The South African cricket team has finally done what their fans have dreamed of for years.
On Saturday, they won the World Test Championship trophy by defeating Australia at Lord’s. This victory is not just a trophy, but a victory of the hopes and dreams of a country.
When South Africa returned to international cricket after apartheid in 1992, this moment was special for them. At that time Nelson Mandela had come out of jail, but the wind of change had not yet fully blown in the country.
Cricket was not just a game at that time, but a means to connect a country. But repeated World Cup defeats and the tag of “chokers” had become a pain for South African cricket fans.
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How Did the Rainbow Victory Happen?
When Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram came to the crease at Lord’s on Saturday, 69 runs were needed and 8 wickets were left.
Bavuma, who was taunted for his short stature and quota selection, played a brilliant innings of 66 runs despite a hamstring injury.
On the other hand, Markram brought the team close to victory with a brilliant innings of 136 runs. The last 6 runs were scored by Kyle Verreyne, and that’s it, history was created!
This victory was not just of one match. It was the victory of a country that saw a long period of apartheid, defeat, and criticism.
Kagiso Rabada said, “There were two voices in my mind – one of doubt, the other of faith.” This time faith won. Players like Rabada, who consider themselves not a star but a soldier of the team, are the real heroes of this victory.
Earlier, South African cricket teams depended on stars like Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn. But this time this victory was of unity. Every player fulfilled his responsibility.
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Legends like Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers were seen cheering their team in the stands. There was pride on their faces because their team did what they could not do for years.
What will change now?
This victory can change the relationship between the people of South Africa and cricket. Till now rugby was loved for winning four World Cups, but cricket was ignored by calling it boring.
Now this victory will show the mirror to the people how much power their team has. This is not just a victory of cricket, but a celebration of the power of Test cricket and the hopes of a country.
