The date was October 1, 2009. The location was the gleaming, glass-walled studio of Star Sports Cricket in Mumbai. Outside, the monsoon rains were finally receding, but inside, the air conditioning was humming, and the lights were blazing on the faces of three men who practically defined cricket analysis in India.
The iconic Champions Trophy theme music—a dramatic, orchestral swell—faded out as the camera swooped down on the anchor.
Harsha Bhogle, wearing his signature smile and a sharp suit, looked into the lens.
"Namaskar, welcome to 'Game Plan'. The group stages are done and dusted. The dust has settled in South Africa, and from the eight gladiators who entered the arena, only four remain. The ICC Champions Trophy has reached its business end."
The screen behind him split into four quadrants, displaying the flags of the semi-finalists: India, Australia, New Zealand, and England.
"It has been a tournament of surprises," Harsha continued, his voice modulating with that familiar cadence. "The West Indies and Pakistan have gone home. South Africa, the hosts, crashed out early. And now, we are left with a fascinating mix. The Defending Champions, the World T20 Champions, the Perennial Dark Horses, and the Old Enemy."
He turned to his panel.
On his left sat the Little Master, Sunil Gavaskar, looking impeccable as always.
On his right was the sharp-tongued analyst, Sanjay Manjrekar.
"Sunny bhai," Harsha started. "Let's start with the team that everyone is talking about. The Men in Blue. Top of Group A. Unbeaten on the field. Are they the favourites to lift the trophy?"
Sunil Gavaskar adjusted his glasses, a glint of pride in his eyes.
"Harsha, in cricket, the word 'favourite' is a heavy burden. But if you look at the form, India is playing the best cricket. They had a washout against Australia, yes, but look at how they dismantled Pakistan and West Indies. They aren't just winning; they are dominating."
Harsha: "What's changed, Sunny? I mean, the confidence seems different."
Gavaskar: "It's the balance, Harsha. You have the experience of Sachin and Dravid at the top—the calmness. And then you have this engine room in the middle. Virat Kohli and Siddanth Deva. These two young men have injected a belief that is scary. They don't fear failure. You saw Kohli against West Indies? He batted like he had a flight to catch. And Deva... well, what more can we say about him?"
Harsha: "Let's bring up the graphic for Siddanth Deva."
The giant screen shifted. A 3D hologram of Siddanth appeared, along with his tournament stats.
Matches: 3 (1 Washout).
Runs: 123 (including the century vs Pakistan).
Wickets: 5.
Economy: 4.2.
Sanjay Manjrekar leaned forward. "This is the difference, Harsha. In the past, India struggled to find a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder. We had bits-and-pieces players. Deva is not bits-and-pieces. He is a frontline bowler who clocks 145kph, and he is a top-order batsman who scores centuries under pressure. When you have a player like that, you essentially play with 12 men. It allows Dhoni to play five bowlers without compromising batting."
Harsha: "Sanjay, you watched the Pakistan game closely. That century. The 'Salute'. It's become iconic. But beyond the emotion, technically, how good was that innings?"
Manjrekar: "It was mature. That's the word. He was bombarded with short balls. He was sledged. He was physically obstructed. A lesser player would have thrown his bat or got out hooking. Deva absorbed it. He showed the defense of Dravid and the power of Yuvraj. That back-foot punch he plays? That is pure class. In South African conditions, that technique is gold."
Harsha: "Okay, so India looks strong. But they face England in the second semi-final. England scraped through Group B. Are they a threat?"
Gavaskar: "England is always a threat in conditions that assist swing. And The Wanderers will swing. James Anderson and Stuart Broad will test the Indian technique. Remember, Sehwag is not there. Gambhir is struggling a bit. If they get Sachin and Dravid early, the middle order will be exposed to the moving ball."
Manjrekar: "I agree with Sunny bhai, but I think England's batting is fragile. Strauss is their rock. But if you get Strauss and Collingwood, the rest can be rattled. And India has the bowlers to do it. Ashish Nehra has been a revelation with the new ball. He is swinging it both ways. And then you have Deva coming in first change. There is no respite for the English batsmen."
Harsha: "Let's look at the other semi-final. Australia vs. New Zealand. The Trans-Tasman rivalry. Australia are the defending champions, but they looked shaky against Pakistan. Can the Kiwis upset them?"
Gavaskar: "Never write off the Kiwis in an ICC tournament. They are the 'Silent Assassins'. They don't make noise, they don't have superstars, but they have a system. Daniel Vettori is a clever captain. And they have Shane Bond. If Bond stays fit for 10 overs, he can tear through that Australian top order."
Manjrekar: "But Australia knows how to win semi-finals, Sunny bhai. Ricky Ponting. He smells trophies. He scored that massive hundred in the 2003 final. He knows the pressure. And they have Brett Lee. I think Australia has too much firepower for New Zealand. Watson is due for runs."
Harsha: "So, Sanjay picks Australia. Sunny?"
Gavaskar: "I think it will be close, but Australia's depth might just edge it. They have Hussey at number 6. That is a luxury."
Harsha: "So, if predictions hold true, we are looking at an India vs. Australia final? A rematch of 2003? A rematch of the group stage washout?"
Gavaskar: "That would be the dream final. And this time, I think India is ready for them. In 2003, we were intimidated. In 2009, with Dhoni and his team... nobody intimidates this Indian team. They look the Australians in the eye."
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Harsha: "Before we wrap up, we have a special segment. We asked fans across India to vote for their 'Player of the Tournament' so far. The results are overwhelming."
The screen flashed. A pie chart appeared.
Siddanth Deva: 38%
Sachin Tendulkar: 25%
Mahendra Singh Dhoni: 20%
Ricky Ponting: 17%
Harsha: "38 percent! against Sachin, Dhoni, and Pointing. Sanjay, what is it about him? Is it just the performances, or the persona?"
Manjrekar: "It's the attitude, Harsha. Indian fans have always loved the humble genius like Sachin or Dravid. But Deva? He has a bit of a strut. He has that 'fast bowler's aggression'. He doesn't back down from a fight; he stares down the opposition. It's a new India. An aggressive India. He represents the youth who are confident and unapologetic. And frankly, hitting a 150kph yorker to Afridi? That seals the deal."
Gavaskar: "Also, Harsha, look at his fitness. We showed footage of him running between the wickets with Dhoni against Pakistan. In the 48th over, he was sprinting the first run as fast as the first over. That fitness should inspire all the young aspirants who want to play for India. He is raising the standard of the entire team."
Harsha: "Indeed. He is the complete package. So, gentlemen, final predictions. Who lifts the trophy on October 5th?"
Sanjay Manjrekar: "My heart says India, my head says... India. They have covered all bases. Unless they have a catastrophic bad day, I don't see England or Australia stopping them."
Sunil Gavaskar: "I will go with India as well. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has the Midas touch. And in Siddanth Deva, he has found his diamond. I think the Cup is coming home."
Harsha: "Two votes for India. I certainly hope you are right. The semi-final against England is just around the corner. It promises to be a cracker at the Wanderers. Do join us for the live coverage starting at 1:30 PM IST. For now, from Sunny, Sanjay, and myself, goodbye!"
The camera pulled back, the lights dimmed, and the music swelled again.
In millions of homes across India, the television sets were switched off, but the conversations continued. The anticipation was building. The belief was real.
The Devil was leading the charge, and the nation was ready to follow.