Just after Rohit Sharma essayed the sort of cover drive that belongs as much in a gallery as it does a cricket match, Graeme Smith was purring in the commentary box
“It doesn’t get much better than that,” the former South Africa captain said appreciatively, while attempting to describe the aesthetic brilliance of the shot.
And then it did. Barely had Smith finished speaking as Rohit caressed the following ball back between the bowler and mid-on fielder for four, exuding grace as he went.
Turns out, you can get better than that. Best did not even last one ball before being improved upon.
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It could serve as a metaphor for Indian cricket as a whole. Just when you think they have reached their zenith, they find a little something extra. A new dimension.
You might recall they had a decent enough set of batsmen just after the turn of the century, known as the “Fab Five”. Their achievements were many and varied.
But Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly never did win the World Cup in harness.
What would India do once all those guys went? Despite the gaping holes after each made way for the next generation, they found new heroes, won a World Twenty20, and then the big one – the World Cup – on home soil in 2011.
MS Dhoni then competed the limited-overs set by captaining them to Champions Trophy success in England in 2013. To say it is a tough act to follow is a little like saying June can be warm in Abu Dhabi. It rather undersells the point.
So what now? Matching up to the era that has gone before it, that of Dhoni, is going to be hard. But on the early evidence, it could turn out even better, if that is possible.
This is the first major tournament of the Virat Kohli era. They have done all that has been asked of them so far. Bangladesh were barely even a speed bump in the semi-final at Edgbaston, as Rohit and Kohli navigated the run-chase in the most facile fashion possible.
Repeat the feat they managed in dominating Pakistan as they did in the opening round match, and India will be one from one in major events of Kohli’s watch.
It represents the ideal final for many, not least the broadcasters who pay fortunes to air these events, mainly on the basis of the Indo-Pak fixture occurring once. For it to happen twice, and with the trophy riding on it, is a boon for everyone.
As ever, the stakes will be high, and it is unlikely to be quite the cakewalk it was for India in the group match.
Much has been made of the way the Indian Premier League has polished India’s white-ball cricket to the extent they are the leading force in the limited-overs formats.
Jasprit Bumrah was the defining figure as Mumbai Indians won this year’s IPL last month. He is going much the same way about the Champions Trophy, too. The young seam bowler was the pick of the bowlers against Bangladesh.
That said, Pakistan have learnt a few tricks and found some new stars via their own budding Twenty20 competition, the Pakistan Super League.
Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali, whose reputations have largely been made by the PSL, have transformed Pakistan’s morale since the drubbing by India first time out.
They should have little fear ahead of Sunday’s final at The Oval.
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