Every Indian should be proud of this day which is none other than Apr-2 2011, As we the Indian Team have lifted the Cricket world cup 2011 after 28 years of International cricket. The day determined an excellent cricketing skills on that Peculiar day in which Indians deserved to win the Finals held on Wankhede stadum, Mumbai, India.
Myself along with my colleagues (Trendsetters-Our Cricket team name) planned to go for a small outing in order to enjoy watching the final match together. We fixed Pondicherry as a place for an outing on that day.We all gathered around 8.00 am in the morning outside our office building and all were ready to windup in the next few minutes in the van which we have booked in advance.
By 8.20, We started from our Office (Nandanam) to Pondy and on the way, We halted for our Breakfast, Wherein we had idly, Dosas, Puri etc and then taken a slight rest in the hotel after which we left the place.
Around 11.10, We have reached Pondy. As soon as we reached the destination. To start with, All decided to go to temple (Vinayakar temple), Then to Aurobindho Ashram and then to shopping....
Here, The humour takes place in temple which is regarding a temple elephant. As I was busy in taking the snaps in my mobile I failed to notice the real elephant which was just behind me damn close. In fact I thought it was just a statue like but on the movement of its trunk (Thumbikkai), I came to know it was a real huge elephant which was behind me and then moved to a certain distance from it and taken its snap too.
Then we moved to Aurobindho Ashram by walk from temple which is just a km distance at the max. I should say that the Ashram is damn silent and was maintained in a peaceful environment that too near a beach.
Then we went for shopping certain goods and drinks etc accordingly after which we reached over a resort at around 1.30 p.m. We had a delightful lunch in that resort. It was a hut like resort which is too calm in its environment wherein we had television too in it. We all were awaiting the beginning of dazzling finals.
At around 2.10, Match was about to start. Toss was on and due to the cunning sangakkara, It was put again and in which lankans were to bat first.
Don't forget to see the smiling face of Cricket Thala Dhoni though sanga cheats !!!
I was expecting India to bat first as we have a good batting line up due to which we could post a decent score and can fix a difficult target for them. But to my unexpectation, Sri Lankans decided to bat first.Tharanga and Dilshan were the openers to start with the bat and my favourite Zaheer to open with ball. We all were watching the match with more anticipation to lose wickets early for them. However first wicket (Tharanga) fell in 7th over of Zaheer to the first slip who was nevertheless dashing opener Sehwag. Next coming to crease is cunning Sanga who played a decent knock of scoring 48 runs just 2 short to his half century. His cunningness proved in vain once he fell in hands of Dhoni off Yuvaraj ball and dashing Dilshan too fell in Wickets of Harbhajan when he tried to sweep and misses out for a clean bowled.
At the end of 17th over, They managed to score 63 runs with the loss of 2 wickets and sanga is yet on the crease.
Next coming on to crease is a dangerous batsman a man in form during recent series who is none other than Jayawardene who played an excellent knock of 103 runs off just 88 deliveries.The duo then captain and Vice-captain could maintain a partnership of 60 runs. Though sanga got out, Jayawardene took responsibility on his shoulders to build more runs to his team with the help of other players like Samaraweera, Kulasekara and Perera to put forth a target of 275 for us. Samaraweera was coming on to a form at which he fell leg before off Yuvaraj. As Umpire failed to give out, Yuvi implored skipper Dhoni for a review in which he was successful.Then comes the Perera a tall all rounder who smashed 22 runs off just 9 balls in which he hit one huge six and three boundaries.
Note : Jayawardene though a centurion failed to hit one huge six from his knock of 103 not out.
Henceforth, Due to the excellent knock of Jayawardene, They were able to set a target of 275 runs for India which is bit tough to chase.
I looked very disappointed at this time as it would be a tough target to chase. But to the stands of Dashing Sehwag and Sachin, I expected, We could chase, But let's see in this blog what happens further. After the first half of the match, We had a snacks in the resort and take a short break as our players did.
Here comes the second innings which was to open with two classic players Sehwag with bat and Malinga with ball. I was expecting the first ball to be a boundary from Sehwag but my expectation gone in vain and to my unexpectation, He fell in the next ball of Malinga leg before the wicket. It was plumb out as we can see in Tv, But without consulting Sachin on the other end who may knew, Sehwag has asked for a Review and the review was not fair in the hands of Sehwag in which he has been declared out. Malinga jumped in joy when he dismissed dashing opener in his first over.At this stage, I lost 10 % of hope. However Gambhir placed a boundary off facing his first ball of Malinga which sehwag failed to do so in that match.Sachin too fell off Malinga in the 7th over to Skipper Sanga and hereby we were lost two early wickets for just 31 runs.As Sachin got out, Our Superstar Rajini, Mrs. Ambani gave a standing applauds in respect to his cricketing career.,Malinga was in complete excitement at this stage.
So, I thought, Rest of the match were in the hands of Young talented players like Kohli, Raina who were about to play first world cup matches in their career.This would be the right chance for young talents to shine and prove their skills. After the loss of 2 Wickets, Kohli came to crease. He was just 22 years of age at that time when he was playing but he is consistent in his performance however. Both Delhi walas Gambhir and Kohli need to maintain good partnerships in order not to lose the game was the thought provoking in my mind at this point.
They were able to maintain partnership to some extent(Around 85 runs) till 22nd over with a score of 114 runs when Kohli fell to Dilshan off a stunning catch by himself in the very next delivery after the splendid cut for a boundary in the same over. At this stage, I got bit disappointed as partnership between the duo breaks. I was expecting now it's the team spirit of unity in which all should play their significant role in winning this game. Next to crease was Yuvaraj. I thought he should play a vital role now to carry forward.
But Surprisingly It was Dhoni who came at No.5 ahead of Yuvaraj. Actually, Yuvaraj was a man in form for the whole series. So I got bit disappointed as Dhoni may waste balls at the initial stage. But he has vanished away my imagination in which he played a brilliant captain's knock on that day.Dhoni initially started his innings very slow on one hand and on the other, Gambhir keep on rotating strike and added runs to the team.Dhoni once he captured the Pitching tendency, started to rotate runs too.He scored 50 runs off 52 balls after which there was not even a smile on his cheeks. There was a smooth Partnership going on between the duo which was around 110 runs. Both were well settled on a track as they have studied the pitch.
At this point, Gambhir went for an unnecessary shot in which he was clean bowled by Perera. Gambhir was just 3 runs short of a century. However he played a valuable innings though failed to get century. Next to crease was Yuvaraj Singh. At this pont, It is difficult for a new player to score as he need to study pitch accordingly. Required runs at this stage was 52 runs from 9 overs which was not bit tough as Dhoni studied pitch very well and still Raina to come on crease. So, I hope we could make it. Yuvaraj too played a decent innings as his previous matches he played in world cup 2011 and was able to score 20 runs.
Here comes the momentum, From 2 overs, 5 runs required. Yuvaraj gives a strike to Dhoni for a single and so boundary required. I was expecting boundary as Dhoni is on strike, Always he is fond of getting boundaries as a winning shot and to my satisfaction, It was a huge six from Dhoni which crackled the entire Wankhede stadium and it is the Wonderful moment in the resort too as everyone of us celebrated the victory against Sri Lanka.
Questions to be raised : -
After winning the match, Dhoni exclaimed that If we had not won this game, Then he should reply to media that Why was Sreesanth picked up for Final game as the pitch is to the welfare of Spinners and not for pace. So why not Ashwin instead of Sreesanth. Also Why has he came ahead of Yuvaraj to crease,a man in form. I suppose since he (Dhoni) has good batting records against Sri Lanka, He would have come forward to take the burden on his shoulders and proved his excellency which paid him the reward. But now none can question him as he played a decent and splendid knock of Captain's innings of 91 runs not out in just 79 balls that too in huge World cup finals 2011 to chase a tough target of 275 runs in just 48.2 overs with 10 more balls to spare and 6 wickets in hand. It was a cherishing moment for whole nation as we are going to lift this huge momentum of World champions in International cricket after 28 years of Cricket history.....
Finally, Sachin comes out running with a lovely smile and others lifted up Dhoni for a splendid captain's knock. Gambhir who played a Icy cool knock under pressure is to be applauded too.with Kohli on the other end who maintained partnerships at the front end along Gambhir is to be specified without fail. Tears of joy came from few Indian players namely Sachin, Yuvaraj, Bhajji. Meanwhile Tendulkar is being carried on the shoulders of Virat Kohli. Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan and Harbhajan hold him from the side. The team takes the victory lap. Tendulkar holds the Indian flag aloft. He can't stop smiling. He checks with Kohli and Raina, who are carrying him, whether they are ok. More laughter. He stays on top. The lap continues. The flag waves. The crowd roar and cheers like us in the resort..............
WORLD CHAMPIONS - INDIA !!!
At last we made it... Dhoni & Team made it...YES OUR BOYS MADE IT...
After 1983,after lots of prayers, hopes, hardwork our team made it...
Congrats TEAM INDIA!!!
Our young boys made it for THE GOD OF CRICKET - SACHIN.
CHAK DE INDIA...
NO ONE CAN BEAT US...
PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN...
At last, Dhoni gets the cup, the team is with him in the podium and fireworks begin. The Indian team roar and roar. They pose for the pictures. As in Tv, Indian team won, In our Resort too party started which results in breakage of 4 bottles I guess as none could control our emotions at that precious moment. Our plan of watching cricket together in an outing with our team Trendsetters did not go in vain as we all celebrated a lot and lot............................
This was one of the most memorable day in my life which was filled with full of Enthusiasm and surprise.
Hope you guys like my update....
Comments are always welcome about the same........................................
Regards,
