India's Road To The World Cup Finals(2003)

India reached the World Cup finals in 2003. Let us explore the features of its journey to the finals.

Indians started their journey shakily. The won their very first match against Netherlands bit by a margin of just 68 runs. The Indians were all out for just 204 runs with only Sachin Tendulkar manging to score a half century. But a good bowling performance by Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble saved them from a humiliating defeat.

Their second match was against the World Champion Austarlians which they lost by nine wickets. The highest score of the Indian innings was 36 scored by Sachin Tendulkar. Jason Gillespie had bowling figures of 10 2 13 3 and was declared Man of the Match.

They had learnt a lesson by the two matches they had so far played and put up a good show against Zimbabwe. The scored 255 of 50 overs and got them all out for 172. Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged the Man of the Match for his fighting 81 of 91 balls.

India started improving their performance. The put up an excellent performance against Namibia. The put up a huge total of 311 with Sachin Tendulkar top scoring with 152. The achieved a 181 run victory and sachin Tendulkar was adjudged Man of the Match.

Their match against England was a slight shock for them. They scored 250 for nine with Dravid top scoring with 50. Everyone thought England would win but a splendid bowling performance by Ashish Nehra again scraped a win for India. Nehra's bowling figures were 10 2 23 6.

The Pakis were in good form that day and Saeed Anwar scored a brilliant 101 to guide Pakistan to a good total of 273. Indians were under pressure. Sachin Tendulkar scored a quick 98 (unfortunate to get out in '90s) and India again won the match with Sachin Tendulkar as Man of the Match.

India had gone into the Super Six. But now they had to play sensibly.

Their first match was against Kenya and the minnows put up a good score of 225. India were in good form and everybody thought they would win easily. But they were 24-for-3 and everyone was scared that they would lose. But Saurav Ganguly scored a brilliant 107 to guide India to a comfortable victory.

India had learnt a lesson after their match against Kenya and they put up a good show against Sri Lanka in their next match. Sachin Again unfortunately got out on 97 but Virender Sehwag scored 66 and Saurav Ganguly scored 48 to guide the Indian score to 292. Then the Indian bowling just pierced through the Sri Lankan order and got them all out for just 109. Javagal Srinath was adjudged Man of the Match for his figures of 9 1 35 4.

The Indian bowler Zaheer Khan pirced through the Kiwi top order and middle order to restrict New Zealand to 146. India won the match but played extremely slowly and reached their target in 40.4 overs.

India were in the Semi Finals and were aiming to improve their performance as everyone's heart was beating very fast.

Australia won their match against Sri Lanka by the D/L Method and wanted Kenya to face them in the finals. But India were too good for the Kenyans.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 81 and skipper Saurav Ganguly scored 111 as India posted 270 on the board. The Kenyans fought back well but lost by 91 runs and Ganguly was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Finals were in everyone's mind. Who had thought that India would reach the finals. But the opponents Australia were also very strong. They had not played very well in their recent matches but were ready for the finals. Ricky Ponting hit a brilliant 140 of just 121 balls and was assisted by Adam Gilchrist(57), Mathew Hayden and Damien Martin(88) as Australia posted 359 on the board. India were facing a huge target of 360.

All eyes were on the in form Sachin Tendulkar but unfortunately he got out on four and the Indian hopes were shattered. India fought well but nobody except Virender Sehwag(82) and Rahul Dravid(47) scored well. So India lost by 125 runs and their dream was shattered.