Dream spell

The final’s Man of the Match, pacer Ajitesh Agral, who had a dream spell of 5-2-7-2, had never even been interviewed in his life before, but today he had a queue of television cameras waiting for him. He says: “All the sacrifices that I have made are worth it.” He talks of him moving from Bhopal to Baroda for the sake of his cricket, staying away from his parents and the efforts of his departed grandfather. “My grandfather used to play hockey with Dhyanchand in Jhansi. He was good, but for the sake of the family, he didn’t pursue the sport. He wanted me to play for India and really pushed me,” he says.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja tries to discipline his locks drenched in water as he walks from the dressing room for Team India’s brief meeting with ICC president Ray Mali. Two years ago, he had played the final where India had choked against Pakistan.

“That day was traumatic,” he says. “During the break today I told the team how it feels when you miss the Cup after coming so close. I certainly didn’t want that to happen again,” he says as team physio Muthu, the only other member in the present India camp who was in Colombo with Jadeja in 2006, nods. Jadeja’s spell of 5-0-25-2 at a crucial juncture changed it all today.

Coach Dav Whatmore has seen all this before — he won the senior World Cup with Sri Lanka in 1996 — but he too thinks this one is special. “This is a terrific bunch with a terrific potential. Many of them will make it to the main team soon,” he says.

... contd.