Image Courtesy: www.google,com

Needing 5 runs in last 2 balls. Dale Steyn, world’s best bowler holding the ball in his hand. South African fans amongst the crowd literally standing on their seats and trying to hold their unabated breath to see the triumph of their side. The situation, as it seemed, was quite in favour of mighty “Proteas”. But, I guess the time had something in its mind. It wanted to add few more non-tearable pages to an already existing bitter memories. Knowingly or unknowingly, it wanted to bestow the reminiscence of what used to happen to S.A. in every major tournament and what they are infamous for. The six on the penultimate ball by Grant Elliott from New Zealand (and that too on a ball of a bowler, who is quite prominent at such needy times) had completely shattered the coveted dream of all South African fans. In fact, not only “Chokers” but we too were hoping against hope that at least, this time, they might or should win to go to the ICC World Cup 2015 Final.

It was going suavely after the wicket of destructive Batsman Correy Anderson from New Zealand, who has a habit of taking the game away from the reach of an opponent. Few dot balls here and there had surely created a panic in New Zealand’s camp. In fact, this was proving to be fruitful where Elliot had a miss-hit pool that was airy for a short time. But, the pressure of winning and fear of losing again had surely succumbed their tenacity. This was the turning point where if the catch had been taken, the result of the match could have been in favour of South Africa. The lack of communication and the anxiety to win had created all sorts of confusion between J.P. Duminy and Farhan Behardien because of which none of them was able to hold onto a pivotal catch. It wasn't just these two who failed to keep their head still; but the captain, Mr. cool as cucumber, A B De Villiers too went with the flow to miss an important run out chance earlier.

These two instances quite surely epitomize the fact that haplessness does exist and it can’t be separated from team South Africa. In fact, they are pretty much juxtaposed and bound to each other. Firstly, the unintended rain coming at the crucial stage of South Africa’s batting climax  where the number of overs had been cut short to 43. This has certainly reduced their chances from taking the score to 350 mark and taking the match away from New Zealand. Secondly, the missed run out chance by A B De Villiers, stumping chance by Quinton De Kock, and the catch that was put down by Behardien had made it sure to continue South Africa’s notorious legacy.

It was really heartbreaking to see maestros like De Villiers, Morne Morkel, Faf Du Plessis not able to control their emotions , the scene which was quite conspicuous through their cry. Though the hand shared by Grant Elliot to Dale Steyn to stand up and not to feel guilty about the repercussion had proved that cricket is still a gentleman’s game, the thought of being called “Chokers” forever will surely reverberate and won’t get evaded easily. 

On one side, we feel happy for New Zealand since they had never entered into the finals of  past World cups, also the current form via which they are sailing through, they surely deserved to be in the final. But, on the other side, we do feel disheartened after seeing South Africa once again becoming the victim of  never-ending jinx. I guess, the lineage of malediction will surely continue to live in the form of South Africa not winning any ICC World cup.

-- THE END --