India has proved to Australia that it is the cricket field where the real war is and knocked out Australia in back to back final matches in a nail biting finish. The Commonwealth series is now India ’s and a great all round performance by the young Indians ensured that the third final is not needed.

Chasing 259 to win, India got regular breakthroughs and fought till the 50th over to restrict the Australians and beat them by 9 runs. Praveen Kumar was the man behind the win knocking out 4 big wickets including Gilchrist, Ponting and Clarke ending with an amazing 4/46. Praveen was the man of the match.

It was a repeat performance from Sachin Tendulkar but this time the script was incomplete. Playing confidently and brilliantly, Sachin set himself up for a biggie. Having crossed 50, Tendulkar did not go for his shots, rather allowed his partners go for bigger hits. Robin Uthappa 30 (49), Gambhir 15(16) and Yuvraj 38(38) kept the runs flowing while Sachin crafted the ball around.

But Sachin had something in his mind, possibly to play the 50 overs or at least 40. But somehow the master got too much carried with manufacturing shots and played an unnecessary shot to give Ponting a catch.

India lost quick 3 wickets and could not build on the brilliant start Sachin and the top order batsmen delivered. Dhoni and Pathan faced some brilliant bowling and Pathan could manage only two or three per over as India lost the edge. Dhoni managed to get a run a ball (36) and pushed the Indian score to close to 250. India ended at 258, which would prove to a competitive total for the Australians.