India wins cricket World Cup

Two thunderbolts from Lasith Malinga accounted for Virender Sehwag (0) and Sachin Tendulkar (18) after India set out in pursuit of a challenging target of 275.

Only two sides had previously won the trophy batting second and a crowd of 33,000 at the Wankhede Stadium sat in stunned silence after Tendulkar edged a catch to a jubilant Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara behind the stumps.

Tendulkar had scored centuries against England and South Africa to take his tally of international centuries to 99 and all Mumbai had been willing him to score the 100th in his native town.

Malinga had other ideas after an assured start by Tendulkar, who at the age of 37 is unlikely to play in another World Cup. But Tendulkar, the ultimate team man, was just happy to be part of a winning outfit at his sixth World Cup and he was carried on the shoulders of his team mates around the ground after the best final since Pakistan beat England in 1992.

“He’s carried the burden of the nation for 21 years so it’s time we carried him on our shoulders,” said Virat Kohli, summing up the feelings of a billion of his compatriots.

In a reminder, if it were needed, that no individual is bigger than the team, Tendulkar’s early exit gave an opportunity to Gautam Gambhir and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to take their side to victory. India became the first nation to win the event on home soil.

TWO-YEAR TARGET

Gambhir scored an assured 97 while Dhoni, who had looked leaden-footed throughout the tournament, recaptured his form to score an unbeaten 91, finishing the game with a theatrical six.

Sri Lanka’s 274 for six after Sangakkara had won the toss was largely the result of a masterly 103 not out from Mahela Jayawardene.

But after Malinga’s opening burst, Sri Lanka’s decision to drop spinners Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath backfired and Sangakkara always seemed a bowler short.

“This is unbelievable,” he said. “Tonight is going to be good night. Thank you India!”