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World Cup is the stage where you test your calibre in any sport. The 1983 dream win at Lord's is part of folklore and I was part of a generation that grew up listening to stories from that epic triumph. These motivating tales carried us as a confident unit in the 2003 World Cup.
It was my first World Cup, and obviously I was excited. I had made my Test debut in South Africa and was keen to perform. In fact, it was not an unexplored area for many of us. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath and Sourav Ganguly were stalwarts in this team. We knew we had to play to our potential and the World Cup would be ours! Such was our confidence.
Right balance
We had the right balance. The team's strength was, no doubt, batting but then the bowling was incisive enough to rattle the best of teams. We had our plans in place even though there were some anxious moments for us in the initial stages.
We may not have been impressive against the Netherlands in the opening encounter but the loss against Australia served a grim reminder. We would have to be at our best in every match. We were under pressure but never short of inspiration.
All we pleaded from our fans was patience and faith in the team. I remember some strong reactions back home from our fans after the loss against Australia hurt the team's sentiment and it needed a public appeal from Tendulkar to put things on course.
We travelled to Zimbabwe and the team regained its composure with a comfortable victory. An easy outing against Namibia set up the platform for the crucial match against England at Durban. It turned out to be a very memorable night for us. A sensational spell by Ashish Nehra (six for 23) destroyed England and we were ready for Pakistan.
Acrimonious match
The victory against Pakistan was one of the most cherished for most of us. There was palpable tension ahead of the match and during it too. I don't think I've ever been involved in a more acrimonious match against Pakistan. Tempers rose and abuses flew from both sides. It was really explosive.
The pitch was a beauty and it was hardly surprising when Pakistan set us 274 to win. It was going to be tough but not impossible. But what charged us up was Pakistan's attitude at the lunch break. They were already celebrating and we had not even faced a ball.
I could see how determined Tendulkar was. Once the umpires walked in we also stepped out and he told me “I'll take strike.” His brilliance with the bat was infectious and we just raced towards the victory with contributions from everyone. Tendulkar had shown the way and I rate that innings from him as one of the very best that I have seen. His batting was divine that day.
Transformed team
The win against Pakistan was celebrated with a thunderous “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” by all of us. We were a transformed team from that point. We were literally unstoppable in the Super Sixes as Kenya, Sri Lanka and New Zealand were swept away. Srinath and Nehra slayed Sri Lanka at the Wanderers and New Zealand crashed to Zaheer Khan at Centurion. We deserved the semifinal spot! We were back at Durban against Kenya and a century by Ganguly ensured an easy passage to the final.
The excitement at the Wanderers on that wonderful afternoon was an amazing experience for me. We were playing the final against a team that was formidable and peaking at the right time. Well, Australia played like a champion that day, posting a huge target of 360, thanks mainly to Ricky Ponting's grand innings. We made a brave attempt, I contributed 82, but it was not India's day. Australia was a worthy champion.
Sewagh shares his memories
It was my first World Cup, and obviously I was excited. I had made my Test debut in South Africa and was keen to perform. In fact, it was not an unexplored area for many of us. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath and Sourav Ganguly were stalwarts in this team. We knew we had to play to our potential and the World Cup would be ours! Such was our confidence.
Right balance
We had the right balance. The team's strength was, no doubt, batting but then the bowling was incisive enough to rattle the best of teams. We had our plans in place even though there were some anxious moments for us in the initial stages.
We may not have been impressive against the Netherlands in the opening encounter but the loss against Australia served a grim reminder. We would have to be at our best in every match. We were under pressure but never short of inspiration.
All we pleaded from our fans was patience and faith in the team. I remember some strong reactions back home from our fans after the loss against Australia hurt the team's sentiment and it needed a public appeal from Tendulkar to put things on course.
We travelled to Zimbabwe and the team regained its composure with a comfortable victory. An easy outing against Namibia set up the platform for the crucial match against England at Durban. It turned out to be a very memorable night for us. A sensational spell by Ashish Nehra (six for 23) destroyed England and we were ready for Pakistan.
Acrimonious match
The victory against Pakistan was one of the most cherished for most of us. There was palpable tension ahead of the match and during it too. I don't think I've ever been involved in a more acrimonious match against Pakistan. Tempers rose and abuses flew from both sides. It was really explosive.
The pitch was a beauty and it was hardly surprising when Pakistan set us 274 to win. It was going to be tough but not impossible. But what charged us up was Pakistan's attitude at the lunch break. They were already celebrating and we had not even faced a ball.
I could see how determined Tendulkar was. Once the umpires walked in we also stepped out and he told me “I'll take strike.” His brilliance with the bat was infectious and we just raced towards the victory with contributions from everyone. Tendulkar had shown the way and I rate that innings from him as one of the very best that I have seen. His batting was divine that day.
Transformed team
The win against Pakistan was celebrated with a thunderous “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” by all of us. We were a transformed team from that point. We were literally unstoppable in the Super Sixes as Kenya, Sri Lanka and New Zealand were swept away. Srinath and Nehra slayed Sri Lanka at the Wanderers and New Zealand crashed to Zaheer Khan at Centurion. We deserved the semifinal spot! We were back at Durban against Kenya and a century by Ganguly ensured an easy passage to the final.
The excitement at the Wanderers on that wonderful afternoon was an amazing experience for me. We were playing the final against a team that was formidable and peaking at the right time. Well, Australia played like a champion that day, posting a huge target of 360, thanks mainly to Ricky Ponting's grand innings. We made a brave attempt, I contributed 82, but it was not India's day. Australia was a worthy champion.
Sewagh shares his memories