The Cup That Counted!

Hi all... I could not help but write a post about this Cricket World Cup, for all it gave to India and to the world!

I would like to thank all the teams that played in this event. The tournament went on smoothly!

There is just one reason why I followed this mega event with great interest - SACHIN TENDULKAR! No one can deny any more that he is the greatest ambassador of any sport ever seen in the history of the world. Even a kid can recognize his wonderful smile. But not many people know the amount of charity work he has done to India! All in all, he has achieved the one glory that had eluded him... till the 2nd of April, 2011!

1. I got my first hopes when Sehwag scored 175 against Bangladesh. In 1983, Mr.Kapil Dev did it too!

2. We thrashed all the lower teams. That's the hallmark of a champion side. Ok, in group A, almost every big team did it. But then, Group A was a one-way traffic. Only Group B produced Cricket!

3. The amount of energy shown by India against West Indies was amazing. It seemed like we were preparing for the big fish - Australia! The way India strangled West Indies after their third wicket fell... that's something I will never forget! Indians were already peaking!

4. India - Australia was a gem of a match. The mercurial Ponting scored a century. If at all you looked at history, cliches like 'cometh the hour; cometh the man', 'big man for big occasions' would linger in your mind. But again, Indians proved... 'Lone man in the battlefield is no warrior'. I hated Ponting! Screw u man! Go home you flimsy sledger! Alright you r a champion batsman. My heart is India! Say hello to Steve Waugh - he is the man we all liked... and continue to do so!

5. India - Pakistan. History repeated itself. Sachin did not score 100 this time, because 'it is written'. So long ago, those things happened. But now, Pakistan was playing against INDIA, and not Sachin! I don't take away anything from Sachin's 85... he was doing another job this time - guiding the team in all ways to victory! Mr.Afridi, your team played really well. We were just better!

6. Finals... 100th Catch Miss, 99th 50-plus partnership, Gambhir's 97, his 4000 runs, Dhoni's 6000, Sachin's victory march, his home Ground, so many things to mention. Above all, India's hope on themselves was amazing after 31/2. Got to say, I was following scores alone online because that's what I always do when India is in trouble. I went to the Computer at 31/2 and came back only a little after Gambhir's wicket to see the final moments. Sri Lanka played quite well. Chasing 275 under lights in a World Cup final is by no means easy. And doing it so convincingly after losing a wicket with the score at 0... that is something that can be done only by the REAL champions. Also, DHONI'S commitment came to the fore when he batted at 3 down. It was a great team effort! It was a spirited show of Cricket. Well done Team India!

"This goes to you Sachin!"

453 One Day Internationals, 18111 ODI runs, 5 previous World Cup campaigns... Finally ONE WORLD CUP triumph! No one deserves you more than this!

"Sachin carried the burden of Indian Cricket for about 21 years, I think it's time we carry him" - Virat Kohli

"There are two types of batsmen: Sachin and the others" - Andy Flower

I am not qualified enough to say anything about you. But still, "Thank you for BEING!"

Proud to be Indian! Happy to live in your era Sachin!

Arunkarthik