March 2, 2007 - what a day it has been for Indian cricket!
First our senior team takes world champs Aussies to the cleaners in the first final of the tri-series and, then, our Under-19 team defeats South Africa to win the World Cup for the second time.
Not often does one hear of the same country winning two finals in a single day!
One thing that has been evident in both the finals was the attitude and body language of our cricketers. Not even for once, did the Indian players look like losing.
In the CB series final at the SCG, when ‘boxer’ Hadyen and ‘monkey’ Symonds were going great guns, the Indians never lost their cool. They kept the pressure on and, in a great move, Dhoni introduced Bhajji into the attack. Soon, both Hayden and Symonds unleashed a flurry of strokes. It was evident that the only thing they had at the back of their minds was to teach the “little weed” a lesson. But their strategy backfired on them when, in a span of two overs, Bhajji removed both the ‘boxer’ and the ‘monkey’.
After their exit, the rest of the Aussie squad, with the exception of Hussey, departed as soon as they came to the crease. With this defeat, the Indians go one-up in the best of three finals. If India wins the second final at Gabba, Brisbane then Australia would have to be content with sad farewells to Adam Gilchrist and Brad Hogg, both of whom have announced their retirements.
The other final in Kuala Lumpur was a battle of nerves and India held on to theirs till the end. Bowled out for 159 following a stifling performance by South African bowlers, India responded superbly by blowing the South African top order away before rain intervened. After resumption South Africa never got going and, it was just a matter of time before the Indian bowlers cleaned up the South African middle and lower orders ensuring a superb victory. The Indian team remained unbeaten throughout the series. After 44 matches across seven venues, there is no doubt that the best team was crowned Under-19 World Champions.
These two victories round up what can be called one of the best days for Indian cricket.
Now, we just hope that the senior team beats Aussies in the second final. That would be the perfect icing on the cake.
