India Flying high

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir guided India to World Cup glory on home soil, chasing down a target of 275 under floodlights in Mumbai for a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka.

After Mahela Jayawardene’s 103 not out from 88 balls underpinned a total of 274-6 at the Wankhede Stadium, Sri Lanka had appeared in excellent shape.

Lasith Malinga removed Virender Sehwag and local hero Sachin Tendulkar to reduce India to 31-2 in reply, before Gambhir took control of proceedings.The left-hander shared stands worth 83 with Virat Kohli (35) and 109 alongside Dhoni to turn the tide in the hosts’ favour. He missed out on a century, bowled for 97 after advancing to Thisara Perera, but a perfectly paced run chase was completed in the penultimate over by a huge six from Dhoni, who finished on 91 not out.

India’s triumph ended a 28-year wait to add a second World Cup victory to their inaugural success in 1983, while Sri Lanka, the winners in 1996, have now lost in the last two finals.