Some eight years had passed since Ganguly’s boys had faltered at the last hurdle separating India and the World Cup. India had lost to Australia by 125 runs. Interestingly, the margin of defeat in the World Cup final equaled the total team score India had posted against the same opponents in the league stage during that very World Cup, held in South Africa.
The previous World Cup in West Indies was a horror for Indian fans. With Dravid at the helm of affairs, I expected the team to go the full distance. But what happened was ugly to say the least. India had to play three matches in the group stage. With Bangladesh trashing India soundly, there was desperation in the Indian camp. People were too dismayed. No wonder, Bangladesh had pulled off an unlikely victory. Worse still, India had to beat both Bermuda and the eventual finalists Sri Lanka to reach the next round. Unfortunately, the team could muster only one off the two wins. India crashed out of the world cup in the group stage. I, among uncountable fans, was left dismayed.
Now, I was to witness the World Cup 2011 final held in Mumbai. For two reasons, I would not forget it.
The first reason was the obvious one. The electric atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium could have foretold the event it was to witness. All modes of future forecasting — be it astrology, numerology or tarot card reading — all were used. All Indians wanted only one result — that of an Indian victory. They wanted to know this result.
Dhoni’s men were intimidating this World Cup, to say the least. They had lost only to South Africa this World Cup. The only blip in their fairytale journey they were going through. One last step though was left. History has never supported the hosts to win the World Cup. Even in 1996, Sri Lanka as co-hosts lifted the trophy. Now again, Sri Lanka stood between India and World Cup.
I had already booked online tickets to watch the Battle of the Blues live at the jam packed stadium. Well, don’t be surprised to know that Karthik accompanied me to the mega event’s last match. We both had rented a room in a lodge on the outskirts of the city. I had patched up with him a few months back mostly because of the affection his parents had shown towards me. They would not be able to show it anymore.
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The match was to start in fifteen minutes time. The toss was called twice — a comedy moment on such a big stage. The first time when the coin was spun, neither captain knew who had called. Hence, there was a re-toss. India was asked to chase. Sri Lanka would set a target, the re-toss tale inferred. The Lankan batsmen came out, started very slowly against the accurate line and length bowled by the Indian fast bowlers. Karthik and I were having a jolly time together with both cheering India yelling out of our lungs. However, our voice was just two of the thousands cheering like us. The fairytale of Dhoni’s captaincy had brought about India’s second World Cup in four years, the first one being the T20 world cup in September 2007. Fittingly, Dhoni finished the match with a towering six, hit towards the direction in which we were standing. I watched the ball sail over my head. The spectators went berserk. I too joined with them.
No wonder the last six off Dhoni’s bat was the image one would best describe the World Cup with, just like the unbelievable feat by Yuvraj Singh in the 2007 T20 World Cup — Six sixes off a single over versus England that had turned the match on its head and perhaps paved way for India’s ascent as the World T20 Champions.