It was all there on the 2nd of April at the Wankhede. India defeated Sri Lanka in the most keenly contested World Cup finals since 1996. India had done the impossible, by defeating Australia and Pakistan in back to back knock out game in the quarters and semis only to fix a date with the sublime Sri Lankans in the finals. Sri Lanka had clinically dismantled both England and New Zealand in their knock out games coming in to the finals.
There wasn't much to choose from between the two teams in terms of line ups. Both teams were fielding legends on the brink of retirement. Both teams also had supremely talented wicket keeper captains in Dhoni and Sangakkara. Hard not to bring the 1996 semi finals into focus which India lost in Calcutta after Sri Lankan spinners made a mockery of our middle order. Unpleasant scenes followed, crowds aiming missiles on Lankans, Vinod Kambli crying in the open. None of that was to be this time at the Wankhede.
Presidents from both nations were in attendance to witness the spectacle. After the fiasco at the toss, Indians were put to field by Sangakkara. Zaheer bowled an excellent opening spell to the circumspect Lankan openers. Wickets stemmed the flow of runs. Jayawardena chose the biggest occasion to make a strong statement, he scored a fabulous 103*. Powerful surge in the slog gave Sri Lanka a confident 274 to defend. Malinga got both Sehwag and Tendulkar in his first spell. The crowd was shunned into silence. But Gambhir, Kohli put up a workmanlike stand to deny Lanka any more success on the trot. After Kohli's dismissal to a profanity spewing Dilshan, Dhoni joined Gambhir in what would now be called one of the moves that is going to be talked about for years to come. Both put on a fine 109 run partnership to almost shut the Islanders from the game. When Dhoni launched Kulasekara's second ball of the penultimate over for a huge six through long on, India couldnt have lost the game.
The moment was savoured by Dhoni. His eyes set on the ball till it landed in the crowd. The celebrations began. Dhoni did a small jig, collected a stump as souvenir and hugged Yuvraj. Youngsters in the team streamed in to the playing area and huddled Yuvraj and Dhoni. The crowd had gone beserk so had all of India. Crackers went off at the Wankhede and the rest of India. It was Diwali all over again. There were no disagreements here, India was one. Everyone flooded the streets and the ecstasy was evident. Youngsters carried Tendulkar on their shoulders and did a lap of honour. Kohli played a crucial role with his fine 35 in the finals but what he said after the match is what is going to stay in people's minds. Every member acknowledged that the victory was a tribute to Tendulkar.
Indian cricket team had won the World Cup and so had their 1 billion + fans world over. India had well avenged the 1996 debacle with the Championship win over the same opposition. Every time India takes field in the next four years, they will do so with the tag of World Champions attached. 28 years later India attained that glory. Special mention of valuable contributions made by Ganguly, Dravid, Kumble, Laxman and the coach courageous Gary Kirsten towards instilling confidence in this team.
An excellent observation and dissection of the fervour and sheer momentum that this historical match will be associated with. Aditya Vaidyanathan is indeed spot on with the way he spells it out so emphatically.
ReplyDelete