By Adv. Vinayak D. Porob
From the photographs published in the newspapers, it appears that the celebrations suggest the trophy has already been won. The manner in which the celebration is being carried out creates precisely that impression—arms raised, emotions overflowing, and a sense of finality that ordinarily accompanies championship glory. Yet, the irony is unmistakable: the tournament is far from over.
What makes this spectacle particularly striking is the contrast with genuine achievement. United Brothers have won the trophy twice in the Advocates Cricket League, yet never indulged in such exaggerated displays of triumph. Success, when earned repeatedly, brings with it a certain composure. It teaches restraint, humility, and the understanding that celebration has meaning only when the final contest is truly won.
Merely reaching the semi-finals appears to have been such a monumental struggle that it is being projected as a crowning moment. One is compelled to ask whether the journey itself was so arduous that even partial progress feels like ultimate victory. If reaching the semi-finals is being celebrated as though the championship has already been secured, then it surely stands as the most telling irony of the entire Advocates Cricket League.
Sporting competition thrives on aspiration, discipline, and respect for the process. Premature celebration not only undermines the spirit of the tournament but also reflects a lack of faith in what lies ahead. The semi-finals are not a destination; they are a test. They separate contenders from champions.
True champions allow their achievements to speak for themselves. They wait for the final over, the final verdict, and the undeniable proof of supremacy before they celebrate. Anything less risks turning ambition into arrogance and competition into caricature.
(The writer is a player of the United Brothers cricket team, which tops the table in the Advocates Cricket League 2025-26)
