Hot favorites lived up to the expectations of a billion and a quarter by winning the world cup on home soil. This is the first time a host nation has done it. First time an Asian nation has lifted the coveted trophy on more than one occasion. And to win it for that man, Sachin Tendulkar was an icing on the cake for a nation who is mad for their idol, the man who had achieved every thing except the big prize. India has won in style and they deserved it.
Sreesanth replaced injured Ashish Nehra as India again ignored Ashwin. Sri Lanka made four changes due to Mathews’s injury. Mathews, Mendis, Herath and Chamara Silva all made way for Perera, Randiv, Kulasekara and Chamara Kapugedera. They were forced to do this huge shuffle to maintain the team balance. The match was supervised by world’s top two umpires, Aleem Dar and Simon Taufel.
There was drama and little controversy from the outset as toss had to be done twice. There was some misunderstanding over who won the toss as Sangakkara called Tails but Dhoni thought it was Heads. Ravi Shastri suggested match referee for a re-toss which they did without any more arguments. Sangakkara won the toss and happily opted to bat.
Sri Lanka started very slowly which was bizarre as both their openers had been in supreme form whole tournament. Ultra-defensive approach cost them as Upul Tharanga was undone by Zaheer Khan who had him smartly caught by Sehwag at first slip. He made just 2 runs off 20 balls. Zaheer’s first three overs were all maidens. Sangakkara arrived at the crease and looked to have a move on. Both he and Dilshan hit some lovely fours especially on erratic Sreesanth. Sri Lanka completed 50 in the 13th over.
Just when Dilshan (33 off 49 balls) looked set for a big knock, he was bowled by Harbhajan Singh when he tried a sweep shot but the ball hit his gloves and rolled on the stumps. Sri Lanka’s most experienced pair was on the crease as Mahela Jayawardene joined his captain at 60 for 2. Both played intelligently and put the innings on track. Jayawardene looked in sublime touch as he played the seamers and spinners alike with authority timing the ball crisply. At 100 for 2 after 24 overs, Sri Lanka were happily placed.
Yuvraj was again the ‘golden arm’ for India as he removed well-set Sangakkara for a 67-ball 48. He was pouched by Dhoni when he tried to cut Yuvraj who bowled a little wide and quicker. Thilan Samaraweera continued the tempo till he became Yuvraj’s second victim who trapped him LBW which was given out on review. Zaheer Khan returned to rock Sri Lanka by getting Kapugedera cheaply. They were in trouble at 182 in the 40th over with half of the side back in the hut.
At this stage Nuwan Kulasekara stepped up for his team and together with free-flowing Jayawardene he put on a valuable 66 runs in just over 8 overs. Batting powerplay was taken after 45 overs and yielded 63 runs as first these two and then Thisara Perera went for the kill. The 48th over cost 17 runs as Kulasekara hit Zaheer for a big six followed by Mahela who brought up his sublime hundred through back to back boundaries. Kula was run out after making 32 off 30 balls.
Mahela Jayawardene’s century was a classic master-piece which came off just 84 balls with 13 boundaries. He remained not out for 103 but Perera feasted on Zaheer who bowled the last over which went for 18. He hit him for 2 fours and a six on the last ball to round off the innings on a high as he made 22 runs in just 9 balls. Yuvraj was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 29 while Zaheer gave away 60 runs for his 2 wickets. Sri Lanka made a challenging 274 for 6 as an absorbing contest was expected by a full house at Wankhede Stadium at the half-way stage.
India relied heavily on their openers all tournament but Lasith Malinga stunned the jam-packed stadium by removing both Sehwag and home-boy, Sachin Tendulkar cheaply. In the very first over, Sehwag was trapped on the pads as he played a good-length delivery on the back-foot. Aleem Dar’s stunning tournament continued as his decision was upheld once again on the review. Sachin had made a fluent 18 runs with two scorching fours when he poked at an away swinger from Malinga. Sangakkara took the catch as the stadium went into pin-drop silence. It was the end of the World Cup for the little master.
Gambhir and Virat Kohli played solidly defying Sri Lanka for 15 and a half overs to bring life back into the crowd. They put together vital 83 runs for the 3rd wicket before Kohli was brilliantly caught by Dilshan off his own bowling. He made 35 off 49 balls with 4 fours. Kula earlier had dropped a tough catch at long off to reprieve Gambhir on 30. Captain cool MS Dhoni promoted himself ahead of in-form Yuvraj Singh to shepherd the innings. He took the responsibility, thrived and played a stunning captain’s knock.
Gambhir and Dhoni took the game away from Sri Lanka by sharing a match-winning stand of 109 runs in 118 balls. As Gambhir neared his hundred, Dhoni brought up his 50 off just 52 balls with 4 fours. It was a majestic innings as despite losing Gambhir, he continued unabated overseeing the chase with supreme control. Gambhir was bowled by Perera when he tried to slog him for glory, a stroke away from a world cup final hundred. He made a brilliant 97 in 122 balls including 9 fours. Sri Lanka smelled an outside chance as India still needed 52 runs off 52 balls.
But Yuvraj Singh made sure India coast towards the target without any scare. With World Cup in sights, Dhoni played a thumping cut off Perera that soared over point for six. He was running away with the match with ferocious shots as the target came close. Finally the crowd and whole of India erupted with joy as Dhoni blasted second ball of the penultimate over from Kula straight over long on for a massive six to bring up the win in style. He remained not out on a superb 91 off 79 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.
India players and coaching staff charged on to the ground in celebration as they hugged each other. There were broad smiles and tears of joy as India made it possible in front of their fans. The crowd was ecstatic and the atmosphere was electric with fireworks all around. Players lifted Tendulkar on their shoulders as they had a victory lap in the ground. Dhoni who was also the man of the match, attributed this victory to the hard work and team unity while Yuvraj was named the man of the tournament.
ICC president Sharad Pawar handed the trophy to Dhoni who held it aloft with screams of joy from his players. There were tears in the eyes of Tendulkar as he finally had his dream fulfilled which had eluded him for 22 years. It was a sad end for Muralitharan who played his last game, what a champion he was for Sri Lanka. India were worthy of winning the title but Sri Lanka too should feel proud of playing second consecutive final. But this was a moment for the men in blue to cherish for the rest of their lives. The party had just begun.
Match Result: India 277 for 4 in 28.2 overs (Gambhir 97, Dhoni 91*; Malinga 2/42, Dilshan 1/27) beat Sri Lanka 274/6 (Jayawardene 103*, Sangakkara 48; Yuvraj 2/49, Zaheer 2/60) by 6 wickets to win the World Cup
Man of the match: M S Dhoni
Man of the tournament: Yuvraj Singh
Published in SportPulse.net
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