India on top of the World

As soon as Mahendra Singh Dhoni brought up India’s victory in the final of the 2011 cricket World Cup with a huge six, the entire nation erupted into wild celebrations with people pouring out on the streets, bursting fire crackers, shouting slogans and waving the tri-colour. It was the biggest party on earth to mark the triumph that had eluded the nation for the past 28 years. The win was even sweeter as it came after most had lost hope of a victory after the crucial wickets of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar fell early. The victory target of 275 set by Sri Lanka was not easy either, especially considering the pressure cooker scenario of a World Cup final. Only two sides had won the coveted trophy batting second before last night’s epic battle and a home team had never won the title before. But, the 33,000-strong crowd at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai would have settled for nothing less than a win.
Tendulkar had scored centuries against England and South Africa to take his tally of international centuries to 99 and all Mumbai had been praying for him to score the 100th in his native town. However, Malinga had other ideas and after an assured start by Tendulkar, who at the age of 37 is unlikely to play in another World Cup, had him caught behind the stumps. But Tendulkar, the ultimate team man, was just happy to be part of a winning outfit at his sixth World Cup and he was carried on the shoulders of his team mates around the ground after the best final since Pakistan beat England in 1992. "He`s carried the burden of the nation for 21 years so it`s time we carried him on our shoulders," said Virat Kohli, summing up the feelings of a billion of his compatriots. In a reminder, if it were needed, that no individual is bigger than the team, Tendulkar`s early exit gave an opportunity to Gautam Gambhir and captain Dhoni to take their side to victory.
Dhoni, who joins Kapil Dev as the only two Indian captains to lift the World Cup, said the team had set their sights on the World Cup 18 months to two years ago. "Whatever we were doing on the field we had a long-term goal," he said. "Just by having a target in mind doesn`t mean you will win the World Cup.” "We prepared well for the World Cup, we tried to keep each and every individual fit. We tried to keep the best XI in the best form.” "We peaked at the right time, we wanted to win it for each other." "We played like champions and we deserve to win", player of the tournament Yuvraj Singh declared. "We batted like champions and we saved a lot of runs on the field," Yuvraj said after he was handed Player of the Tournament award by ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat. Yuvraj, who had said that he was playing the World Cup for a "special person", dedicated his award to the team, his two gurus and parents.
"This (winning the 50-over format World Cup) is unbelievable. Under-19 World Cup, then Twenty20 World Cup but this is the most special," he said. "(This is) for Sachin, for everyone else in the team. I want to dedicate this to my Guru Ram Singh and Guru Ajit Singh and my parents and friends," he said. An emotional Sachin Tendulkar admitted that Saturday was the "proudest day of my life". "Couldn`t have asked for more. This is ultimate. It is the proudest moment of my life," said Tendulkar in an emotionally choked voice. "I thank the team for putting up a fabulous performance and playing consistent cricket," the maestro added. Tendulkar who did a lap of honour on shoulder of his teammates said that there was tears in his eyes once Dhoni hit that six. "Yes, they were happy tears. So I don`t mind. We have stuck together through ups and down," stated the smiling legend. And as the match ended the party had just begun.

Wild celebrations erupted every time a Sri Lankan wicket fell and then with each boundary hit by India`s batsmen. Cheers became louder after Dhoni completed 6000 runs in one day cricket and then reaching his half century, sending esctatic fans into a frenzy. "This night will never to be forgotten", said a neighbourhood of Dhoni. It was Diwali once more on the streets of Mumbai, the venue of the final, as fireworks lit up the night sky and the playing of musical instruments like drums reverberated throughout the city as the "biggest party on the planet" began.