IT’S FINAL. INDIA VS PAK

It’s the final we dreamt about in our wildest fantasies. And as the events that made it possible unfolded, life stopped in India. A flight to London was due to take off at 1 am. The passengers begged and pleaded, and finally the flight took off only after the India-Australia semi-final had wound to its glorious, exhilarating close. Two young, fearless teams, playing with infectious enthusiasm and an innocent joy that’s been a sheer delight to watch, will face off in the Twenty20 World Cup final. Pakistan have lost just one match in the tournament. But they now face the only team that’s beaten them—Dhoni’s daredevils, minus the big guns, but more than making up for their absence with the energy of youth and a steely resolve to back themselves against anybody. India are through to the final after holding their nerve to upset Australia by 15 runs. And remember, they have never yet lost a match to Pakistan in any World Cup—T20 or ODI. Once again, man of the match Yuvraj Singh played a pivotal role, scoring the second-fastest 50 in T20 (20 balls), on the heels of his fastest 50 in any form of the game. He took 70 off 30 balls, Robin Uthappa chipped in with 34 and skipper M S Dhoni hit a quickfire 36 off 18 balls, including two massive sixes, as India recovered to 188/5. Every time the Aussie batsmen looked like they had the match under control, India grabbed a wicket to pull it back. Sree Santh had an outstanding day, grabbing 2 wickets and giving just 12 runs in his four overs. Harbhajan turned in another great performance. The other bowlers too lifted their levels as the match went into the nervewracking endgame, and incredibly, it were the Aussies who folded under pressure, managing only 173 for 7 in the end. “I’ve told the boys to just enjoy themselves, and hopefully we’ll win many more games than we lose,’’ a delighted Dhoni said later. Sure, but for now, even one win— in the next match India play—will do just fine.