A billion people... just one dream!!! Ye Cup Humara Hai!!!

What a match! What a match!!! Still can't believe it..... Yes, we did it... We've finally achieved what we had set out for. Yes, the cup is ours now!!!

It's been 28 years since India lifted the World Cup Trophy in 1983 at Lord's. 28 long years of waiting finally comes to an end tonight. In the euphoric atmosphere of the Wankhede Stadium India won the 10th World Cup final by four wickets with 10 balls to spare. And the winning runs came off the bat of Captain Cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni who hit a blistering six to take India home.

Although Team India started off as favourites leading to the world cup, they had their share of hiccups before getting into the finals. First the tie against England and then the loss to South Africa gave a strong blow to India's world cup winning hopes. But India recovered quickly and they defeated Australia and Pakistan convincingly in the quarter and semi final respectively.

Today's game was huge. It's a proud moment for each of us. It's been an emotional moment for all of us especially since it was the last World Cup for Sachin and Murali ... two of the greatest players the game has ever produced.

The win was scripted in the first powerplay of the match itself. Zaheer bowled on a superb line and length in the opening spell making it almost impossible for the Lankans to score against him. At the end of the first powerplay his figures were 5 overs 3 maidens 6 runs with 1 wicket (of Tharanga). No surprise then him being the highest wicket tacker in the tournament. Yuvi and Bhajji followed suit taking wickets at regular intervals. Only Mahela put up a brave show. Had he not played that wonderful knock, Indians would have won the match rather easily. Mahela along with Kulasekara and later Perera hit some lusty blows in the batting powerplay to help Lanka post a decent total of 274.

When the Indians came out to bat, I was really nervous and I guess even Sachin and Sehwag were a little anxious. After all, the responsibility of getting those runs now rests on their shoulders. Sadly, India got off to the worst start imaginable. Sehwag got out in just the second ball of the innings. the 40 odd thousand people in the stadium went completely silent. Few minutes later, the man himself Sachin Tendulkar departed. Everyone was in a state of shock. I was so disappointed that I just turned off the TV. I just can't see India lose yet another World Cup final. I tried to calm myself down. After a while, I switched on the TV. My first reaction was ...Thank God, the match isn't over yet. Then my eyes shifted to the scorecard and it read 178-3 and I was literally over the moon then 'cause I knew now it would be impossible for the Lankans to stop India. The Lankans had lost the plot. After getting to a perfect start, they failed to capitalize on the situation and now India would make them pay for it. There was a minor hiccup when Gambhir got out but we still had our Captain Cool at the crease and he was joined by the Man of the Tournament Yuvi. And the path was set for the inevitable to happen. What a way to finish the game! Dhoni hit a powerful six right into the stands and with it India sealed the match. It was Sangakarra who won the toss but Dhoni had the last laugh.

The scenes in the stadium were just incredible. I had held my emotions for a long time but when I saw Yuvi, Bhajji, Dhoni, Sachin and Zak with moist eyes, tears of joy rolled down from my eyes as well. Sounds of crackers and fireworks could be heard in my neighborhood. Soon, the streets were flocked with thousands of people. People came in cars and bikes... singing songs and waving the tricolour... What a proud moment it was! Really blessed to be an Indian.

Yuvi can barely hide his emotions!!!

I wasn't born when India achieved its independence... neither were my parents but when India lifted the cup... when people flocked the streets with the Indian flag in their hands ...when people from different communites, from different walks of life gathered together... distributing sweets and celebrating together... I could feel what it would have been like when we got our independence... I know you might think the camparison is just too exaggerated but just look at the way cricket has united all of us... and you'll know why I said so.

Lastly I would like to say Thank You Team India. Thank you Gary ....Thanks to all the support staff and selectors and thanks to everyone associated with Team India who have helped India achieve this feat. A special thanks to the little master Sachin Tendulkar and Muralidharan ...what wonderful ambassadors of cricket they are!!!