Few years ago, India and Australia locked horns in a best of three finals at Sharjah. One man stood between the Aussies and the Trophy, Sachin Tendulkar. He has been the nemesis of the Australians for quite sometime now. At Sharjah, he scored back to back centuries to seal the Trophy for India. The attack was then lead by Damien Fleming and Mike Kasprowicz who were torn apart by the Bombay Bomber.

A lot has changed over the years. But still Sachin Tendulkar’s dominance in World Cricket remains the same. This week he displayed similar characteristic innings ( though got out for 91 in the second final ) to seal the CB series, the last of its kind. He thoroughly took control over the Australian Bowling attack lead by Brett Lee.

Robin Uthappa joined hand with the Master Blaster to put up the best opening stand for the Indians in this series earlier. They set the tone and India looked well in course for a 300+ target. Everyone who followed looked good in patches. Gautam Gambhir looked very good at the crease and looked good for a big one. But then, he fell trying to push the accelerator.

So did Yuvraj Singh. He started off hitting a six of Michael Clarke while facing just his second ball. He scored a fluent 30+ score with a couple of big hits. Sachin at the other end was pacing his innings quite beautifully without any risks. He moved on to 91 smoothly. Then he played a shot which he checked half way through. Ricky Ponting took a very good catch to dismiss Tendulkar just nine short of his 43rd ton.

Pitch Report :
The Indian innings was in a sort of trouble when they experienced a phase where they lost some quick wickets when they should have actually accelerated to post a huge score. But then they managed to score 259/9 after a couple of good overs. Michael Clarke did the trick with the ball picking three crucial wickets includidng Sachin’s wicket.

The Toss :

Australian run chase was rather disasterous when Adam Gilchrist got out for just two off the bowling of Praveen Kumar. Adam Gilchrist looked dejected to have not scored big in his final appearance. Soon Praveen Kumar sent back Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke.

Then there blossomed a partnership of 89 runs at almost run a ball between Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden. They played a similar innings even during the first finals. Australia looked on course needing just under run a ball for victory. The match turned around when Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds were dismissed by Harbhajan Singh in the same over.

The required rate started creeping when Michael Hussey joined hands with James Hopes and kept the required rate at check. They played quite beautifully. Soon Hussey fell with another 60 required. James Hopes played well with wickets falling regularly and striking some big hits on the way.

The stage was set for a nail-biter with another 13 required off the last over. M.S.Dhoni threw the ball to Irfan Pathan. He did well to concede just one off the first ball. The next ball he had Nathan Bracken caught by Piyush Chawla. The batsmen crossed over and James Hopes was back on strike. Another 12 required off 4 balls. Irfan Pathan bowled another dot ball and the onus was on James Hopes.

Then came the moment. James hopes hit the next ball straight to the fielder and the Indians rejoiced the moment.Ah!!! What a match. Surely a treat for the spectators. The match swung both the ways regularly. Ponting admitted that the Indians outplayed them thoroughly and deserved to win.

There were a few incidences that has to be forgotten like the Clarke incedence and the streaker running in twice. Andrew Symonds showed his power when he pushed down one of the streakers with his strong shoulders.

We have had some electrifying contest this time around Down-Under. It will be remembered for many incidences and events. Indians thus showed the World that the Aussies aren’t the Invincibles they were anymore.

So everything seems to have neutralised and we have had nothing short of a treat for our eyes. Ah!!! What a moment for any Indian Fan to see his team beat Aussies in a ODI Series Final in Australia after 23 long years. History Re-Written!!!

The Presentation Ceremony And Adam Gilchrist/Brad Hogg Farewell :