This is an appeal to the Indian cricket team to win the finals of the world cup against Australia in the finals of 2003 for which the whole nation was awaitiing with bated breadth

In cricket, what better achievement can be other than winning the world cup final
You can permanently silence your critics with a performance that is seminal.

It is only in the fitness of things that before the memory of our victory in 1983 permanently fades
We have once again got the opportunity to repeat the feat after two decades.

One cannot but help feel a little nostalgic,
It would be really tragic if you are not able to repeat the 1983 world cup magic

That particular world cup had bequeathed on us Indians a legacy
We have again got a chance to show that for us, winning the world cup is no longer just a fantasy.

When in the finals, you meet the men from down under.
Remember that you are in the finals this time; against them you cannot again afford to blunder.

The south Africans among others are already with us, the Australians are likely to face the “boos”
On foreign soil, you shall not get such a glorious chance to defeat the Kangaroos.

It does not matter that the Australians are the current world Champions
You have already shown against the other teams, Saurav what you can do with your companions.

You must forget your previous performance against Australia at the Centurion park.
Subsequent events have shown that to defeat Australia, the Indian team alone is up to the mark.

It does not matter that in that match we were dismissed for just one hundred and twenty five.
As since then, we have done nothing but thrive.

After the debacle in New Zealand, in this tournament, you have proved your resilience.
Your performance so far has shown that for Australia, you alone can prove to be a nuisance.

In fact, it seems that on your current form,
It would be a travesty of fate if in the finals you don’t perform.

When you face the opening batsman, Adam Gilchrist
Remember that destiny is smiling on us once again;
recall Nehru’s inspiring independence speech on Tryst.*

As for the Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting.
His batting form hardly makes him daunting.

Where form is concerned, the most dangerous is Andrew Symonds
To dismiss him in seconds, lure him with an outswinger
The way an impressionable lady is lured by Diamonds

As for the super consistent Michael Bevan
He can be subdued if collective determination is displayed by all eleven.

Where bowlers are concerned, the most intimidating on current form seems to be Brett lee
Sachin is capable of pummeling him the way opponents were trounced by Bruce lee.

The young Andrew Bechel is just an upstart, he is not even worth a remark
His chances against our batting line up are similar currently to those of Iraq**

As for the old war horse, Glenn McGgrath
After what he did to Pakistan, he should be wary of Sachin’s Wrath.

In fact, against Pakistan, such was the mind blowing performance of Sachin
He has shown the way; treat the Australian bowlers as if being bowled at by a street urchin.

As far as the bowlers are concerned,
we have the best pace attack in Srinath, Zaheer and Nehra.
Not only native Indians but they are also looked up to the world over by the Indian Diaspora.

It is our fervent appeal to you bowlers that as you approach your runner-up.
Please strike form collectively; only then we are most likely to win the world cup

When you take on the Australians tomorrow
Defeat them in a way that they do what Shane Warne did before the cup out of sorrow***

Whether in prose or poetry, let it be said aloud.
By winning the world cup, you shall be making the whole country proud.

After a gap of twenty years.
You are once again the object of the nation’s eyes and ears,
the whole country is ready to shed happy tears.

If you manage to defeat Australia,
nobody shall ever grudge your contracts or other paraphernalia
For Posterity shall never forget you; you shall forever be part of India’s folklore and memorabilia.****



* Nehru’s famous Tryst with destiny speech
** Refers to Iraq’s war against America
*** Refers to Shane Warne’s indictment on taking banned drugs.
**** Implies second definition- implies events instead of objects worth remembering.