India’s FIBA win - a tale of divine intervention and mitigating pain

Elated by her last-minute winner, Shireen dedicated the win to her parents who were in attendance as India clinched a thriller against Kazakhstan to lift the Division B title.

Published : Jul 29, 2017 22:02 IST

Limaye: ‘I was going to cry, but had to stop myself as I didn’t want to cry in front of the home crowd’.
Limaye: ‘I was going to cry, but had to stop myself as I didn’t want to cry in front of the home crowd’.
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Limaye: ‘I was going to cry, but had to stop myself as I didn’t want to cry in front of the home crowd’.

An emotional Shireen Limaye, who sunk a last-gasp shot to give India the FIBA women’s Asia Cup (Division B) title, stated that it took some heavenly intervention to get the job done. “I’m speechless. People say that on that last play, God’s hand was on my head... Doing this in front of my home fans was amazing,” Shireen said.

The multi-faceted Maharashtra hoopster, who has also represented the India national netball team, added, “I saw the clock, it said four seconds to go. Everyone was expecting something from me, because I had the momentum. And then it went in – it was unbelievable. I was going to cry, but had to stop myself as I didn’t want to cry in front of the home crowd.”

READ: FIBA Women's Asia Cup: India lifts Division B title

After the match, Shireen hugged her parents, who were present at the venue. “I dedicate this performance to my parents,” she said.

Skipper Anitha Paul Durai pushed herself to play through a calf injury. It proved to be the right decision. “I was in the hospital from last night until 4.30 p.m. today (an hour before the match started), due to a severe calf-pull. I took a painkiller and finally made it. I wanted to be with the squad because the junior players were a bit nervous. I wanted to be there to motivate them,” she said.

Coach Zoran Visic, whose contract expired with the conclusion of this tournament, said that he is open to extending his tenure. “Talks are on. Let us wait and see,” Visic said.

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