Chak de India World Cup Winners 2nd April 2011 India Win Cricket World Cup- The New Champs after Aussie dominance in Cricket

From Kapil to Dhoni- India defeats Sri Lanka- New World Cup Winners 2011

1983, the year that Kapil and his Boys made history at Lord's, Cricket made it's entry into the hearts of the Indian Nation!

2nd April 2011, the 1983 Dream Cup fulfilled it's return to the Cricket-crazy nation called India thanks to Dhoni and his Boys, after 28 years! Congratulations Team India!!! You're the New Champs!

A gutsy 97 by Gautam Gambhir held the Indian chase intact ensuring that a good partnership was built with Virat Kohli after the quick wickets of Sehwag (duck) and Sachin (18) were taken by one of ODI's best bowlers SL Malinga. Winning the toss, or rather re-toss since Sangakkara claimed he made the winning call but was too low for anyone to hear, Sri Lanka went out to bat in the final match of the Cricket World Cup 2011. WU Tharanga and TM Dilshan, the new star opening pair of Cricket, didn't start as expected when Zaheer Khan took the wicket of Tharanga for 2 runs. Dilshan too was not his usual blazing self and was bowled by Harbhajan Singh for 33 in the 16th over.

Now comes the most experienced and stylish and talented Srilankan Duo of KC Sngakkara and DPMD Jayawardene and a partnership was slowly being constructed. While the bowlers were trying in vain to get them out, for some time the whole of India thought the game was slipping away and Sri Lanka would race away to a huge total resulting in India's defeat. That showed why this Srilankan Magnificent Pair are a world-class Cricketing Pair. However after a valuable partnership of 60 runs the Sri Lankan Captain (48) fell to Yuvraj Singh, the current Star All-rounder, when Dhoni took the catch behind the stumps. At the end of the 50th over, it was NLTC Perera playing a cameo knock of 22 from 9 balls (3 fours and 1 six) at one end while the Star of the innings Jayawardene was at the other end, with his 103 off 88 balls, which is now considered as one of the finest World Cup centuries in Cricket history. Such class, timing and talent! He displayed it all at the time when it was most needed. Sri Lanka 274 for 6 wickets in 50 overs. India need 275 to win the World Cup. Will Sachin and Sehwag do it for India?

Will Sachin and Sehwag do it for India?

When Virat Kohli (35) was caught and bowled by Dilshan in the 21st over, the game seemed to be in balance once again. However Dhoni, who promoted himself to No. 5 to the whole world's surprise leaving behind in-form Yuvraj Singh, took the responsibility on his shoulders and went for it all. Together with Gambhir, they began to steady the innings. But once more the game came to a see-saw when Gambhir fell in the 41st over after a majestic 97 from 122 balls with the scoreboard reading 223 for 4 wickets. With 52 required from 9 overs, Yuvraj Singh showed his experience by taking singles and giving most of the strike to Dhoni, who, at the other end was picking cherries by hitting 4s and 6s at will. In the 48th over Dhoni leapt to his 90s with a sixer off Kulasekara and took India to victory! Zaheer and Yuvraj claimed 2 wickets each while Bhajji took 1. For the Lankans, Malinga took 2 while Perera and Dilshan took 1 each. Muralitharan, his last ODI, retired with no wickets, though this was a man for whom wickets came in parcels. A great Bowler, a great Cricketer, Murali you are a Legend. All the Best and Thanks for all the entertainment. Hoping to see you soon in IPL!

Congrats Men in Blue the New Cricket Champions!

Some critics have quickly jumped to their roles stating the win was only a fluke as India still don't have good fast bowlers. While some others say that after Sachin, Sehwag & Zaheer retires the Indian team's weakness will be fully exposed. So now the new champions, the Men in Blue, have a tough road ahead of them.

Can they keep the winning momentum going on?
Can they retain the Cricket World Cup Trophy?
Who will be the ideal replacement for Sachin?

These are few of the challenges the Indian Team faces. But for the moment, it's Champions' Time. Enjoy Team India. You have brought laurels for the country in the sport of Cricket. You deserve it! Congrats once again! And of course, a big thanks to former South Africa batsman, Gary Kirsten, the Coach of India, for taking care of this bunch of Passionate Cricketers. And a big thanks to all the fans and supporters who helped Indian Cricket in every way. Hope this support extends to every other Sporting fields as well. Enjoy :)

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— Sumod (@Sumod_Sunny) November 18, 2013

India defeats Australia- Ponting century in vain- Aussies out of World Cup- India wins in World Cup enters Semis against Pakistan

Australia out of Cricket World Cup 2011

Finally Australia loses! India defeated the Aussies!

India have done it. First Pakistan defeated the Aussies in the Group Stage and now India defeats them in the Quarters. India now plays against Pakistan in the Semi final! Batting first, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin made a good start until the 9th over when Watson was bowled by R Ashwin. Enter Ricky Ponting, the Aussie Captain who led the Aussies to World Cup victories twice in a row, but now completely out of form, and is desperately looking for a big score especially in this important pressure match against India. Punter played a classic innings and scored his 5th World Cup 100 under pressure. With good support from David Hussey at the other end, Ponting made 104 from 118 balls when he played straight to the hands of Zaheer Khan in Ashwin's 48th over. A classic innings by a classic batsman! Aussies 260 for 6 in 50 overs. Ashwin, Khan and Yuvraj claimed 2 wickets each.

Indian Tigers chasing the Kangaroos!

After a good start Sehwag fell giving way for Gambhir who was a bit rusty in this tournament so far. Then began a good foundation. Sachin and Gambhir started to build a good partnership while Sachin also completed 18000 runs in ODIs. Just when everyone thought Sachin would get to his century he nicked one to Haddin on 53. Once more a partnership ensured between Kohli and Gambhir who registered his 50. After the loss of Dhoni who tried to go for a big one, for the team's cause, though it looked like one for the crowd and that consecutively in 2 matches, Yuvraj, the man in form, came out and displayed his talent and maturity. Along with a sensible Suresh Raina, Yuvraj steered India to the semis and in the process thumping out the Mighty Aussies out the World Cup and making way for a new Champion Nation. For the Aussies, Lee, Watson, Tait and David Hussey took 1 wicket each.

Good Luck India

On 20th March 2011, India faces Pakistan for a spot in the finals. Can Afridi and his boys do it for Pakistan? Will Dhoni's talented team do it for India? Will the viewers witness their favourite cricket war once again? Let's wait and see... In the meantime South Africa will play against New Zealand tomorrow. Good luck to both teams.

SACHIN TENDULKAR WORLD RECORD HITS FIRST ODI DOUBLE CENTURY – 200 NOT OUT VS SOUTH AFRICA VIDEO! Tributes from Famous Personalities!!!

SACHIN TENDULKAR WORLD RECORD HITS FIRST ODI DOUBLE CENTURY – 200 NOT OUT VS SOUTH AFRICA!!!

Cricket history opened a new chapter on 24 Feb 2010, at Gwalior, when Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made the first double century in Cricket One Day International against South Africa, the team with the current best bowling attack in the world. I was not able to watch the match but I read the scoreboard in ESPN CRICINFO website sitting here in Ireland.

Congratulations from Cricketers and other Sportstars, Celebrities, Politicians on Sachin’s First ODI 200- Tributes from Famous Personalities!!!

1. "Come on Sachin my friend get your 200. World record to please! You deserve it… Nervous for my good friend Sachin everything crossed for you mate… Glad I'm not bowling to him today ha ha ha."
Shane Warne, Australia Cricket, tweets his excitement as Sachin nears the double-century

2. "He should aim for more. Maybe a Test innings of 450 or an ODI knock of 250. And then he himself wants to win next year's World Cup. There is a little boy in Tendulkar who wants to keep playing. That spirit keeps him going. It's absolutely incredible how he keeps going."
Sunil Gavaskar, India Cricket

3. "Nobody else does deserve to get there. It's only Sachin who deserves to scale that peak. 200 is a big score in one-day cricket. It's not easy to get there. It took him 20 long years to get there. He has come a long way. It's Sachin's greatness. Records are meant to be broken. I heard somebody [Charles Coventry] equalled my record sometime ago. But I did not know him. It's great that my friend from Mumbai Sachin broke it. I am very happy for him."

Saeed Anwar, Pakistan Cricket, who was the joint record holder with Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe (194 not out), for the highest ODI score of 194

4. "I thought the way he celebrated when he reached his 200 epitomised the man's persona. There was no running laps around the field, no aggressive gestures, nothing over-the-top. He did what he always does, raised both his arms, closed his eyes for a moment and quietly acknowledged that it had been done."

Anil Kumble, India Cricket

5. "What an innings it was. He had come close to achieving it twice. I always felt that Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya are capable of doing that."

Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka Cricket Captain

6. "The unbeaten 200 that Sachin made at Gwalior is a benchmark for others to follow. Now, there will be lot of players who believe that they can also make 200 in an one-day international. We will wait and see."

VVS Laxman, India Cricket

7. "It was a brilliant innings and if you speak to Saeed Anwar, he would be so glad Tendulkar was the one to break his record. We all know how talented and how passionate he is about the game but it's incredible that at the age of 36 he is still going on, he plays the full 50 overs, runs hard and at no point during this knock did he look like he was going to throw his wicket away.”

Aamer Sohail, Saeed Anwar's good friend and opening partner, Pakistan Cricket

8. "Tendulkar is sincerity personified. He has made sacrifices in his life, there is a lot of dedication involved and he is very passionate about achieving something. He is like us but it's his mental toughness that sets him apart. He knows what exactly he is doing and he is strongly determined and focussed. He will bring more laurels to the country"

Kapil Dev, India Cricket

9. I was very proud to have held the record for a little while but there could be no better man in the history of the game to break through the 200 barrier. Zimbabwe versus Bangladesh.India versus South Africa. Not quite in the same bracket, are they?"

Charles Coventry, Zimbabwe Cricket, who was the joint record holder (194 not out) with Saeed Anwar of Pakistan (194), for the highest ODI score of 194

10. "It shows his mental and physical toughness. He's a player who does not throw away his wicket once he's set. He always places a huge price on his wicket."
Dilip Vengsarkar, India Cricket

11. "He is my favourite player. I had said that one day he would go on to break all batting records and now you see him scoring runs and runs."
Javed Miandad, Pakistan Cricket

12. "He has got so much class. His greatest strength is the longevity, to be able to be so successful at a young age and to still be doing the same thing 20 years on. We're blessed to still have such a great player playing this game."

Michael Clarke, Australia Cricket, didn't watch the innings, but plans to catch the highlights

13. "He has always respected the game and is dedicated to it. But I think this is not enough for him. He is hungry and I am sure he will keep creating new records. He is a dedicated student of the game and is still keen to learn things."
Ramakant Achrekar, Tendulkar's childhood coach

14. "Whatever record is seen to be impossible to achieve, he makes it possible. That's all I can say. It seems as he's getting older, he is becoming more and more mature. No wonder Sir Donald Bradman saw himself in the way Sachin bats."
Bapu Nadkarni, King of Parsimony

15. "Sachin - the greatest ever player ever - without any doubt… I salute Sachin... World's greatest sportsman. We can see him only rise. (He is an) inspiration to us all. He is the best."
IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi

YouTube Video of Sachin Tendulkar making first 200 in ODI