Sachin Tendulkar failed with the bat but still ended a World Cup-winner for the first time on Saturday 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.
Tendulkar walked off to the kind of standing ovation usually reserved for batsmen who've scored far more than 18, in what was a recognition of his previous great deeds rather than this innings.
Tendulkar later said he could not hold back his tears. “I couldn't have asked for more,” said Tendulkar, as his teammates carried him on their shoulders for a victory lap before adoring fans at the Wankhede Satdium.
“Winning the World Cup is the ultimate thing. It is the proudest moment of my life. It shows it is never too late,” he said referrring to India's wait for 28 years for the coveted crown. “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.”
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Tendulkar was “made by God just to play cricket”. “When God made Tendulkar, he made him just to play cricket,” Dhoni said.
“From the very first ball he ever faced on the international scene, he has looked at giving his 100 per cent. Players have come and players have gone, but Tendulkar has just grown from strength to strength.”
Asked what set Tendulkar apart, Dhoni replied: “It definitely has to be his level of dedication towards the game and the intensity with which he has played for the last 21 years.
“Even today, he takes every training session seriously. He would much rather not turn up for training than joke around once on the ground. He doesn't leave anything for tomorrow.”
The captain jokingly added: “We are blessed that he is a genius.
“The two or three-hour training sessions that we have are enough to correct his mistakes else we might have been stranded on the ground forever.” — Agencies
Keywords: ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni
Congratulations to Dhoni and team for winning the world cup for India. Dhoni is an inspirational Leader, He knows the strengths and weakness of the team members. Yuvaraj is a match winner. Gautam Gambir took the ownership and played really well. Suresh Raina and Virat kohli played a vital role in the world cup. Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel supported with their excellent bowling skills.
We should not forget Gary Kirsten and the support staff who helped Team India to win the World Cup. We request Gary Kirsten to take a break and return back as a coach of the Indian Cricket Team.
Jai Ho Team India. They have done it in world cup. Kapil got us our first world cup and after along wait, Dhoni could repeat it. Now it is time for selectors to have more faith on performing youngsters and keep the seniors on roll for guiding them. What is required now is to build a team that suits the fast and slow pitch playing conditions. Even Tendulkar can again be there for the next world cup as a coach or manager and bring laurels to us in 2015 edition.
Mr P.G.Ravikumar, while commenting above has conveniently forgotten that Sachin Tendular is second highest run scorer in this WC tournament and has played crucial part in propelling our team to victory through the encounters with strong opponents like Australia and Pakistan. So no one should not take short term view based on only performance in final match with bat. Further, it's really heartening to see Tendulkar, who is 38 year of age now, still diving to save the boundaries. . . Tendulkar is great and he is the God of cricket !!! . . . I only wish if critics like Mr Ravikumar has watched the match and was in a better position to appreciate this God.
I may sound crude and senseless, If I point out that it is not the first occasion that he failed on the utmost crucial encounters. But to be fair to him, he had played his part in the tournament and could feel a sense of belonging.
It is definitely the time to go and make way for youngsters like Yusuf, Raina to cement their place in the playing X1. It will be ridiculous to continue just to create records.
In Test Cricket also, he should call it quits after the English summer. The Selectors also must have the courage to tell him in this regard and not get caught in the Euphoria surrounding him.
The World Cup is a parting gift to him and the players really meant it.
We all love u Sachin... Indian team rocks
Sachin, You deserve the support of your team and support of all Indians like us. You have made us proud all ways and we our proud of you. You are a real sportman and a real human being.
It may take years to have a cricketer like Sachin-not only for his game but also for his humility.He is God given to India as well as the cricketing world.
It is the greatest victory that every Indian can be proud of and is the greatest joy for millions and millions of Indians.
The Entire nation will be proud of the Indian Team. I would have been more happy if Tendulkar was in a position to hit his 100th Century as well in this historic match. That is a wish. Any how caption Dhoni has equated him to God. All glory to the Indian team and India.
Indeed, and there is not a more deserving cricketer than Tendulkar to realize the World Cup dream. He has been fighting our cricketing battles for 21 long years- at times alone with others falling like ninepins around him; through the dark times when his teammates were accused of fixing matches; against career-threatening pains and injuries; during times of captaining a weak side; and most importantly with his head always held high and his mighty blade doing the talking.
Even today he looked in ominous touch, before he succumbed to chasing down one from Malinga. His worthy teammates came good today, and won the day for India and Tendulkar. There is no better way to honor the cricketing contribution of this great batsman. In many ways and through two decades, this man has symbolized the changing face, attitude and work ethic of India. Once he brought hope that has now resulted in glory.
The importance of Tendulkar shall not be restricted to just cricket scorecards when he retires- he will be a part of the modern history of India.
Uber alles in Der Welt..above all in the World...We r the World..Wir zind der Welt...!!
India Rocks!!! Finally won and brought the world cup home. This could be the happiest moment in Indian History
finally achieved by the indians.
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