Just doing it...

Oaktree Creative
June 24, 2024

The Oaktree Post
By Abhijit Mahida · June 24, 2024

In 1977, serial killer Gary Gilmore was facing the firing squad in the Utah State Prison in America. When asked for any last words, he said the now famous 3 words that were made immortal by an advertising legend Mr. Dan Weiden, when he wrote a tagline for a shoe company.

Let’s begin this edition repeating those words: Just do it.

This week we have:

Cricket World Cup dishing thrillers…
Indian Football delivering drama…
And a new tennis star emerges from India…

The Cricket World Cup is keeping everyone on their toes

Yesterday, Afghanistan did the unthinkable (but inevitable) and beat Australia in a World Cup game. They came close to beating them in the 50-over WC last year, but a once-in-a-generation knock by Maxwell spoilt that dream run. Well, the jinx is now broken, and this win has opened Group 1.

In Group 2, the USA has been brushed aside, and England has made their way into the Semi-finals. The second spot was claimed by South Africa, just hours ago, when they beat West Indies in a low-scoring thriller.

If Australia is unable to beat India on Monday, they will be eliminated, making India’s chances to claim the throne even stronger.

Indian Football is in deeper trouble

I don’t want to be that guy, but I told you so. Just hours after last week’s newsletter was published, the Head Coach of Indian Football, Mr Igor Stimac was sacked by AIFF. While the writing was on the wall, following India’s miserable performance in the World Cup Qualifiers, the exit of Stimac was nothing less than dramatic.

He held a press conference on Wednesday, attacking the AIFF and other members running the show. He gave a lot of pointers to make the Indian Football scenario better, but they are just words. When he had the chance, that is all he did - talk big, deliver nothing.

India is in a much worse position right now than when he got the reigns, and this is despite a lot of help from favourable fixtures, home games, etc.

All eyes are now on who will be our next coach, and what is their strategy to make our playing 11 stronger.

A Special Mention

Sumit Nagal reached a career-high ranking of 71 in men's singles, and a few days later, secured a spot for himself in the men's singles event at the Paris Olympics.

He has been having a purple patch, winning many championships over the last few months. While I am keeping my hopes tempered, a certain lesser-known Indian did perform a miracle at the Olympics 28 years ago, in tennis. Who knows, history might repeat.

From The Sidelines

🏏Indian Women's Cricket Team team beat SA Women's team 3-0 and lifted the series trophy.
🏓Sreeja Akula first Indian to win the singles event in WTT Contender
🥇Neeraj Chopra, coming after a break, won the Paavo Nurmi Games men's javelin throw event.
🎯Indian women's compound archery team claimed World Cup gold hat-trick.

Looking Forward

🏏India faces Australia, in a must-win game for the latter team. Watch it live on Disney+ Hotstar on 24th June, 8 PM.
🎮Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2024 Grand Finals matches are set to take place on 28th-30th June 2024 featuring 16 top teams.

I hope you have an energetic Monday ahead, free of the weightage and the sorrows of the past. Let Afghanistan’s spirited fight ignite your week ahead and may the never-say-die attitude of Sumit Nagal encompass your work too.

Here’s to sports, the ultimate truth,

Abhijit Mahida