Cometh the hour, cometh the Champion.
Dhoni’s six over long on boundary was a moment to savior as it brought in new Champion side to the World Cricket. Fittingly, Indian team has moved to ICC World Number 1 ranking in ODIs at the end of the World cup 2011.
India’s finals against Sri Lanka showed to the world what it takes to beat the pressure and replace it with the word ‘Convincing’. Indian backs were always to the wall, once Sri Lankans posted 274. And on top of it, you lose Sachin and Sehwag so cheaply, other than Indian dressing room; no Indian would have believed the scenes that followed. Gambhir and Kohli coolly batted India out of the pressure and built a partnership which eased the tension in the dressing room. Their 83 run stand ensured that India reached 114 for 2 in 21 overs. Master stroke of M S Dhoni was to promote himself up the order and batted along with Gambhir and Yuvi, keeping the Right-Left combination till the end, which ensured a successful run chase ever in history of World cups.
The Grand Final started very nervously even before the start of the 1st Innings. The toss by the two captains did bring in some surprise behavior from Sri Lankan Captain, as
his call was not heard by match referee and Dhoni silently obliged to Jeff Crowe’s decision of second toss. Kumar Sangakkara knew the importance of the toss factor in subcontinent conditions and he was second time lucky to win it. Dhoni had a clear focus of the task at hand and it’s immaterial for this Indian team whether they are setting or chasing down the runs.
his call was not heard by match referee and Dhoni silently obliged to Jeff Crowe’s decision of second toss. Kumar Sangakkara knew the importance of the toss factor in subcontinent conditions and he was second time lucky to win it. Dhoni had a clear focus of the task at hand and it’s immaterial for this Indian team whether they are setting or chasing down the runs. Lankan lions batted first with a plan, no doubt. Dilshan’s innings was not packed with his usual flurry of boundaries. Upul Tharanga could not pierce the wall built by Yuvraj, Raina and Kohli in the off side. End result, he lost his wicket after a sedate innings of 2 from 20 balls. Fielding of Indians was of high quality, which made Tharanga innings less effective. First 10 overs of Sri Lankan innings was remembered for Indian fielding. Dilshan looked dangerous with his cautious approach, till Harbhajan delivery was directed to stumps by himself, when trying to play attacking sweep shot. Dilshan and Tharanga are successful Opening combination in this edition of world cup. Indians won the initial battle of restricting runs off the two. Restriction plan was to take their wickets cheaply.
Next came the deadly partners in form of Sangakkara and Jayawardene. Yuvraj Singh provided crucial blows to dismiss both Sangakkara and Samaraweera, after their respective partnerships 
with Mahela. When Mahela reached his individual fifty, Sri Lankan fans and dressing room hoped that he would bat till the last guiding others to post above 260. Rightly, Mahela’s wife in the crowd applauded his fifty with a message for Mahela to Stay. He did nothing wrong as he was man with a mission. Kulasekara and Thisara Perera came up with meaty blows in the last 5 (power play 3) overs and on the other end; they could see Mahela crafting a fantastic hundred in world cup final. These efforts took the score past 270 and Dhoni’s selection of fast bowler Sreesanth was on the verge of criticism from all corners. Sreesanth bowled 8 overs and Sachin’s 2 overs completed fifth bowler quota.
with Mahela. When Mahela reached his individual fifty, Sri Lankan fans and dressing room hoped that he would bat till the last guiding others to post above 260. Rightly, Mahela’s wife in the crowd applauded his fifty with a message for Mahela to Stay. He did nothing wrong as he was man with a mission. Kulasekara and Thisara Perera came up with meaty blows in the last 5 (power play 3) overs and on the other end; they could see Mahela crafting a fantastic hundred in world cup final. These efforts took the score past 270 and Dhoni’s selection of fast bowler Sreesanth was on the verge of criticism from all corners. Sreesanth bowled 8 overs and Sachin’s 2 overs completed fifth bowler quota. Zaheer’s first spell and last spell was totally contradicting, as it ensured Sri Lanka post 275 as target to be achieved by Indians. Malinga dented the spirits of Indians, when he picked Sehwag for naught. Sachin looked ominous as he scored 18 from 14 balls, but he was out to a superb low catch by Sangakkara. At 31 for 2, Kohli walked in and played with the sole intention of building partnership with Gambhir. This Partnership also highlighted the significance of Right-Left combination to disturb the rhythm. After Dilshan’s scintillating caught and bowled to dismiss Kohli, Dhoni stepped in to continue from where it left.
Dhoni’s success as captain to win both ICC ODI world cup and ICC 
T-20 world cup has got something to do with Gambhir’s contribution with the bat. If it was a fantastic innings that he played while setting a target in 2007 T-20 world cup final against Pakistan, this innings was one to remember for his lifetime during a run chase. But for the drop chance at long off by Kulasekara, Gambhir was outstanding with his stroke making. His pull shot off Kulasekara by stepping down the wicket over Midwicket, that too when Sangakkara is standing up to the stumps, sent a strong message that Gambhir is a Big match player.
T-20 world cup has got something to do with Gambhir’s contribution with the bat. If it was a fantastic innings that he played while setting a target in 2007 T-20 world cup final against Pakistan, this innings was one to remember for his lifetime during a run chase. But for the drop chance at long off by Kulasekara, Gambhir was outstanding with his stroke making. His pull shot off Kulasekara by stepping down the wicket over Midwicket, that too when Sangakkara is standing up to the stumps, sent a strong message that Gambhir is a Big match player. Dhoni grabbed the opportunity with both hands to prove to the whole world that he is the best captain in business. I could see what Afridi lost when he does not put price on his own wicket 
during the run chase against Indians in Semi finals. Dhoni’s case is exactly the same, as he stepped in not having runs under his belt. But then he knew his potential as a match winner given the perfect batting order. His Power shots through covers and other unorthodox shots were all spot on and performed at right time. Last, but definitely not the least, he brought back his ‘winning shot in form of Six’ to signal the best ever run chase in World cup history.
during the run chase against Indians in Semi finals. Dhoni’s case is exactly the same, as he stepped in not having runs under his belt. But then he knew his potential as a match winner given the perfect batting order. His Power shots through covers and other unorthodox shots were all spot on and performed at right time. Last, but definitely not the least, he brought back his ‘winning shot in form of Six’ to signal the best ever run chase in World cup history. Indians truly deserve the World cup Champions tag, as they beat defending champion Australia in Quarter final, Arch Rival Pakistan in Semi Final and Day’s favorites Sri Lanka in Finals. Dhoni was spot on, when he said that Indian team would peak in at the right time. He and this Indian team can look at the world differently now after conquering World cup 2011. Dhoni has made billion Indian fans proud of this Indian team and April 2nd 2011 is a day to remember for sure.
Regards,
Prashy.
Prashanth,
ReplyDeleteYou are all atlast trying to fall asleep and for us it is still daytime and I am savoring this victory still. It was really nice to go thru your writeup and enjoy the victory all over again.
Absolutely love this feeling. At peace atlast.
Sujatha
@Prashy: Congrats! Its Mission Accomplished. You Started Covering India Matches and And ended with a Win. Nice blog and great views were shared. First and Foremost its the rocking Moment for All Indians across the world as we are only team to win world cup at home.
ReplyDeleteComing to the Match:
Since i missed Sri Lanka batting due to work i am not in best position to comment. still i feel sanga was quite unsporting when it came to toss. The Lankan's came to bat and completed fifty overs with score of 275 on board. We did remove and pressurize the batting team at beginning but easy singles and loose overs left India under pressure.true Zaheer 1st and Last were two ends.
When it came to batting and With 279 target any team under lights untested pitch is certainly mammoth one. With Viru and Sachin out it was like game over. But the best was Both sheet anchors did well to maintain the asking rate well in reach for next. Hats OFF to Dilshan for taking a Blinder. When everyone expecting yuvraj to come Dhoni stepped in and that was the master stroke. With two OFF spinners bowling and if yuvraj comes in struggle then it might get difficult so Captain came in and proved a point. Dhoni innings yesterday was similar to Steve Waugh. Steve doesn't score often but in crunch situation he saves his team. Gambhir and Dhoni made a Big total just very much simple.
So no more technical talk for now because we won. On Inclusion of Sreesanth i would support Dhoni. Any captain on untested pitch would go for seamer. and Sreesanth being a Genuine Swing bowler is natural replacement for Nehra. so no talk of ashwin comes here. So everything went on well two legends playing last world cup with one lifting world cup in debut and other in the last. With this world Sachin equals javed mianded record of 6 world cup appearance.
Happy Ending Cricket won India won..Thank you MUMBAI for making the day so special ...
@Sujatha - You said it right. At peace for me too. Great feeling to win the world cup. Cannot get bigger than this. 1996, we came close. 2003 we screwed it up in the final. This time, Dhoni ensured that World cup stays with us. Being a hard core fan of Sachin, I was not able to hold back my tears, when he himself broke down. Virat Kohli rightly said they lifted Sachin on their shoulders, as he lifted the spirits of Indian cricket for 21 years.
ReplyDeleteWorld cup 2011 is not about Sachin Tendulkar alone, but then this World cup 2011 is also about Sachin. Every player in the indian team dedicates this victory to Sachin and that speaks a lot about him.
@Venkat - Regarding Ashwin's exclusion from the playing eleven, I get a feeling that Dhoni felt confident to play three seamers after seeing the Mumbai wicket previous day to the match. Sad to miss Ashish Nehra though, but then he did not went into the match with a guilt feeling that he should have played three seamers.
ReplyDeleteDhoni takes a decision and tries to make it right. He was no way thinking to squeeze 10 overs out of Sreesanth. He provided him the new ball to provide early break throughs. But Sreesanth is to be blamed for not stepping up to the occassion and not having the vigour in him to come back strongly in finals.
Your comparison of Dhoni with Steve Waugh is justifiable mate, as Dhoni is exactly that type, even so much now having showed how to take on pressure on the big run chase in a world cup final.
Ofcourse, a spare of thought for Murali too, but then he had his share in 1992 world cup. It's Sachin's turn, as it eluded him on two occassions earlier. Man was still fighting to possess one and Dhoni tributed him with that knock in finals.
Excellent article again! To add on to what you've said, I think the way Sanga got out was owing to a cool tactic adopted by Dhoni and Yuvi. The bugger played right into the hands of his counterpart (pun intended).
ReplyDeleteReading your article on the WC finals was like reliving those wonderful moments again and again and again... The hairs in my neck stood up for one more time and for this you deserve a miriad thanks!
@Deepak - Thanks for nice words. Yuvi was converted into a full time all rounder in this world cup. But for Dhoni's confidence on Yuvi, we would not have made him play in this world cup. As Yuvi once said, He consults Dhoni and decides on what pace to bowl at the batsmen.
ReplyDeleteIt reflected on his batting also and Man of the World cup tournament was Icing on the cake.
Mission accomplished... Never had seen Sachin so joyful... the smile he had when he held the cup...savor the moment....
ReplyDeleteI have watched the match highlights many times and don't know how many more times will I watch... esp the way Yuvi and SRT hugged each other in the ground and stood still for almost a minute... still frozen..silence speaks more than words.
India deserved to be a Champion and Dhoni take a bow:)
Nice write up... keep writing...
You have the IPL starting in few days...
@Akila - Sachin's wife Anjali mentioned in an interview that she has never seen Sachin so happy and thats the best day of their lives. Sad that IPL is disturbing the celebration days of this world cup victory. Everybody turned so emotional and to see Dhoni losing his emotion and crying told how much this world cup victory means to the team.
ReplyDeleteIf you note, most of the players were part of 2007 world cup early exit. To turn tables completely and lifting the cup means a lot to them personally. Great moment indeed. Lets re live it for many more years to come. This should not be forgotten for the next 4 years, atleast till the next world cup starts.