Is there a good Indian reference for an American sports metaphor?

I would like to a dramatically describe a situation at work to a colleague who was educated in India with a sports metaphor.

Although he is perfectly aware of the rules of American football, I wanted to use a sports metaphor which would have a stronger impression to an Indian. Perhaps such as cricket?

I want to say something like, “The sales department moved the ball all the way down the field only to have the XYZ department fumble at the 1 yard line.” Is there a sports metaphor which might resonate better with an Indian?