Mumbai:
Twenty-eight years after Kapil's Devils brought the cup home, another generation - Dhoni's Daredevils - have done it again. Yuvraj Singh has been selected as the Player of the Tournament, while MS Dhoni has won Man of the Match.
This innings began with heartbreak. Much drama later it has ended with tears of joy. MS Dhoni played a Captain's knock just when all of India needed one from him. India's arguably most successful Captain ever has brought in another prize.
MS Dhoni has completed 6000 runs in one day internationals. Indubitably, he would count the runs he has scored today as some of the most important of those. He walked in with India in a pressure situation, with all of India demanding a captain's knock, and acutely aware that he had not performed at all with the bat in the World Cup 2011.
Along with partner Gautam Gambhir, the skipper kept the score ticking after the departure of Virat Kohli, brilliantly caught and bowled by Tillakaratne Dilshan for 35 when India were 114. But, there was heartbreak when Gambhir departed for 97, a mature knock that came when needed most. He was bowled by Thisara Perera and India were 223 for 4. Yuvraj Singh, who has scripted several India wins in this tournament, is out to bat.
Kohli's was the third Indian wicket to fall and Dhoni came in to bat ahead of Yuvraj Singh keeping a right-left batting combination going, put his head down to play responsibly with left-handed Gambhir, who got his fourth 50 of the tournament.
The two have took India's score across the 200 mark and not only managed to keep adding to the score with some great shots, but also put the Lankan fielders to test, forcing them to make mistakes and allow the extra run.
Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara has constantly experimented with changes in bowling, but even the mighty Muttiah Muralitharan, playing his last international match and fairly economical, has failed to make a dent.
The India innings began with a deafening silence. And if the roaring stadium went quiet when Virender Sehwag fell LBW second ball to Lasith Malinga, it was fairly funereal when local boy Sachin Tendulkar was out after scoring an exquisite 18 runs. Sachin edged one to skipper-wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara. Strike two for Lasith Malinga.
Every eye was on the board that asked for 275 to win. In the stands, the drooping shoulders of the legendary Rajinikanth said it all. Or then, the sad slump of Nita Ambani.
Then, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, stitched together a partnership of runs, with Gambhir completing his 50 in a pressure situation. He got a lifeline at 30 when Nuwan Kulasekara failed to reach the ball at long off. Incidentally, the 100th dropped catch of the tournament. He also survived a run out scare. Gambhir has also now completed 4000 runs in ODIs.
1st Innings
The Lanka batsmen built their innings steadily and with precision to finish at 274 for 6. The slog overs brought a flawless century from Mahela Jayawardena, and some fireworks from Nuwan Kulasekara and Thisara Perera. They also brought a spot of drama when Kulasekara was left stranded mid-field and a direct hit from skipper Dhoni brought the bails off. Scoring a six off the last ball of their innings, Lanka set a target that seems challenging from here.
It doesn't get bigger than this. Thirty-seven-year-old champion batsman and local boy Sachin Tendulkar ran full steam and flung himself to the ground to stop a ball from crossing the tape. The crowd roared. Watching from the stands among a host of celebs is the legendary Rajinikanth.
Zaheer Khan began his first spell with an inspired three maidens and gave away just six runs in five overs. Those stellar figures, however, were negated in his last five overs when he was hit for 54 runs. Zaheer Khan picked up two Lankan wickets as did Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh took one. With the wicket of Chamara Kapugedera, Zaheer took his 21st wicket in the tournament to become the joint highest wicket-taker along with Shahid Afridi.
India had got an early breakthrough breaking up the tournament's most successful opening pair when a seventh-over Zaheer Khan delivery found the outside edge of Upul Tharanga's bat. Virender Sehwag completed a diving catch at the first slip. (Read: Superb Zaheer buries the ghost of 4 years ago) Wickets came at regular intervals thereafter, but Mahela Jayawardane held on, scripting a good Lankan score.
Double toss and Celeb Watching
The final toss of the 2011 World Cup was won by Sri Lanka and Sangakkara opted to bat first. The toss had to be done twice as Indian skipper MS Dhoni's call could not be heard because of the noise at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. (Read: Coin tossed twice in final)
Some more goosebump moments as the Men in Blue, a packed stadium and an entire nation in homes and restaurants and even outside shops stood as a man and sang the national anthem. Among a host of celebrities at the stadium - Nita Ambani and Aamir Khan standing side by side along with spouse Kiran Rao and Mukesh Ambani, BJP patriarch LK Advani, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa too is watching the match live at the Wankhede. Bollywood celebs like Ranbir Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta are dotting the stands. Finally spotted, Rajnikant. (In Pictures: Aamir, Mukesh, Nita at Final)
S Sreesanth has come in to replace Ashish Nehra as India's second opening bowler. Muttiah Muralitharan is playing for the Lankans for one last time and Kapugedera comes in for Chamara Silva. Suraj Randiv also gets to play this match. (Read: Muttiah Muralitharan included in playing XI)
Teams
India: Virender Shewag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (c), Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth.
Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (c), Mahela Jayawardena, Thilan Samaraweera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chamara Kapugedera and Thisara Perera.
Scorecentre
Pitch report: The pitch at the Wankhede stadium has been relaid, has red soil and has been rolled evenly. Once the ball gets older, batsmen can look to seize advantage but will need to set their eyes in. Spinners will have a big role to play according to pitch curator Sudhir Naik and he reckons a target in excess of 260 is possible and will be challenging for the team batting second. Dew too, is likely to play a part towards the evening. It is expected to be a sporting track though. (Read: Determined Sri Lanka watched Team Dhoni practice)
Dial 5664441 to congratulate MS Dhoni and his boys
This innings began with heartbreak. Much drama later it has ended with tears of joy. MS Dhoni played a Captain's knock just when all of India needed one from him. India's arguably most successful Captain ever has brought in another prize.
MS Dhoni has completed 6000 runs in one day internationals. Indubitably, he would count the runs he has scored today as some of the most important of those. He walked in with India in a pressure situation, with all of India demanding a captain's knock, and acutely aware that he had not performed at all with the bat in the World Cup 2011.
Along with partner Gautam Gambhir, the skipper kept the score ticking after the departure of Virat Kohli, brilliantly caught and bowled by Tillakaratne Dilshan for 35 when India were 114. But, there was heartbreak when Gambhir departed for 97, a mature knock that came when needed most. He was bowled by Thisara Perera and India were 223 for 4. Yuvraj Singh, who has scripted several India wins in this tournament, is out to bat.
Kohli's was the third Indian wicket to fall and Dhoni came in to bat ahead of Yuvraj Singh keeping a right-left batting combination going, put his head down to play responsibly with left-handed Gambhir, who got his fourth 50 of the tournament.
The two have took India's score across the 200 mark and not only managed to keep adding to the score with some great shots, but also put the Lankan fielders to test, forcing them to make mistakes and allow the extra run.
Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara has constantly experimented with changes in bowling, but even the mighty Muttiah Muralitharan, playing his last international match and fairly economical, has failed to make a dent.
The India innings began with a deafening silence. And if the roaring stadium went quiet when Virender Sehwag fell LBW second ball to Lasith Malinga, it was fairly funereal when local boy Sachin Tendulkar was out after scoring an exquisite 18 runs. Sachin edged one to skipper-wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara. Strike two for Lasith Malinga.
Every eye was on the board that asked for 275 to win. In the stands, the drooping shoulders of the legendary Rajinikanth said it all. Or then, the sad slump of Nita Ambani.
Then, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, stitched together a partnership of runs, with Gambhir completing his 50 in a pressure situation. He got a lifeline at 30 when Nuwan Kulasekara failed to reach the ball at long off. Incidentally, the 100th dropped catch of the tournament. He also survived a run out scare. Gambhir has also now completed 4000 runs in ODIs.
1st Innings
The Lanka batsmen built their innings steadily and with precision to finish at 274 for 6. The slog overs brought a flawless century from Mahela Jayawardena, and some fireworks from Nuwan Kulasekara and Thisara Perera. They also brought a spot of drama when Kulasekara was left stranded mid-field and a direct hit from skipper Dhoni brought the bails off. Scoring a six off the last ball of their innings, Lanka set a target that seems challenging from here.
It doesn't get bigger than this. Thirty-seven-year-old champion batsman and local boy Sachin Tendulkar ran full steam and flung himself to the ground to stop a ball from crossing the tape. The crowd roared. Watching from the stands among a host of celebs is the legendary Rajinikanth.
Zaheer Khan began his first spell with an inspired three maidens and gave away just six runs in five overs. Those stellar figures, however, were negated in his last five overs when he was hit for 54 runs. Zaheer Khan picked up two Lankan wickets as did Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh took one. With the wicket of Chamara Kapugedera, Zaheer took his 21st wicket in the tournament to become the joint highest wicket-taker along with Shahid Afridi.
India had got an early breakthrough breaking up the tournament's most successful opening pair when a seventh-over Zaheer Khan delivery found the outside edge of Upul Tharanga's bat. Virender Sehwag completed a diving catch at the first slip. (Read: Superb Zaheer buries the ghost of 4 years ago) Wickets came at regular intervals thereafter, but Mahela Jayawardane held on, scripting a good Lankan score.
Double toss and Celeb Watching
The final toss of the 2011 World Cup was won by Sri Lanka and Sangakkara opted to bat first. The toss had to be done twice as Indian skipper MS Dhoni's call could not be heard because of the noise at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. (Read: Coin tossed twice in final)
Some more goosebump moments as the Men in Blue, a packed stadium and an entire nation in homes and restaurants and even outside shops stood as a man and sang the national anthem. Among a host of celebrities at the stadium - Nita Ambani and Aamir Khan standing side by side along with spouse Kiran Rao and Mukesh Ambani, BJP patriarch LK Advani, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa too is watching the match live at the Wankhede. Bollywood celebs like Ranbir Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta are dotting the stands. Finally spotted, Rajnikant. (In Pictures: Aamir, Mukesh, Nita at Final)
S Sreesanth has come in to replace Ashish Nehra as India's second opening bowler. Muttiah Muralitharan is playing for the Lankans for one last time and Kapugedera comes in for Chamara Silva. Suraj Randiv also gets to play this match. (Read: Muttiah Muralitharan included in playing XI)
Teams
India: Virender Shewag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (c), Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth.
Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (c), Mahela Jayawardena, Thilan Samaraweera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chamara Kapugedera and Thisara Perera.
Scorecentre
Pitch report: The pitch at the Wankhede stadium has been relaid, has red soil and has been rolled evenly. Once the ball gets older, batsmen can look to seize advantage but will need to set their eyes in. Spinners will have a big role to play according to pitch curator Sudhir Naik and he reckons a target in excess of 260 is possible and will be challenging for the team batting second. Dew too, is likely to play a part towards the evening. It is expected to be a sporting track though. (Read: Determined Sri Lanka watched Team Dhoni practice)
Dial 5664441 to congratulate MS Dhoni and his boys
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
