India woke up on Thursday wishing for two things - to see Sachin Tendulkar score his 100th century and for Dhoni & co to win the high-stakes quarterfinal. For 18 overs, it seemed as if both wishes would be fulfilled, as Tendulkar batted with highest poise while scoring 53 and crossing 18,000 runs in one-day internationals. His dismissal meant Indian fans had to settle for one. But no one was minding too much. With a mouth-watering semifinal beckoning against Pakistan at Mohali, and the opportunity of a slot in the final at Mumbai, Sachin still has the opportunity to make history in the grandest of settings.
For the fourth game in a row, Yuvraj Singh was the man of the match as India ended Australia's stranglehold on the World Cup. Fittingly, Yuvraj completed the match with a four before screaming his lungs out in exultation; Indians across the world were doing the same thing. The Aussies won in 1999, 2003 and 2007 but they'll be returning home empty-handed this time. For good measure, India avenged their thrashing in the 2003 World Cup final at Johannesburg, the last time the two teams played in the World Cup, exactly eight years ago on March 23.
Yuvraj Singh kept his emotions in check till the final runs were scored, after which he let out a victory roar
Ponting, who scored a century then, scored a century again at Motera, but this time it was in vain. Over the past few months, Ponting has looked a shadow of the imperious player who savaged India in 2003. But when the stakes were raised, he lifted his game. His 29th ODI century wasn't fluent or spectacular, and he often inopportune his shots. But it did showcase what a great player can achieve through sheer bloody-mindedness.
It wasn't easy for India-but then, against the Aussies, is it ever? Sachin's dismissal off a delivery that looked doubtfully close to being a no-ball had boosted Aussie hopes. Yuvraj and Suresh Raina preferred to Yusuf Pathan-were the last documented batsmen left with 74 runs to get off 75 balls. Thankfully, Raina justified his selection, scoring a valuable 34 off 28 balls as Yuvraj coasted to 57 off 65. The duo kept its cool as, for once, the Aussies wilted under pressure. Before the match began, Ponting had said that 250 would be a sensible target. It was but it wasn't ungettable.
ICC World Cup - Fans Photos
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - All Photos
For the fourth game in a row, Yuvraj Singh was the man of the match as India ended Australia's stranglehold on the World Cup. Fittingly, Yuvraj completed the match with a four before screaming his lungs out in exultation; Indians across the world were doing the same thing. The Aussies won in 1999, 2003 and 2007 but they'll be returning home empty-handed this time. For good measure, India avenged their thrashing in the 2003 World Cup final at Johannesburg, the last time the two teams played in the World Cup, exactly eight years ago on March 23.
Yuvraj Singh kept his emotions in check till the final runs were scored, after which he let out a victory roarPonting, who scored a century then, scored a century again at Motera, but this time it was in vain. Over the past few months, Ponting has looked a shadow of the imperious player who savaged India in 2003. But when the stakes were raised, he lifted his game. His 29th ODI century wasn't fluent or spectacular, and he often inopportune his shots. But it did showcase what a great player can achieve through sheer bloody-mindedness.
It wasn't easy for India-but then, against the Aussies, is it ever? Sachin's dismissal off a delivery that looked doubtfully close to being a no-ball had boosted Aussie hopes. Yuvraj and Suresh Raina preferred to Yusuf Pathan-were the last documented batsmen left with 74 runs to get off 75 balls. Thankfully, Raina justified his selection, scoring a valuable 34 off 28 balls as Yuvraj coasted to 57 off 65. The duo kept its cool as, for once, the Aussies wilted under pressure. Before the match began, Ponting had said that 250 would be a sensible target. It was but it wasn't ungettable.
ICC World Cup - Fans Photos
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - All Photos
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