Match of the tournament: Undoubtedly, the finals played against Sri Lanka. It had all the ingredients of a thriller. High stakes-the World Cup, a worthy opponent -Sri Lanka who appeared to have messed up their chances batting first, recouping to set a stiff target in the last five overs. Heart-ache--Sehwag and Sachin out in quick succession, leaving the Indian fan wondering whether it was all over. Flourish- Dhoni's last ball six that brought down the curtains and his far away look captured by the cameras. The final had it all.
Best innings: Raina's unflustered cameo against Pakistan in the semi-finals, set up the game nicely for India. Gambhir innings in the finals run a close second. However, the way team India was playing, gave the impression that if not for Gambhir some one else would have stepped up.
Best ball: Munaf slow leg cutter that bowled Razzaq, during the India vs Pakistan, World Cup semi-final. It put paid to whatever hope the Pakistan team had on over running the Indian total.
Biggest disappointment: Losing to South Africa. There is no two-ways to look at it. The Indian team choked against the "chokers".
Key to India World Cup 2015 campaign: Plan for Zaheer's replacement. Devise a sound strategy. Identify and persist with the team that fits that strategy.
What are your takeaways?
04/04/2011
03/04/2011
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 team of the tournament
ICC has released the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 team of the tournament made up off familiar suspects.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 team of the tournament: Sachin Tendulkar (India), Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, WK and captain), Mahela Jayawardena (Sri Lanka), AB de Villiers (South Africa), Yuvraj Singh (India), Shane Watson (Australia), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Dale Steyn (South Africa), Zaheer Khan (India), Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka). 12th man: Tim Southee (New Zealand).
As expected. India has the largest representation with the familiar name of Sachin Tendulkar. I do not know what has made Kumara Sangakkara worthy of being the Captain. For me the best captains of the tournament was Shahid Afridi or Vetorri. The New Zealand captain was saddled with an average team and yet made it to the semi-finals. Similarly, Afridi had a team that was ready to implode. However, he still brought the team to the semi-finals.
The inclusion of Mahela and Sachin appears based more on their reputation than for any consistent performances. One concludes this team was made to appease a particular quota and is purely an political exercise.
Dedicating the World Cup to Sachin, India and all that
I know I am a minority, but tell me why the Indian players carried Sachin on their shoulders during the first lap around the stadium. I am also at a loss to understand who let his children join the victory parade.
Surely, it is time the nation as an entity comes out of its Sachin fixation and start giving the likes of Gambhir, Kohli, Raina,Yuvraj and Dhoni their due. It is also time we stopped attributing victories to Sachin’s experience or presence in the team.
Surely, it is time the nation as an entity comes out of its Sachin fixation and start giving the likes of Gambhir, Kohli, Raina,Yuvraj and Dhoni their due. It is also time we stopped attributing victories to Sachin’s experience or presence in the team.
India Wins World Cup-2011
* India overcome Jayawardane and Malinga challenge
* Gambhir anchors India innings
* Dhoni pilots India to victory
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck a six to bring the World Cup to India on Saturday after 28 years. Chasing a target of 275, India won by 6 wickets and with 10 balls to spare at the Wankhede stadium, Mumbai, thus becoming the first country to win a World Cup on home soil.
Dhoni and Gambhir were the architects of the successful run chase. Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh ably supported them.
Winning a controversial toss, Sri Lanka went on to post a competitive total. Mahela Jayawardene paced his innings beautifully to score an unbeaten 103 and helped Sri Lanka reach 274. However, the India batting over ran the target even though Lasith Malinga provided the Sri Lankan’s with a perfect opportunity by getting rid of Virenedar Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar cheaply. Sadly, the Sri Lanka bowlers were unable to capitalize on the breach and appeared to have lost hope once they confronted a resolute Gambhir and tigerish Dhoni.
Gautam Gambhir came in at a time when the Indian run chase could have either become bogged down or crashed like a house of cards. He played an innings that slowly but surely brought India back in control by completely nullifying the Murali threat. He was always on the look out for runs and rotated the strike in such a way that gave Dhoni sufficient breathing space to find his form. Unfortunately, with his century a stroke away, Gambhir lost his head and lost his wicket.
Thankfully, Dhoni and Yuvraj carried on and completed the formalities. As usual, the BCCI reduced this sublime moment, by immediately announcing that the Indian team members will receive one crore each. They could have done better by announcing this in a meeting felicitating the Indian team.
* Gambhir anchors India innings
* Dhoni pilots India to victory
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck a six to bring the World Cup to India on Saturday after 28 years. Chasing a target of 275, India won by 6 wickets and with 10 balls to spare at the Wankhede stadium, Mumbai, thus becoming the first country to win a World Cup on home soil.
Dhoni and Gambhir were the architects of the successful run chase. Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh ably supported them.
Winning a controversial toss, Sri Lanka went on to post a competitive total. Mahela Jayawardene paced his innings beautifully to score an unbeaten 103 and helped Sri Lanka reach 274. However, the India batting over ran the target even though Lasith Malinga provided the Sri Lankan’s with a perfect opportunity by getting rid of Virenedar Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar cheaply. Sadly, the Sri Lanka bowlers were unable to capitalize on the breach and appeared to have lost hope once they confronted a resolute Gambhir and tigerish Dhoni.
Gautam Gambhir came in at a time when the Indian run chase could have either become bogged down or crashed like a house of cards. He played an innings that slowly but surely brought India back in control by completely nullifying the Murali threat. He was always on the look out for runs and rotated the strike in such a way that gave Dhoni sufficient breathing space to find his form. Unfortunately, with his century a stroke away, Gambhir lost his head and lost his wicket.
Thankfully, Dhoni and Yuvraj carried on and completed the formalities. As usual, the BCCI reduced this sublime moment, by immediately announcing that the Indian team members will receive one crore each. They could have done better by announcing this in a meeting felicitating the Indian team.
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