September 4. Exactly a month since the Oval win. And yet, it still seems so real, and also, so unreal. We were all hoping that the game would finish on Day 4 and I had even said to my team that they could have a day off and fly back the next day. At 301/3, it seemed the inevitable was on us. Yet another defeat and yet one more time, Indian cricket will be left with many more questions than answers. I would be questioned regarding my decision to take a team of eight to England and asked if it was indeed a waste of money!
But then, to borrow it from CLR James, “What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?” It was the same Mohammed Siraj who settled under the Harry Brook catch off Akash Deep and all of a sudden there was a glimmer of hope. For Siraj it was redemption after the dropped catch. Jacob Bethell added to the drama by playing a silly shot and then it was Joe Root. By now we did not want the rain. India had momentum and the crowd had found their voice. But then, the rains did come and the groundsmen weren’t sure if things could be ready on time for the game to resume. So we did have Day 5.
To my surprise, The Oval was near full. A huge number of Indian supporters had turned up and from ball one, Siraj was a man possessed. The truth is it was one of the best hours of Test cricket if you were an Indian supporter. Each ball was a story and each wicket a volcano. The crowd was roaring and so were India. And the final wicket was pure drama. As the Siraj yorker hit the stumps, we all turned numb. Emotions had taken over and then came the collective roar. We had seen history unfold and it was an “I was there” moment for everyone present. Siraj presented his match jersey to me, which made it more special and even after a month it gives goosebumps in trying to relive the excitement.
The victory left us with two key life learnings. In sport, it is never say never. There is no way a team can give up and accept defeat. Things can change and change quickly. And once things start to happen for you, make sure you keep the pressure on and close things out.
Second is a larger life lesson applicable to us all. Each one of us have our own issues and challenges. The Oval victory is evidence, with hard work everything can be made possible. India were down and out. And yet things happened. We need to keep working hard. Siraj did and was rewarded.
There are no substitutes for hard work and it is applicable to every profession in the world. Hard work and self-belief are the two ingredients that you need to be successful. At no point can you stop believing in yourself. The moment you do, things can get away from you. India did not. And that’s what The Oval has taught us. A month on, it is important to remember and learn. And apply it in our own lives.
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