New Delhi: Social media was flooded by nostalgia and cricket mania as people recalled the historic day when MS Dhoni’s young team annihilated arch-rivals Pakistan in the finals of the first T20 World Cup at The Wanderers in Johannesburg. The day was September 24, 2007, and the adrenaline-pumping final witnessed the Men in Blue defeat Pakistan by 5 wickets, with the talented Irfan Pathan emerging as the Man of the Match, with his magical 3/16 haul.
This year’s T20 World Cup will herald another climax, as India and Pakistan clash again on October 24th, in what could surely be a scintillating match. India has so far remained undefeated in the 12 World Cup (T20 and 50 overs format) encounters it has had with Pakistan. Syncing in with this momentum of India remaining victorious, #Baapbaaphotahai trended in Hindi on microblogging platform Koo, with cricket fans looking enthusiastically for the Indian team’s 13th World Cup victory over Pakistan.
Even as players battle it out, all eyes will be on three key men this time. The aggressive Virat Kohli, who steps down as India’s T20 skipper after the World Cup (while continuing to lead India in ODIs and Test cricket) will be in focus. While MS Dhoni, the man who captained India to multiple victories, will be seen donning the avatar of a mentor. Head coach Ravi Shastri, who is set to step down post the World Cup, will also be in the limelight this season.
As the swords get drawn out, and players gun for wickets, a multitude of chest-thumping moments will spur another eagerly awaited revolutionary match in the history of cricket. Get set for the action.
