India wins the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Yesterday, India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the thrilling ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final, and ended the 28-year long wait for the World Cup since 1983.

According to the score card, team India won by scoring 277 runs losing 4 wickets in 48.2 overs, while Sri Lanka made 274 in 50 overs with a loss of 6 wickets, on Saturday, in the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India.

Dhoni struggled for team India’s victory
While the early dismissal of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar made the innings harder, the excellent 97 of Gautam Gambhir and brilliant unbeaten 91 of Captain Mahendra Dhoni restored the innings and led India to a historic win, with 10 balls to spare.

Though Tendulkar's 18 deprived India of enjoying the 100th international century of the ‘Little Master,’ both, Gambhir and Dhoni struggled hard to achieve the goal.

Saturday’s final was a worthy start for Sri Lanka with Mahela Jayawardene, standing the first player to score a superb 103. However, it was a sad ending of the amazing career of Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka off-spinner.

It was a very competitive total in the end
Sehwag was trapped in front of his stumps on a full straight delivery from Lasith Malinga, while his fourth over with the new ball worked as a masterstroke for Tendulkar’s swipe outside the off-stump.

The partnership of Gambhir and Virat Kohli did not stand up to the mark, as Kohli with a score of 35 was superbly caught one-handed by Tillakaratne Dilshan.

But, Dhoni’s decision to come to bat before Yuvraj Singh was the right move for the team. The captain did not lose his focus even after getting a side strain.

“It was a very competitive total in the end, but India's batting came through. Gambhir took a risk or two, he should have been caught, but he settled down when Dhoni came in - and Dhoni batted magnificently. They call him Mr Cool here, he never flaps and his temperament stood him in good stead. It's a good result for 50-over cricket,” commented former England batsman, Geoff Boycott on Test Match Special.

Sri Lanka captain, Sangakkara’s trick of throwing the ball to Kulasekara instead of Muralitharan after 46 overs back-fired, as India took its advantage and scored 11 runs.

India became the first host country to win the Cup, while Dhoni played the most wonderful innings of his life.