275 !! That evening..that was the only number that mattered to more than a billion people.
The history books said the probability was very low !! After all only two times have chasing teams won the final ....no host country had ever lifted the trophy and the average score batting second at the Wankhede was 235 !! But if ever history taught us anything, then it is to expect the unexpected !! and i was sure i was in for a very memorable evening !!
The drama started from the toss, when the toss had to be re-tossed as there was a confusion. Eventually, Sangakkara won the toss and opted to bat. Sri Lanka's innings was once again held together by one of the worlds best batsmen, Jayawardene. His flawless 103 n.o and some lusty hitting by perera towards the end ensured the Lankans put up a strong score.
When Viru was out the second ball, most of my friends around me started talking about how beating Pakistan in the semi final was in itself a victory greater than the World Cup. Sachin showed a few glimpses of master class before he fell to Malinga. For a few people, seeing Sachin walk back to the pavilion was like seeing the trophy walking towards the Srilankan camp.
As Gauti and Kohli started consolidating the innings, the hopes were alive and kicking, especially with Yuvi still to bat. He was having an unforgettable tournament and scoring in the final to win the cup would be the icing on the cake !! When Kohli was out with still more than half the runs to get, i was even more shocked and worried to see Dhoni come out to bat. I still remember telling friends beside, that it would hardly take Muralitharan a few deliveries to get Dhoni. I was literally cursing the captain for demoting the inform Yuvi.
But, as fate would have it, Dhoni and Gauti started to build a partnership and almost unnoticed the duo brought the target closer and closer. When we were all set to get the fire crackers out, Gauti was dismissed for 97. It has to go down as one of the best innings played by an Indian. If missing a century by 3 runs can give India the world cup, i am sure Gauti wouldnt mind missing few more like that !!!
In walked Yuvi, with the game balanced and the threat of Malinga looming large. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, Dhoni was his usual composed self and proved all his doubters wrong with some wonderful batting under pressure. With Yuvraj offering good support, the name on the trophy was almost being written.
And then, the moment that would forever be cherished in the minds of cricket lovers across the globe, Dhoni smashing the ball to the stands and standing still !!! India had won the World Cup after 29 years !!!
I still remember hugging my dad and crying after that six. As a fan of Indian cricket i am sure that was the moment i would cherish forever.
As i watched captain cool lift the trophy, i could feel the tears in my eyes, my hands trembling and the national anthem playing on my lips. And then the celebrations started.
I celebrated as if that was my personal achievement. I jumped, cried, shouted, sang and did every crazy thing. I still remember running the length of my hall waving the Indian flag. I went and celebrated at my Uncle's place where my mom was watching the match with my cousins. And then we went around in my car, the speakers booming with ARR's Jai Ho, the Indian flag held high. It was 1 AM and the streets were full. Being hugged and congratulated by people whom we might have never met before, neither would we meet again was amazing. They were dancing, distributing sweets, singing..it was a carnival atmosphere. One year old kid wrapped in the Indian blue, children waving the flag and shouting at the top of their voices, youngsters in a frenzy, ladies on the streets at 1 AM, old people sitting in the front seat of the car, being driven around by sons and grand sons, smiling away to glory, the traffic constable holding the Indian flag and regulating traffic...every scene gave me goosebumps- then and even now as i recollect to write!!
Well, I always felt i played my part. I stuck to whatever sentiments i believed. After all it isn't always easy to sit in the same place without drinks or a loo break for 3 and half hours. And then it is also not easy to make sure the bean bag is placed in exactly the same position on the same tiles as the match before. To eat the same lunch (same menu) before every Indian match was also tough. Wearing the same clothes for every Indian match over 5 weeks without washing them was really easy, though my mom seemed to disagree. The toughest part was not to have a hair cut or shave till the final. No wonder, the day after the final, when i was back from the saloon, i looked like an addict back from rehabilitation !!!
On the first anniversary of that greatest night in Indian cricket, as i look back to that day, i am proud to say i was part of a generation which saw team India conquer the world. A fitting tribute to some of the greatest players (past and present) who played the game for the country, whose contribution can never be understood from looking at mere numbers and statistics. !!!
Jai Ho !!!
