Let's enjoy Windies Success, lets dance the Gangnam way!

For KheloPakistan.com

West Indies needed this cup badly! More than anyone else, there is no doubt about it. It was a long wait for them.. 33 years without winning a World Cup, 8 years without any ICC trophy. 

With Cricket taking the back seat in the Caribbean and most people more interested in Soccer, Basketball and other sports this victory will mean alot to the Caribbean Islands and most probably revive the passion for Cricket once again.

Darren Sammy, the Captain said:  "We will definitely cherish this moment. We're going to relive it every day of our lives. This here (the trophy) is for the Caribbean people. West Indies fans all over the world have been craving success. I know they're partying from Jamaica down to Guyana. And we know how to party."

There is also no doubt about the fact that West Indies along with Pakistan are the two flavors that the International Cricket needs badly to survive and prosper. The passion they bring in the game, the way they play the game is different from anything we see around the world.

It was a well deserved win and West Indies had been nominated by many former cricketers to win the tournament because of the fire power they had but they had to strive hard for it. This was the most open Word T20 ever with all the teams having equal chances and also equally talented  so coming out winners from that situation shows some character. No doubt they won no match in the group stages and won just one in the super eight, but they performed when it mattered, they totally out classed their opponents in the semi final and the final.

The Xfactor for West Indies was Chris Gayle and he did not disappoint. Not only was he the key performer with the bat, his presence was enough to motivate all the players. 

After having to stay out from the team for one year  his come back was amazing. He was the 4th leading scorer of the tournament with 222 runs at a healthy average of 44.40. Such was his dominance that he ended up with 16 sixes, most by any batsman in the tournament. Why bother running when you can hit them out of the park, adding the 19 fours he hit along with the sixes, Gayle scored 172/222 runs in boundaries that makes a remarkable percentage of 77.47%.

The actual success story was perhaps Marlon Samuels. His 230 runs at an average of  38.33 made him the 3rd leading scorer of the tournament but it was actually his ability to click at the critical stages that made him the most important player. Bowling the last over in the Super Eight game against New Zealand, then bowling the all important super over. Scoring three half centuries when West Indies needed it the most especially in the final when he scored 78 runs out of the total of 137 and was man of the match in the final. His hitting Lasith Malinga for huge sixes all over the park will be a sight to remember. Not to forget he hit a total of 15 sixes, just one less than Mighty Gayle.

It was a team effort and not individual brilliance that won West Indies the cup. Sunil Narine was the 4th leading wicket taker of the tournament with 9 wickets at an economy rate of mere 5.63. Ravi Rampaul although went unnoticed but he also took 9 wickets and it was his consistent habit of picking up wickets at the start of the innings that put pressure on other teams and making life easier for other bowlers. DJ Bravo, who had a groin strain and couldn't bowl showed his utility as a batsman and in the filed. 

Darren Sammy has always been lamented for his performance and his position in the team has always been questioned but you can't deny the fact that he is the captain of the team and lead them to a World Cup win. Had it not been his quick fire 26 not out in the final West Indies may have ended up with a below par total and Sri Lanka may well have reached the target easily. He also took 2/6 in the same all important match and led from the front for his team.

"Anybody could have an opinion about me. I like it. My shoulders are broad enough. It's been like that from the time I started cricket. Once I wear this [West Indies] crest (pointing to his shirt), I wear it on my heart. That's what matters. If I turn up and don't have a good day, I suck, I'll come the next day and try and put in a better performance. I don't play for glory. I play for the Caribbean people." 

It's too early to say what will happen next, how will they perform in the other versions of the game, can they become a force to reckon in world cricket. Only time will tell that but they have put a step in the right direction for sure.. West Indies are the T20 Champions now, they have proved the world they are not a finished product by any means, they are here to stay. 

And lets cherish their victory, lets enjoy their success for now, lets dance the gangnam way!