The ecstasy of India’s World Cup feat has not died for FARAZ ANJUM, a student in Year 6, Hill House School, Doncaster, England, who wishes to record the historic event in Indian sports.
India was from the beginning one of the tournament favourites. They were going strong having just beaten Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The inform Tendulkar, Pathan and Sehwag were all picked for this supreme squad. The team was led by Captain M.S. Dhoni and Coach Gary Kirstin. This was the start of what would be a long, memorable time.
India was to play the opening fixture at home to Bangladesh. The match started well as Sehwag was going strong. Then Tendulkar and Gambhir fell and let Kohli and Sehwag do the damage both getting scores over 100 (Kohli 100 not out and Sehwag 175). The Innings total of 370-4 was more than enough to help India get off the mark as Bangladesh were 87 runs short.
This was followed by a dramatic draw against England and two straight wins over the Netherlands and Ireland. Then they came across South Africa with many inform players. The two teams were battling it out for first place. India got off to a flyer but ended up losing their last nine wickets for just 27 runs, they got a total of 296. In reply South Africa made 299 and finished top of group B. India then comfortably beat the West Indies to finish second.
THE KNOCKOUT STAGE
India was playing a team that had gone 34 matches unbeaten in world cup history until the shock defeat to Pakistan a week ago. The match started well. The Aussies got off to a great start lead by Captain Ricky Ponting scoring 105, boosting the total to 260-6. In reply the Indians got a strange start but then 2 fifties by Gambhir and Tendulkar helped the Indians catch up with the run rate. The innings was finished in style by Yuvraj Singh who got fifty and Suresh Raina.
India was now to play Pakistan in the semis. What a clash! A final in itself.
Sehwag got India to a great start hitting 5 fours against Pakistan’s strike bowler Umar Gul. 350 looked par. Tendulkar was looking for that record 50th ODI century. But despite being dropped 4 times he fell 15 runs short. India scored a very under par score of 260-9. Pakistan had done well so far. Pakistan had a great start until both openers were dismissed. Then a slow fifty from Misbah Ul-Haq forced Pakistan to exit the tournament.
THE FINAL
Sri Lanka decided to bat and got off to a poor start, losing both openers for 60 runs. Then a good knock by Skipper Kumar Sangakara helped the Lankans get back in it. It was followed by a magnificent century by Mahela Jayewardene and well supported by Thisra Pereira and Nawan Kulasekera. They helped Sri Lanka reach 274-6. In reply India got to a poor start losing Sehwag after just two balls. Shortly after Tendulkar fell and India were 17-2. The partnership between Kohli and Gambhir put India back on track. Unfortunately the Sri Lankans got another breakthrough as Kohli was taken by surprise. Skipper Dhoni, who had not hit form throughout the tournament, promoted himself above Yuvraj Singh – who had 300 plus runs and 15 wickets. The partnership was great and both were going strong but then Gambhir went 3 runs short of his century. It was up to Dhoni and he finished it off well, hitting a six of the winning ball.
What a victory for Team India. Their hunt for another World Cup ended as they claimed their second title. They became the first ever team to win the World Cup on home soil and they truly deserved it.