On March 8, 2020, you’ll walk out on the field to chase that glorious trophy, to sing the national anthem as we all chant the same waving our flag, seeing you play like we ourselves are, with eyes beaming with pride and determination. We’ve seen you picking yourselves up from rough times, we’ve felt the pain of losses and we’ve shared it all together. And then we’ve seen you warm up in the nets and as you take on the 22 Yards, turning the heat on as the cheers of “India India” echo in the stands. We know how important this world cup is for us, for the simple fact that it isn’t just a cup! It’s a cauldron of years of hard work, of tears, of sweat, of blood of defeat, of losses, of hope, of determination, of hunger, of pain, of criticism, and of the very essence of never giving up. Thank you for choosing bats and balls over dolls. Thank you for running azure for your dreams, for your aspirations, for helping us chase our dreams through your eyes.
We hope that today, you remember, we’re with you like we’ve always been. Glued to our TV screens, storming into the stadiums to silent all fears, to chant as loud as we can, for success that comes after struggle makes the loudest noise! We will wave the flag until you cross the finish line, for it is incomplete without the blue in it. And don’t worry about anything at all, what the world says, what it ever did or what it ever will. We know where you’ve come from and where you’ve reached, we’re a family and we’ve seen you grow through it all and glow so bright that the critics have had to shut their eyes.
Here’s wishing you all the very best champions! Go out, chase the dream, bring the cup home, where it belongs! Express your love for this sacred game and play your hearts and souls out wearing the nation’s soul on your sleeves and just close your eyes and remember each word that mocked you, each story of struggle, each day of fighting with Stereotypes, each comment, each piece of criticism and open your eyes to feel the winds telling you, IT IS SHOW TIME. Chak de!
Yours lovingly and with best of wishes,
A devotee.
The 22 Yard stretch that molded me, is what I hold sacred. A cricketer weaving life’s innings into words. A Rohit Sharma Admirer always. I believe writing and cricket aren’t passions, but ways of life, so truly living the dream!