Man of the Match: Irfan Khan Pathan
Man of the Series: Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi
There's something about India and World Cups in South Africa. The last time India played a World Cup here, it reached the final.
Australia were too good in that 2003 final, but this time there was no denying a hungry Team India, minus big names but overflowing with infectious exuberance. Holding their nerve to win a match that made a rollercoaster ride look like a yawn, the team won the final by 5 runs and wowed the world. Then it was time for a victory lap around the field, tricolour held proudly aloft even as skipper MS Dhoni bared his chest.
It was a fitting finale to a tournament that has been high on thrills, and a fitting triumph for a team that believed in itself when hardly anybody else did. Led by a cool captain who urged them to just enjoy themselves, the players went out and had a blast — and soon, all of India had joined the party.
"I'd like to thank my young team, which has been amazing," said a beaming Dhoni after the match. "No one expected us to win, and now we deserve a big celebration." What made him choose Joginder Sharma for the final over?
"Bhajji wasn't sure, he wasn't getting his yorkers 100% right. I thought I'd give the over to a bowler who wanted to make a mark at the international level. It really didn't matter to me if we didn't win, because we'd given it our best," said Dhoni.
Rival skipper Shoaib Malik thanked the people of Pakistan "and Muslims all over the world" for their support before acknowledging that "we played badly and the Indians bowled superbly."
The BCCI, quick on the ball, announced a bonus of $2 million to the team and Rs 1 crore to Yuvraj Singh for his six sixes in an over. Generous? Not when you consider that the players have restored pride to Indian cricket.
Many have also redeemed themselves. None more so than man of the match Irfan Pathan, bowling again with the swing, verve and canniness that made him such an exciting prospect before he underwent a horrendous slump in form. He's back, and clearly loving it.
"We deserve it, specially after what happened at the (50-overs) World Cup," exulted Irfan. It was a doubly special day for the Pathan family, with Irfan's elder brother, Yusuf Pathan making his debut after Virender Sehwag was ruled out with injury.
source
Man of the Series: Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi
There's something about India and World Cups in South Africa. The last time India played a World Cup here, it reached the final.
Australia were too good in that 2003 final, but this time there was no denying a hungry Team India, minus big names but overflowing with infectious exuberance. Holding their nerve to win a match that made a rollercoaster ride look like a yawn, the team won the final by 5 runs and wowed the world. Then it was time for a victory lap around the field, tricolour held proudly aloft even as skipper MS Dhoni bared his chest.
It was a fitting finale to a tournament that has been high on thrills, and a fitting triumph for a team that believed in itself when hardly anybody else did. Led by a cool captain who urged them to just enjoy themselves, the players went out and had a blast — and soon, all of India had joined the party.
"I'd like to thank my young team, which has been amazing," said a beaming Dhoni after the match. "No one expected us to win, and now we deserve a big celebration." What made him choose Joginder Sharma for the final over?
"Bhajji wasn't sure, he wasn't getting his yorkers 100% right. I thought I'd give the over to a bowler who wanted to make a mark at the international level. It really didn't matter to me if we didn't win, because we'd given it our best," said Dhoni.
Rival skipper Shoaib Malik thanked the people of Pakistan "and Muslims all over the world" for their support before acknowledging that "we played badly and the Indians bowled superbly."
The BCCI, quick on the ball, announced a bonus of $2 million to the team and Rs 1 crore to Yuvraj Singh for his six sixes in an over. Generous? Not when you consider that the players have restored pride to Indian cricket.
Many have also redeemed themselves. None more so than man of the match Irfan Pathan, bowling again with the swing, verve and canniness that made him such an exciting prospect before he underwent a horrendous slump in form. He's back, and clearly loving it.
"We deserve it, specially after what happened at the (50-overs) World Cup," exulted Irfan. It was a doubly special day for the Pathan family, with Irfan's elder brother, Yusuf Pathan making his debut after Virender Sehwag was ruled out with injury.
source
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