulgent and radiant. The score of 186 in 20 overs was just too big for Zimbabwe to chase.
To be sure, this was a happy Sunday, almost reminiscent of how joyful it was when India beat Pakistan in the league match, one day before Diwali. Well, the fireworks have not stopped since then. SKY remains the brightest spot, making us all wonder how his debut in international cricket was delayed till 2021. Perhaps, he needed to prove himself first in club cricket of the highest order — the IPL — and then ascend the big stage.
The way SKY has batted, people are astonished at his innovation, conjuring up shots from angles that would do a geometry student proud. He has the capacity, capability, and calm to pulverize the bowling, which has made him as fearful as AB de Villiers, the pioneer of 360-degree batting. There have been many big hitters before like Viv Richards, Chris Gayle, Viru Sehwag, and even Sachin Tendulkar.
It required the autumn season of Australia for SKY to blossom like a spring rose in full bloom. Today, he has the world at his feet. Surya Kumar Yadav’s demolition act has been savage and the way he is batting, amassing records, and killing the bowlers, he is becoming so exciting to watch, you need to pop a pill to calm down. Such batting borders on audacity and yet has the cleanness of what coaches would marvel at. This is just the beginning, sunrise, so to say. More will come from SKY, though to expect him to score in every match would be absurd.
India will face England in the last four and Pakistan will square off against New Zealand as the business end of the World Cup climaxes
Sunday was a day of upsets. Even before SKY was dominating the Melbourne skyline and birds were chirping at the nearby, famous, Rod Laver Tennis arena, the Netherlands showed pluck, poise, and perfection to rock South Africa. It was a match that had the world glued to TV sets across various time zones. South Africa is the eternal choker.
Yet, for them to come a cropper against the Dutch was awful. Was it pressure or just butterflies in the stomach? It was a combination of factors as the Dutch bowlers — Fred Klaasen, Brandon Glover, and Ba de Lee were firing on all cylinders. The pace and more variety were the flavors as they rocked the SA batting with accuracy and preying on their minds.
For SA to be bundled out for 145, chasing 158, was a very poor effort. Was this the same SA side that had bounced out of India? Was this the same SA side being hyped as title winners? They have the pedigree but do not have the performance degree to win big matches. That has been proved over and over again.
The Dutch are known for being great athletes. In football, they have produced legends like Johan Cryuff, Rijkaard, and Marco Van Basten. Likewise, in hockey, they had one of the all-time best penalty corner experts in Floris Jan Bovelander, who is well known to Indians. Then again, in the swimming pool, the Dutch have produced top-class athletes like Inge de Bruijn and Pieter van den Hooge. Cricket is a fairly new sport to their nation and they are already lapping it up.
The Dutch have taken cricket seriously and the T20 format is such, a team with a good skill set and athleticism can cause damage. From here till the next ICC T20 World Cup in 2024, they can grow stronger. They have plenty to celebrate, already.
In between, these two matches, Pakistan also bounced back to life, albeit a bit shakily against Bangladesh to barge into the last four. Pakistan making the semis was impossible, one thought. Yet, the way they competed against bitter rivals Bangladesh brought out the best in them and left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was truly as majestic as Shahenshah!
His bowling had zip and accuracy which was worth marveling at. Left-arm bowlers have that natural grace and ability to conjure tough angles for batters to decode. On Sunday, this handsome man showed that he could do it for Pakistan.
Where does it go from here? India versus England in the semi-finals and New Zealand versus Pakistan. Predictions are dangerous as this World Cup has produced upsets galore and the form book has been shredded to pieces. What say Australia and South Africa?
Also read – WATCH: Ryan Burl grabs stunner to dismiss Rishabh Pant at the T20 World Cup
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S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)