The apprehensive five-run triumph over sub-continent rivals Pakistan in the finale at Johannesburg, led India to clinch their first major trophy since 1983, prompting euphoric celebrations all around the cricket-crazy country.
A series of chaos in the Indian team surfaced following a flop show in this year’s fifty over World Cup, following an ongoing long search of a new coach and star players opting out, critics rated the team as a mere spectator to the Twenty20 spectacle. Proving them all wrong, the young blood under Dhoni’s direction sidelined all such remarks reinforcing the growing belief, that the team cannot be undervalued and can test the best.
Man of the match Pathan along with the new-ball bowler Singh took three wickets each and Pakistan, who started well, tumbled to 152 all out in reply to India’s 157 for five.
Jubilant India captain Dhoni said:
It was a team effort and the way the boys responded was really great. Everything needed to build a team was there. The guys were really determined because they did not do well in the last World Cup. But we enjoyed playing in this tournament, which is very important, and the players had confidence in each other.
For Pakistan it was Misbah who threatened to steal victory from India at the death with four sixes in his valiant 43 and just needing one blow for victory Joginder Sharma’s off-side delivery saw him caught in the hands of Shreesanth at fine leg.
Yet again, Pakistan was unable to scrub off the World Cup jinx of never winning a contest against India.
Via: BBC
