India Lift ICC World Cup 2011
After a generational wait of 28 years, India were once again crowned world champions as they scored 277/4 to beat Sri Lanka (274/6) with 10 balls to spare. India thus became only the third country after West Indies (1975, ’79) and Australia (1987, 1999, 2003, and 2007) to win the cup more than once.
The wait has ended, and a new legend has been born. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his intrepid warriors now stand atop a pedestal hitherto occupied only by Kapil’s Devils.
The glorious images of this magical evening at Mumbai are destined to be replayed millions of times on TV and the Net, and no matter what happens in Dhoni’s remarkable career from here, his place in the Indian cricketing pantheon is assured. Meanwhile, all of India exulted lustily on 2nd April night, and the celebrations are going to continue for a long, long time. This, after all, is a party that was 28 years in the making.
After three successive damp squibs (in 1999, 2003, and 2007), 2nd April finally produced a match worthy of a cup final. Team India created history by bucking it – not once but thrice over. No team had ever won a World Cup on home ground, no side had ever successfully chased a target in excess of 250 in a World Cup final, and no squad had ever won after a player in the opposite side had hit a century in a final. But there’s something about this squad – where previous teams would have crumbled, they soak up pressure and keep on scrapping, which explains why India are now ranked No. 1 in Tests while No. 2 is ODIS.
Set 274 to win after Mahela Jayawardene scored a sublime 103 off 88 balls, India stumbled as Sehwag was trapped LBW by Malinga off the very second ball of the innings. Sachin Tendulkar looked in sublime touch, racing to 18, but he then edged Malinga and Sangakkara came up with a peach of a catch. Tendulkar walked off to a standing ovation. A few hours later, he would be carried around all teary-eyed, to a rapturous reception, but at that moment few would have bet on it.
Gambhir and Kohli set about rebuilding the innings, while ensuring the asking rate never got out of hand. But the match still hung in the balance when Kohli fell to a superb return catch by Dilshan, with the score 114/3. Another quick wicket could have sent the innings into a death spiral.
Enter Dhoni. The skipper had struggled through the tournament. But when the chips were down, he made a statement of in- tent that resounded around the world.
Indian cricket has experienced many high points in the last few years. Climbing to the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket, the world T20 title in 2007 and ripping apart Australia’s status as invincible- there were quite a few achievements to go, but there was one big and significant void.
