India power past Sri Lanka to Cricket World cup triumph

India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in a pulsating final to deliver World Cup glory to their cricket-mad population for the first time since 1983.

   Sri Lanka smashed 91 from their last 10 overs to post 274-6 in mumbai, M jayawardene making a superb 103.

     India lost V sehwag and  S Tendulkar early on but G Gambhir and MS Dhoni rebuilt the innings.

Gambhir was out for 97, but captain Dhoni's brilliant unbeaten 91 led India to a famous win with 10 balls to spare.

The skipper, struggling for form throughout the tournament,played the innings of his life and sealed the victory with a phenomenal straight six that sailed high into the stands, providing the catalyst for euphoric celebrations in the wankhede stadium.

Tendulkar's early dismissal for 18 ensured there was to be no fairytale 100th international century for mumbai's son.

But wonderful innings from Gambhir and Dhoni ensured the ''Little Master'' can finally get his hands on the sport's ultimate prize at the sixth attempt as India became the first host nation to win the Tournament, While jayawardene became the first player to score a hundred in the final and finish on the losing side.

Meanwhile, it was a sad end to the incredible career of Sri Lanka off-spinner M Muralitharan who having battled injuries throughout the event, failed to take a wicket in his last international match. 

K Sangakkara's decision to give Malinga a fourth over with the new ball proved a masterstroke as the paceman tempted Tendulkar into a swipe outside off stump and a thick edge was taken low by the captain himself behind the stumps. 

Gambhir and Kohli would have been forgiven for going into their shell but the due remained positive in seeing India to 105-2 off 20 overs. 

When the action began, India settled the faster with seamer Zaheer Kahn getting straight into rhythm. 

But although the late flurry propelled Sri Lanka to a healthy total, Gambhir and Dhoni ensured it was India who joined AUSTRALIA and the WEST INDIES as the only sides to win the World Cup more than once.

sdPAST WORLD CUP WINNERS
. 1975:      WEST INDIES
. 1979:      WEST INDIES
. 1983:            INDIA        
. 1987:        AUSTRALIA
. 1992:        PAKISTAN    
. 1996:         SRI LANKA
. 1999:         AUSTRALIA
. 2003:        AUSTRALIA
. 2007:        AUSTRALIA
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