An encore in resounding fashion

15 months after Dhonis men became No 1 Test side, India wear ODI crown beating same opponents

Remarkably coincidentally, in the same city and against their same opponents, though in a different but adjacent stadium, India crowned themselves the champions of the one-day format too on Saturday night, once again realising a dream that had been conceptualised the previous year.

Their six-wicket conquest of a sporting, spirited Sri Lankan side catapulted India to the status of World Cup champions, a status that befits the courage, intrepidness, ambition, drive, determination and hunger of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s unflappable warriors.

For the last year or so, India have actually visualised playing the final of the World Cup at the Wankhede stadium. Within the team, there was always a feeling of ‘when’ we play the final rather than ‘if’ we play the final, and that self-belief and positive thinking had as huge a role in this epochal triumph as undoubted skills and tremendous talent.

Only time will tell what exactly this World Cup success will do to Indian cricket. It’s no secret that Sachin Tendulkar was inspired by the epic deeds of Kapil Dev’s team in 1983. Perhaps, a whole new generation will be motivated to embrace the game and new heroes will emerge in time to come, but for now, it’s but fitting that the current heroes be lauded and treasured, cherished and admired and respected for daring to dream, and for possessing the wherewithal to translate that dream into sweet reality.

In the immediacy of victory being brought up by their courageous, unflappable skipper with a giant six over long-on, it was obvious for everyone to see the spirit of togetherness that existed within the set-up. Tears flowed copiously as people sunk into each others’ arms in unbridled joy and no little relief. Players sought one another out and marked the moment with screams of delight; the contributions of the coaching and support staff weren’t forgotten either, the oneness that every member of the team has been talking about so apparent on such a momentous, emotionally charged occasion.

The calming influence of the captain, the inspirational presence of Tendulkar, the electrifying resurgence of Yuvraj Singh, the continued incisiveness of Zaheer Khan – these were all massive factors that swept the team forward, but this triumph wasn’t a result of occasional individual brilliance. Inevitably, some parts will pull their weight more, but collectively, the sum of the parts contributed to a magnificent whole that gathered unthinkable momentum as the tournament reached its climax.

Unfounded fears

Fears that India might have been drained mentally, and might have lost some of the cutting edge after successive victories over defending champions Australia and arch-rivals Pakistan in the quarters and semis respectively, were largely unfounded.

Inside the first 45 minutes of the final, India set stall and sent out a strong message, that they weren’t there to make up the numbers but that they were desperate for success. Their weakest suit, their fielding, turned their biggest inspiration on the day as Yuvraj, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina flung themselves around to cut off some 25 runs inside the first ten overs.

The fielding remained of a consistently high standard all the way through, even when the bowling was taken apart at the death. Their quest for the most successful chase in World Cup finals hit a brick wall with the early dismissals of Virender Sehwag and Tendulkar, but as they have in the recent past when they have conquered the most demanding adversity, India unearthed multiple and different heroes to make light of a most daunting run-chase.

You just can’t but help admire the tenacity and the extraordinary confidence of this team. Their numerous come-from-behind victories in all formats in all parts of the globe have instilled steel within the set-up; today, the Indians believe no situation is beyond them, no side strong enough to stop them, no hurdle too high to overcome. When the openers fell early, Gautam Gambhir put his hand up to play one of the most significant innings of his life. He was aided in his mission by the young Virat Kohli, playing his first World Cup, while Captain Fantastic added to his legend with a timely but prudent promotion, and produced a magical innings of great common sense and brute power to turbo-charge the side home.

The beauty of this triumph has been the number of contributors India have had over the last six and a half weeks. Yuvraj’s all-round efforts were acknowledged when he was named the Player of the Tournament, but India’s all-round thrust too got its due when Tendulkar and Zaheer joined him in the ICC Team of the Tournament.

Gary Kirsten deserved no less than this in his final assignment as the India coach. He has been a great unifier, a motivator par excellence who has treated adults with the maturity they deserve. The void left by the South African’s departure will be hard to fill, but he is also leaving behind work ethics and a team bonding that will stand the test of time, and stand India in fantastic stead even in his absence.

For years, India’s fans – demanding and unyielding, excitable and occasionally offensive – have stood behind the team more times than they haven’t. The team has reciprocated with a gift that has kept the faith, and raised visions of an even more glorious tomorrow. Way to go, boys!