Their run at this World Cup, six successive wins, has reignited hopes that the long drought will end on November 19 though, typically, with Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid in the saddle, India aren’t getting ahead of themselves.

Only Ashwin, Kohli remain

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.86%

AAP 41.43%

INC 25.71%

Submit

View All In Poll

India’s optional practice session on Tuesday afternoon wasn’t heavily populated. Among the half-dozen players at the ground was R Ashwin, the off-spinner surplus to requirement since the tournament opener against Australia. Ashwin is one of only two players—apart from Virat Kohli—to have tasted 50-over World Cup triumph previously; from the Sri Lankan camp, the lone survivor from that title clash is Mahela Jayawardene, the former skipper, now travelling as the consultant coach.

Jayawardene was the one who ensured the 2011 final didn’t fizzle out into a damp squib with a spectacular unbeaten century. From 182 for five after 40 overs, the classy right-hander hauled Sri Lanka to 274 for six with a stunning assault primarily on Zaheer Khan. In a magnificent opening spell of 5-3-6-1, the left-arm quick had rocked the Lankans but ended up going for 54 in his last five, Jayawardene helped along by Nuwan Kulasekara (32 off 30) and Thisara Perera (22 not out off 9). When Jayawardene walked off at the break to a huge ovation, he had breezed to 103 off 88 deliveries. As it turned out, it was the first—and to date, only—century in a losing cause in a World Cup final.

Also Read: Virat Kohli, the most complete batsman in modern era

Key roles by Gambhir, MSD

The result apart, Kohli (35) will have pleasant memories of his innings-stabilising stand of 83 with Gautam Gambhir (97) after Lasith Malinga had packed off Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar cheaply. Kohli fell to a brilliant caught-and-bowled by Tillakaratne Dilshan but Gambhir and, more tellingly, Dhoni (91 not out) with his first meaningful knock of the competition, powered India to a famous win on an emotional night that culminated with Kohli carrying Tendulkar on his shoulders during the victory lap.

“Sachin Tendulkar has carried Indian cricket on his shoulders for 21 years. So, it was fitting that we carried him on our shoulders after this win,” Kohli had famously said then. 

Will someone be carrying Kohli on their shoulders on November 19 in Ahmedabad?