It’s simply an amazing feeling to join the crowd again after 28 years and keep screaming, shouting, prancing, dancing and waving flags.
It’s another moment of pride and happiness for all Indians as Dhoni and his men create history and clinch the ICC World Cup 2011 by defeating Sri Lanka in a 274 run chase by 6 wickets.
India is now the only nation to have won all the formats of World Cup cricket. The 60 overs in 1983, the T20 in 2007 and have managed to break the jinx – by comprehensively winning the 50 overs tournament as a host nation!..
Circa 25th June 1983:…. It was late evening and I still remember as a 12 year old boy, Kapil running behind and taking an unbelievable catch and after a while clinching the world cup with a big grin at Lords, the Mecca of Cricket. 28 years later, it is again late in the evening and who would have imagined that history would repeat with skipper M.S. Dhoni finishing the game in style with a huge six at long on at the modern Mecca and the cradle of Indian cricket in Mumbai. In 1983, Mohinder got Holding LBW then this time it was Yuvraj the man of tournament who along with skipper M.S. Dhoni, the man of the finals finishing the match. Back then skipper Kapil led India’s win with his bowlers and defended a paltry total of 183 against the mighty West Indies, today it was Dhoni’s turn to lead the chase with his amazing batting against another island nation Sri Lanka. In 1983, Indian team was the underdog but this time we were the favourites and the manner is which we achieved this pragmatic victory today simply speaks volumes about our progress in last few years.
2011 witnessed the two best teams in the tournament and led by the two of the finest and dignified captains. Earlier in the day, there was a major guffaw when the match referee had to re-toss the coin. India lost the toss albeit I suspect that Dhoni had won the toss first time. But in the end the toss hardly mattered. What mattered was the team that was able to build partnership, consolidate, find gaps, exploit power plays effectively to their advantage and remain composed. India bowled well and their fielding was simply outstanding.
The first ten overs cleverly tied up the prolific Sri Lankan openers. Zaheer was brilliant throughout the tournament. Today he conceded only 16 runs in 5 overs with 3 maidens and a wicket but was milked in his second and third spell. Unlike South Africa or Australia, India have never been the best fielding side but everyone threw themselves around and managed to save at least 30 – 40 runs. Yuvraj and Raina were live wires on the field between point and cover. Barring Zaheer, India probably did not have the best bowling side in the tournament either but the part timers played a pivotal role.
A partnership from skipper Sanghakarra and Jayewardene added a 50 run stand and were beginning to post a total of over 300 runs. But Yuvraj's discipline bowling got rid of Sanghakarra and Samarweera. Rarely would you describe Yuvraj as disciplined player. But this world cup has been a revelation of his talent and resilence. Jayewardene batted along with Kulasekhara and Pierra and manage to post a huge target of 274 to win. Jayewardene batted tenaciously and scored a brilliant century in 85 balls. The last batting power play fetched Sri Lanka 63 runs. Suddenly the total looked big and unattainable.
The tournaments best openers, Virendra Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan didn’t do much. Sehwag felled for a duck. Watching Tendulkar bat has been one of the great sporting privileges of the last 21 years and every Indian prayed and hoped for Sachin’s 100th century in International cricket and the world cup in his hands. The little maestro Tendulkar played some exquisite shots along with his signature straight drive but was caught behind on 18. Malinga was on cloud nine for taking the prize wicket of his Mumbai Indian captain. The entire stadium and Indians across the world were stunned and shocked.
The match was soon turning in Sri Lanka’s favour but Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli with their left and right batting combination remained focused and consolidated the innings. Kohli got out cheaply and in walked Dhoni promoting himself ahead of the in form batsmen Yuvraj Singh. That was the turning point of the match since both Yuvraj and Raina are south paw and it was important that the left/ right combination attack the Sri Lankan spinners. Like the T20 finals in South Africa, Gambhir again displayed enormous patience and determination. He tenaciously scored 97 and deserved a century. Meanwhile Dhoni found gaps between long off and covers. Both these batsmen didn't allow Murali, Malinga and Randiv to settle. Kulashekra & Pierra were relentlessly clobbered. The Sri Lankan bowlers were running out of steam and Sanghakarra seem to have ran out of options.
With Gambhir back in the pavilion, the match almost went to the wire, but it was time for Yuvraj to join the party. Yuvraj made 21 runs. Both he and Dhoni played sensible innings and in the end changed the equation in the final batting power play. Dhoni played a captains knock and scored 91 runs to ensure that Indian run chase did not falter at any point. Sri Lanka fought hard but none of their bowlers could run through the Indian batting.
The entire Indian team displayed wonderful performance throughout the tournament and Tendulkar, Raina, Yuvraj and Zaheer have been exceptional. The manner in which India had defeated big sides in the knock out stage; Australia in Ahemdabad and Pakistan in Mohali had induced more self belief, confidence and definitely the team deserved to win. Coach Gary Kirsten and the support staff deserve a special applause for inducing this belief and bringing this paradigm shift in the Indian dressing room.
Dhoni's captaincy has been fearless, bold, courageous and indeed outstanding. Although he remains calm and compose, today for the first time we saw him emoting on the ground. The tears of joy on the faces of Indian players including Dhoni reflected the kind of huge pressure the men in blue must have had. As a captain, Dhoni backed his hunches and took calls that might seem little bizarre and questionable but like a true leader showed the courage to admit his mistake and take complete responsibility. Under his captaincy India has clichéd the World Twenty20 title, have climbed to the No. 1 spot in Test cricket, and now have won the coveted ICC World Cup 2011.
The finals today also showcased the two great legends for the last time – Muralidharan and Tendulkar. Murali has mesmerized the entire cricketing world and has served Sri Lankan cricket with many memorable match winning performances. His retirement will surely create a huge vacuum. Murali couldn’t contain runs and failed to work his magic. Watching these two old masters at work has been another great pleasures of this tournament.
For the past 21 years, Tendulkar has carried the dreams, burden, hopes and expectations of a billion people and it has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to watch him play. Perhaps this would be Tendulkar’s last world cup game. And as Peter Roebuck once said, “Tendulkar’s greatness lies in the excellence of his play, the extent of his achievements and the manner in which he has carried himself past the torments and the tiredness and the backslapping and the bulging bank account and into life itself. He is a brilliant sportsman and a straightforward fellow, and has shown that the combination is possible, despite everything.” No wonder all Indians including every member of the Indian team desperately wanted to win this cup for the humble little master and fulfill his dream of winning the cup. It was difficult to avoid the tears of joy when Sachin received his medal on stage. At the same time, it was very touching and emotional to see the young turks of Indian cricket Raina, Kohli and Yusuf Pathan lifting Tendulkar on their shoulders and carrying him around the ground that incidentally happens to be in his hometown. Although Sachin was overwhelmed, ecstatic and is content to be part of the team, he will continue to remain a true champion, a modest human being and for billions of cricket lovers - The God of Cricket.
The Sri Lankans looked dejected and Jayewardene almost shattered. There were emotions in both camps but eventually the match was worthy of finals and India who performed well in all departments deserved to win.
The World Cup seems to have given new life to the 50-over game and Power plays have influenced the outcome of most matches. Having said that, the world cup has truly provided Dhoni and Indian cricket team to stamp their authority. India was expected to win. It was not a question of mere fragile hope. Nor did the enormous expectation of billion supporters and the 100th international century distract them from their purpose. And therefore its time to rejoice and celebrate with great pomp and fervour Dhoni’s leadership, Tendulkar humongous contributions, the players and support staff's efforts and the success of Indian cricket team.
Congratulations Dhoni, Tendulkar and entire Indian Team and everyone in India. Commiserations to all the other nations who tried and gave a valiant fight.
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