MUMBAI:
Sachin Tendulkar failed with the bat but still ended a World Cup-winner for the first time yesterday as India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final.
Many fans in a capacity 33,000 crowd had piled into the Wankhede Stadium hoping to see the 37-year-old Tendulkar, on his home ground, score his hundredth international hundred. But instead the star batsman, bidding to fulfil a lifelong ambition by winning the World Cup at his sixth – and in all likelihood last – attempt, was dismissed for just 18.
However, the batsman could not hold back his tears after India’s win.
“I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Tendulkar, as his teammates carried him on their shoulders for a victory lap before adoring fans. “Winning the World Cup is the ultimate thing. It is the proudest moment of my life. It shows it is never too late. I thank my teammates who were fabulous. I could not really hold back my tears. These are happy tears so I don’t mind crying.”
Young star Virat Kohli said the victory was a fitting tribute to Tendulkar.
“This goes out to all the people of India. Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It was time we carried him.”
Tendulkar, who has 51 Test hundreds and 48 in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), produced two stylish boundaries, driving Nuwan Kulasekara down the ground and cutting him for another four. But his brief, 14-ball innings ended when he tried to steer Malinga through the off-side only to be caught behind by Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara to leave India 31 for two.
Tendulkar walked off to the kind of standing ovation usually reserved for batsmen who’ve scored far more than 18, in what was recognition of his previous great deeds rather than this innings.
Tendulkar, on his part, thanked each of his teammates and the support staff including polar explorer Mike Horn.
“I’d like to thank the support staff especially Mike Horn who joined us at the start of the tournament and was there for our last couple of games. He worked on the mental side and has helped us deal with the expectations and pressure.
“The team stuck together in the rough phases and proved people wrong who doubted our ability. Self-belief has been there but in the last two years, we have been very consistent.
“It’s been a great honour to be a part of this team. Thanks to coach Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton [mental conditioning expert].”
No fairytale finish for
record-breaker Murali
While Tendulkar cherished the win, record-breaking Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralithran bowed out of international cricket on the losing side.
Murali, who will 39 later this month, had said before the tournament he would retire after this World Cup. He went into the final with 800 wickets in 133 Tests and 534 in ODI, both world records. But in his 350th ODI a half-fit Murali was rendered wicketless, his eight overs costing 39 runs but without quite the same sharp turn that made him so difficult to face for so long.
India deserved to win:
Sangakkara
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said his team were disappointed at missing out on a second World Cup title but proud to go down to a team that deserved victory more.
“I am very proud of everyone in the team, especially Mahela Jayawardene who rose up to the occasion and put up a great hundred,” he said. “When you look at this Indian team anything less than 350 is not enough. It has been a great tournament for us. The way India played they deserved the tag of favourites. Both Sri Lanka and India will be proud with the way they have played.”
Sangakkara, who made 48, said the only way his team could have stopped India from winning the crown was to take quick wickets but that did not happen.
“India were the better side. They were fantastic tonight. The only way for us to stop India was to get at least seven wickets. Gautam Gambhir was outstanding and Dhoni stepped up and performed. We are disappointed but the better side won.”
Yuvraj adjudged man of the tournament
“This is unbelievable,” said Yuvraj who was with his captain in the middle when the winning runs were hit. “First the under-19 World Cup, then the 2007 World Twenty20. But this is the most special. For Sachin, for everyone else.
“Batting second is lot of pressure but Gautam and Dhoni played outstandingly. They played like it was a normal game. We batted like champions.”
Businesses suffer mixed Final day
Frenzied fans, ticket touts and paramilitary police promised a heady mix of carnival and caution for the World Cup final.
Television news channel NDTV said its reporter had been offered black market tickets for the sell-out game for up to $3,300 each. Many ordinary fans got into the party mood, with their faces and hair painted in the saffron, white and green of the Indian tricolor.
Cycle-rickshaw driver Sheru Khan showed his dedication by riding nearly 1,500 kilometres from northern Uttar Pradesh state to Mumbai after being promised a free ticket by a local politician. Across the financial hub, businesses were either not opening at all or closing early.
“Most offices in the area are shut, so I won’t get any customers,” said Om Gupta, a 51-year-old stall holder in south Mumbai. “It will hit my business but it’s fine for half a day.”
Ramesh Bhatt, who serves tea to office workers with three other “chaiwallahs”, said the match would eat into their combined earnings of about Rs 4,000 a day. Other businesses are expecting a windfall, with some bars charging up to $150 a head for an all-day match package.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 03rd, 2011
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