The World Rejoices when they win

I was told there were crackers being burnt on the streets of Bangalore as the final of the World T20 concluded. The Bangaloreans forgot their differences with it's neighboring state over the Cauvery issue and plunged into joy as the World T20 concluded. No, they were not celebrating an Indian win - but a win of a cluster of American nations miles apart - the West Indies. I am certain the West Indies win must have brought joy not just to Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana or Antigua but every part of the cricketing world - and probably even to Sri Lanka. 

They are just that kind of a team. It is that brand of cricket they play, that makes everyone fall in love with them. It is the brand of cricket for which I cannot use an adjective; for there is none. It is just the Caribbean way of playing the game. They play it hard and yet they are always aware of the fact that it is just a game. They play the game with a smile, irrespective of the match situation. They are a kind of team, you do not want to see on the losing side. It is just inexplicable, how they charm everyone irrespective of their nationality. Probably it is the way the celebrate - they make us feel part of the triumph. Or probably it is the smile with which they play that casts a spell on us. Or probably it is that boisterous laugh they manage even in between a tense contest. Or it is just their approach to the game which gravitates us towards them. They remind us of the way we played cricket (or any sport) when we were kids; desperately wanting to win but in the complete consciousness of it being 'just a game'. Compete fiercely while playing but forget about the game and share a joke with the opponents moments after the game concluded.

During the entire tumultuous period of West Indian cricket, the one that remained constant was the way they played cricket - the attitude towards the game. And thus they have more well-wishers across the globe than any other country. When Australia was the most dominant side, everyone outside Australia would have celebrated an Australian loss. I am sure, that was not the case when the Windies dominated. The world has loved to see the West Indies play cricket. Whether it was Sobers, Richards, Holding, Marshall or it was Lara, Walsh, Ambrose or the modern day players like Gayle, Pollard, Narine, Samuels there is one thing that is always common - the amount joy that pervades when they play cricket.

These bunch of West Indians might not have all the cricket records to their name. These bunch might not be ranked among the greatest cricketers of all time. They are no Richards or Holding or Roberts. But these bunch of West Indians at Colombo have touched the hearts of the entire cricket watching public. They have brought a smile on the faces of all those who have followed this edition of World T20. I know for sure that this West Indies team has been the reason many watched this WT20 and there can no bigger compliment than that. No record would give you the joy than the fact that you have become the reason for people to watch the game.

I had written previously that a victory in World T20 could begin the much-awaited revival of West Indian cricket. Now, that has happened. I really hope this does embark a new era in West Indies cricket. Their cricket has definitely improved in the past couple of years. I really wish and hope that this is the beginning of the things to come for their is no other team (barring my home nation - India) whose success tastes sweeter to me.