On an immortal day at a sweltering Wankhede Stadium that was a sea of emotions, India kept its date with history. Displaying belief and character, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in a gripping final of the ICC World Cup.
Gautam Gambhir (97) and skipper Dhoni (91 not out) orchestrated a remarkable Indian comeback after Lasith Malinga had fired out the openers.
Chasing a demanding 274, India achieved the highest successful pursuit in a World Cup summit clash in style — Dhoni finishing it off with a six.
At the end of a nerve-wracking day, Sachin Tendulkar was chaired by his jubilant teammates around the arena. His World Cup dream had finally been fulfilled. Dhoni was named man-of-the-match and Yuvraj Singh player-of-the-tournament.
The Indians needed a solid foundation, but the start was disastrous. Virender Sehwag was caught at the crease and Tendulkar was caught behind, attempting to steer a short-of-a-good-length delivery that moved away.
Gambhir, when on 30, chipped off-spinner Suraj Randiv but was put down at long-off by Nuwan Kulasekara. Then ‘keeper Kumar Sangakkara, with Gambhir (on 47) struggling to get home, failed to gather a throw from deep point by Muttiah Muralitharan.
It suited India to have Gambhir at the crease when the spinners operated. Given his smart cricketing mind, he read the situation and conditions in the manner of a champion.
Virat Kohli, too, displayed resolve during a fighting 35 in a crunch situation, but was caught and bowled brilliantly by Dilshan.
Skipper Dhoni promoted himself up the order and his 109-run fourth-wicket association with Gambhir took the game away from the Sri Lankans. A tired Gambhir departed when three short of a century, charging seamer Perera and missing a heave.
Earlier, Jayawardene sizzled with an unbeaten knock of 103. He gradually sliced open a well-settled Indian attack by picking the length early and playing the ball late.
Harbhajan was square-driven with finesse to the fence. Sreesanth was glided and Zaheer gloriously cover-driven for boundaries. Along the way, he built partnerships and held the innings together.
Sri Lanka was in trouble at 182 for five when Chamara Kapugedera was deceived by a slower one from Zaheer. However, Kulasekara provided Jayawardene vital support as Sri Lanka roared back.
Thisara Perera exploded with a nine-ball unbeaten 22, whipping the final ball of the innings over square-leg as the visitor finished on a high. However, Dhoni and his men proved that the Lankan total was inadequate.
The scores : Sri Lanka 274 for six in 50 overs (Dilshan 33, Sangakkara 48, Jayawardene 103 n.o., Kulasekara 32) lost to India 277 for four in 48.2 overs (Gambhir 97, Kohli 35, Dhoni 91 n.o.) by six wickets.
Toss : Sri Lanka.
Man-of-the-match : Dhoni.
