Compaq Cup 2009 Final

Now, like my other cricket post, I’m not going to give a report on the ball to ball performance. I’m just simply going to give a summary, that’s all.

I’m a big fanatic of cricket, and am crazy for every game where India plays. This was a big one, it was the final to the Compaq Cup TriSeries 2009 between India and Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, New Zealand lost two in a row and were eliminated before you know it. That just left the cousins, India and Sri Lanka.

 VS 

As many of you may know, in their league match India got creamed bad, by 139 runs. They were bowled out for 168 in less than 40 overs. That was mostly because, and I’m not trying to make any excuse, Sri Lanka got 2 more days rest than India before the match. This probably made the skipper of India, MS Dhoni, work up a new strategy against Sri Lanka. And let me tell you, it worked all right.

The Indians won the toss and elected the bat, and they definitely made the right choice. The first three partnerships were all over fifty, and Sachin Tendulkar made his 44th ODI century after hammering a 138. Both Yuvraj Singh and the captain made fifties, with the rest of the lineup supporting them. In the end overs, Yuvraj smashed the ball out of the park as usual, and finished 56 not out off 41 deliveries. As a matter of fact, in the last 3 overs, India put together 50 runs. They finished with an enormous total of 320 for 5 wickets lost, with Yuvraj standing tall on a 56. Sachin really put the innings together, what a champion bastman and idol.

The Sri Lankans got of to the best start they could possibly imagine, by Dilshan and Jayasuriya powering Lanka to the one hundred, smashing loads of boundaries, and doing it in a mere 12 overs. After Dilshan fell, Lanka started falling. Jayasuriya fell soon after, and Jayawardene added to that. Although maintaining a good run rate over 6 an over, the loss of wickets was too much to hold, and with a heap of drama, the Lions were bowled out for 273 with Harbhajan taking 5 wickets.

A remarkable final it was, the Indians dishing out payback for the enormous league match defeat. The Indians are returning home victorious with the large cup in their hands, and Sachin carrying the bike of the year, the new stylish Yamaha bike, after winning Man of the Series. The cup is done with the Indian’s heads held up high. The Champions Trophy is to begin in a matter of days. Who’s going to win that?