The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final was played between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India on April 2, 2011. With Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hitting a towering six in the penultimate over India won the final by six wickets. The sweet victory came after 28 long years, giving India its second title. The colors of celebrations that started immediately had the hues of unity all over.
Millions of Indian cricket fans prepared for that big occasion-at homes, offices, playgrounds, streets, restaurants and cinema houses. A local holiday was declared for Mumbai. People congregated at all possible public places with big screens showing the live match and cheered the home team on at every moment. Nameless, faceless crowds identified by just one thread, one religion and one language called cricket.
The Indian Republic has 28 states and seven union territories with most of them uniquely differentiated by culture, ethnicity, language and religion. But when it comes to cricket and Team India, they all become one unified whole. Indian. television news channels were showing scenes of celebrations from all major cities and towns across the country and everywhere you seemed to see the same charged people, the same colors and the same language.
The final had many twists and turnarounds. Sri Lankan batsmen were under a lot of pressure for most part of their innings. The Indians cheered Team India for exceptional fielding and bowling. When Sri Lanka ran amuck in the last five overs reaching a challenging total—almost match-winning for Sri Lankan bowling standards—the Indians were a little disheartened, but never lost hope in their team and religion.
Chasing 275 for victory, India lost the dazzling opener, as Sehwag in just the second ball of the innings and then Sachin Tendulkar—the living legend looking for his team’s win and his century of international centuries—fell too a little later. There was pin drop silence in the stadium, in the streets, in the playgrounds and across homes.
Article comments
1 - STM
Congrats. As an Aussie, I'm shattered. Lost the Ashes, then the World Cup.
As a cricket lover, I'm stoked (even by the Test cricket from the Poms this year). The Indian team is awesome at the moment. They've always been up there with the best batsmen and fielders in the world, but their bowling is now superb too.
The limited overs format has benefited hugely from the Indian Premier League, which might be a reason.
Or, maybe, that every Indian boy is born with a cricket bat in his hands.
Good on you guys.
2 - Viktor Belskiy
I wonder, what will Indian do instead cricket, if to imagine that one day it would be eliminated? Which activity will be the most popular in this country? BaseBall? Bodybuilding?
3 - Chinmay Chakravarty
Well, with 1.2 billion support Cricket can never be eliminated! And then, there are more sports--hockey, football, badminton, tennis, chess,athletics including boxing and some local varieties like Kabbadi and all. Cricket is most popular due to the beauty of the game and India's consistent success. Thanks and why the doubt!
4 - S.T..M
Hmm, can't see Indians ever not liking cricket. I've never met an Indian bloke who wasn't fanatical about it.
There's your answer.
5 - amanda wyles
Great to see India win the world cup. Priceless the Aussies losing this and the ashes. hope they can find another skipper like ponting.