Rejuvenated Windies can now go all the way... Oh wait! The *GANGNAM* way

There's a peculiar reason behind the title of this piece. The Korean Gangnam rap which had received a whopping 390 million likes on youtube would have quite easily gone global ever since the West Indies cricket team started impersonating it. That celebration pack, as said in FIFA games, has provided a scene that has given cricket lovers all across the world an awful amount of joy.

If on one hand, the entire cricketing world danced to their merry mode of celebration as seen in the stadiums of Sri Lanka, the geographic distance from Guyana to Jamaica would have been having the time of their life as their favorite men brought their dreams to reality by lifting the fourth edition of the World T20, the first time since 1979 when they last captured the World cup.

The West Indians fell on the ground, did one-handed push-ups, sang Jamaican raps and unleashed their crazy self and why not. After all, one doesn't expect any less than that when it comes to the Caribbean style of celebrating. In fact, it went to the extent of Sanjay Manjrekar helplessly looking for at least one player who could have been in the senses to talk to him about the historic win.

West Indies have come a long way ever since their last major Win in the 2004 Champions Trophy. Being a cricket follower, it was always a bit heavy to see the men from the Caribbean struggle after knowing the capability it one possessed during its Invincible days. The period of transition went from the then World Champions to the emerging 90's, where individuals like Carl Hooper, Ian Bishop, Ridley Jacobs, the lethal Walsh & Ambrose duo and the exceptional Brian Lara ruled the Cricketing biosphere, but always failed to click as a team. Even in the last decade, much remained the same as the entire Cricketing fraternity saw West Indies go through an ample lot without having much to be happy about. But today, that wait came to a halt and so much so that I can finally replace the disappointment of the Indian team with this Windies triumph.

If history is to be believed, the T2O version has always brought out the best in the West Indies. After reaching the semi-finals of the 2009 edition, they finally slayed their demons 3 years later. In Sammy's words, this Caribbean spectacle could only be a step forward for right and brighter things coming their way.

A Windies win would have not been taken too optimist a person to predict. They were by no means entering the tournament as underdogs. Especially after a series win against New Zealand at home and with a side that in my estimation, is one of the better sides to have played together. To top it all, it was a team marred by boosts of confidence and self believe that made 7th October 2012 a landmark in the history of West Indies cricket.

It is said that the real architecture behind a prospering side is it's leader and indeed, Darren Sammy has been no less than an awe-inspiring skipper that the whole team looked up to. The way he kept motivating his side and spoke positives about them was something good for the spirit of captaincy. And when the time was accurate, just looking at him wearing his country's flag showed how much it meant to him and his team. On a lighter note, he currently stands as one of the serious contenders for Muscle man skipper. Anyone interested to step in the ring with him? Caution: At your own risk

Ever since their entry in the tournament, their side have looked totally different from the ones seen in recent times. So much, that one couldn't help but notice and realise that the Dark days are finally done with. Gayle was expected to be the assassinator of the opposition team and he more than justified that role. He brutalized every bowling attack that there was to be. Apart from it, match winning efforts from the emerging Johnson Charles against England and from Rampaul and Badree against the in-form Aussies and a fighting 72 from Marlon Samuels in the finals fulfilled the entire ingredients for a complete team performance.

West Indies have suffered innumerable series losses both home and abroad in the last decade and a half and considering all that, a big World T20 triumph is more than just satisfying. Many may not consider this big, but in actuality this is no trivial feat by any means. One could only hope and expect positive things from a rejuvenated West Indian side in the times ahead.