It is a magnificent moment for all the youngsters in and outside India including the player of Cricket Team, in a country where cricket is considered as religion and Sachin as God, this biggest thing is happening for the first time in their life. Because the last time in 1983 when India won the world cup, many of us young crazy fans were not born.
Though India had lost the toss after a mess that happened there. With the toss it also lost the opportunity to bat first, which was supposed to be more favorable in these circumstances at Mumbai.
India, which was branded as the team of experienced batsmen and weaker bowling attack did a good start with bowling, with Zaheer Khan bowling 3 maiden overs (without giving any run) and one wicket in his first spell.
Sri Lankan team looked in pressure and wasn’t playing their best. While the run rate was hovering between 3 to 4 runs per over, chasing the runs was looking an easy task for Indians.
It was in the last 7 overs with the help of Jayewerdene’s smart 109 runs knock, Sri Lankan almost scored around 70 runs, thus taking the total to a challenging score of 274.
It was India’s turn. Crowd was happy, India had made runs like 330, and 300 before. With the strong batting line up it seemed a very easy task but only before India’s most aggressive batsman Virender Sehwag got out for 0 in the very second ball of the second inning. He became the victim of Sri Lanka’s aggresive bowler Malinga.
Things were trying to come to normal, but before that could happen India got another blow in the form of the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, who is the hero of this world cup and there was a time when the whole Indian team was dependent on him. When Sachin Tendulkar used to get out, all other Indian wickets used to fall like a pack of card.
But young talented batsmen of India who took over the command didn’t let Sri Lanka watch falling pack of cards. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli who came next, stabilized the conditions with their 83 runs partnership with frequent boundaries .
Virat Kohli was later catch and bowled by Dilshan. Kohli drove and tried to get it back past the bowler, towards long-on, but Dilshan just sticked his right hand up in the air, almost in front of the non-striker’s face, and plucked a magnificent catch!
It was the Indian captain who came next, the captain was criticized by many because of his poor form in the tournament. But it was his day and he came to prove his capabilities, Dhoni with 109 runs partnership with Gautam Gambhir had shown India that victory is not far away.
Gautam Gambhir was bowled by Perera, he missed his century by 3 runs but added a brilliant contribution for the team.
And then came Yuvraj Singh, the man who is known as mister dependable. They say that Yuvraj Singh plays his best knock when India really needs him, he has been the match winner for India a numerous times. Either with his part time bowling or aggressive smart bowling. In quarterfinals the way he played to knock out three time consecutive world champions, Australia, Ricky Ponting was amused and was all praising. this guy.
At the exit of Gautam Gambhir, people were sad, but those who had lost hope after the exit of Sachin Tendulkar were now convinced that now victory is possible.
Dhoni and yuvraj with frequent boundaries established a small required partnership and when only 6 runs were needed to win in some 11 balls, Dhoni hit the full toss delivery and sent the white ball flying over long-on. Indian contingent went mad. The dressing room erupted with joy. Dhoni proved to be a match winner. He definitely played the captain’s knock. Dhoni had a poor batting record in World cups. 34 was his highest till now, but with 94* in this inning he concluded the match with a victory and with shutting the mouth of his criticizers.
India won the match after 28 years, and most probably in ICC international ranking, India is no. 1 in both tests and ODi matches. Congratulations to India. No game which India played in this inning were easy one sided, the struggle and the mindset of Indian players showed that they might not be the strongest but they are determined. This determination took them to this wonderful victory. Dream of the players to win the cup for Sachin Tendulkar is completed. The “little master” or “master blaster” now has another record in his inventory.
With this victory, India also becomes the first country to win at the home.
HATS OFF!!
See what the players are saying after Winning: Reaction of Indian Cricket Team: After Winning the World Cup
See the crazy Dynamic Reactions of fans while the match was on: Time Line of Dynamic Reactions of Cricket Fans During the Match; India-Sri Lanka World Cup 2011 Final
Scroll down if you are looking for comment form, your comment is very much appreciated!!
Visit The World Reporter for discussion on this post. Or you may like to know what others are saying on this topic.