India's dismal run in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and the following tri series with SL and Aus left me on the verge of tears. So with a vengeance and scathing contempt, I wrote this piece describing all the action, on and off the field which took place Down Under.
There's more than just a glint of malice towards certain celebrated people. It was an epic tour, and I've tried to do full justice to it.
One of my first poems, I hope you enjoy........
Behold folks! Hear the tale!
Of sixteen men, hearty and hale
Upon a mission to tame the men
Of Australia in their den.
'Conquerors Of The World'-The people hailed
Oblivious to the mission they'd fail
For they were the masters of the game
Reaching out to all glories and fame.
Against the conditions, against the crowd
India would campaign, there was no doubt
There was however the lack of a rumble
From the team that had been recently humbled.
Skipper Dhoni, leading from the front
Had to unfortunately, bear the brunt
The England tour had been a disaster
Owing to conditions difficult to master.
The skipper under intense pressure such,
That he'd lost his own Midas Touch
Warily, he managed to say
"We'll win the series, come what may."
His teammates coming under scrutiny
Put to rest rumours of mutiny"
We're focused, let us concentrate
Don't give us more on a full plate!"
"The Aussie pace attack fiery and daunting
Led by Captain Ricky Ponting
Lacks teeth and the X-factor
To win Matches"-said detractors
The real battle thus began
The Ozzies revealed the child and the man
Indians suffered yet another defeat
Aussies firmly in the driver's seat.
The Indian batting was left wanting
To be only troubled by nightmarish hauntings,
That seized the minds of the senior pros
Helplessness oozing down their'brows
Mighty heroes of yester years
Falling prey to their own fears
The harsh Aussie terrain beginning to scare
Challenging more than they could dare.
India's game plan, taken apart
By Ozzie's guile and cunning craft
They had the best think tanks
And prodigious talents among their ranks.
They virtually shredded our pace attack
Comprising Ishant, Umesh and Zak
While the spinners sang a forlorn song
Tried their best, but what went wrong?
The Sydney firecracker fizzled out
Indians back home began to shout
"May way for the young, they'll teach you to play
Watch them, you dolts, as they join the fray."
Captain Cool did not heed them
Useless banters-they didn't need 'em
They were down in the series by two-nil
Aussies closing in, moving for the kill.
The massacre which followed at Perth
Finally exposed the team's dearth-
-Of talent, youthful and enthusiastic guys
Who wouldn't indulge in petty politics and lies.
Taking a break, the world cup winners
Had good lunches and hearty dinners
Recreation-the only way
They could go out and excel in play.
A rejuvenated team arrived at Adelaide
No change in script-they were waylaid
Another loss we had to suffer
"Bcoz of Laxman", they said,"He's the duffer!"
Cometh the T20, Cometh the players
Youngsters eager to show their wares
Trying to rescue the team from the cage
In which they'd imprisoned their own image.
They did win one of the T20 matches
With electric fielding and less dropped catches
Ah, the emotions which were flowing
The bright faces of the players were glowing.
"We savour victory only in defeat
We've finally found our feet
The team's enthusiastic, raring to go
Just the beginning, there's a lot to show."
"Now we're ready to prove our mettle
For nothing less than victory we'll settle
Aussies Beware, here we are
A series victory is not too far!"
"Fare the well!"-the Aussies sneer
"We ain't the only ones you need to fear
For when the mighty Lankans arrive today,
You'll have nothing to do and nothing to say!"
Sri Lankans were indeed a formidable foe
Wherever they went, wins would flow
Obliterated the SAFs a few days ago
Now here to deal others, a heavy blow.
Up until then, the Lankan Crusaders
Had remained silent. The Gladiators-
-Put to action what they'd sweetly planned
To tighten the noose on enemy land.
The Lankan Brigade, stealthy, observant,
Intelligent, smart, industrious & fervent
Their batsmen solid, looking to pin
-down India & Aus with pace and spin.
Indeed their camp, full of flair
Sangakkara-Jayawerdene, a deadly pair
While Malinga's yorkers would send them flying
The spinner's craft would leave them crying.
Aussies commanded the best pace battery
Upon my word-this ain't no flattery
Warner, Hussey, Clarke & Ponting
Formed a batting, ever so daunting!
Indians had to their credit
'The best ever team!'-whoever said it?
But true enough, the batsmen were bright
The bowlers-a revelation-bringing forth new light.
The tournament itself promised to sizzle
(provided the lord keep away the drizzles)
No man or team could afford to blunder
Else they'd pay heavily down under.
The 1st ODI was a bit of a dampener
For the subdued & humbled Indian campaigners
Putting to waste a brilliant start
Losing the match, really fast!
Batting problems and bowling woes
Kept India on their toes
The players by now grew exasperated
Accepted their ouster was already fated.
Aussie players now converged
To sing India's funeral dirge
"Defeats are part of cricket's deal!"
Frustrated Indians had to squeal.
The Aussie camp now ran amok
Leaving the opponents in a daze and shock
Justifying their 'Invincibles' tag
But India and SL continued to lag.
Few instances of brilliance notwithstanding,
Did not change the overall standings
India shunted out in an unceremonious way
Wishing for the final they'd never play.
But Alas!Such is the game of fate
It extended SL's desperate wait
The Aussies got the better of them
Still, the final produced a gem.
Glorious Uncertainties still prevail
Attempts to decipher them shall fail
But that's where cricket's beauty lies
Oh dear me! How time flies!
The trio's ballad must come to an end
Thanks for the support you've been kind to lend
As the saga now draws to a close
Readers, hopefully you did not dose?
----------------------------------------------by Mo'Steel
Would love your comments and constructive criticisms........help me become a better writer....
