My approach to cricket has been reasonably simple: it was about giving everything to the team, it was about playing with dignity and it was about upholding the spirit of the game. I hope I have done some of that. I have failed at times, but I have never stopped trying. It is why I leave with sadness but also with pride. -Rahul Dravid Full Farewell Statement

He is one of the cricket heroes that I admired as I grew up. Much more than the others who constituted the unshakable middle-order of the Indian Dream Team.

He did his job without much fanfare, distraction or ego. There are a lot of things one can learn just by watching him on and off the ground. And many of qualities  and values that he stands for are applicable to us in everything we do.

I would definitely love to read his auto-biography (if he decides to write one).

Since the 90s, India has been looking for something which will unite every Indian together. Something which will join us all. We found cricket. We needed something to support their country at. We found cricket. The team’s popularity is a reflection of our national ambition, of pride in national achievement. This Indian victory has been the first one that my generation has seen. Dhoni and his men are the heroes for a new generation.

It was a proud moment when Dhoni hit the winning runs in style with a huge SIX into the packed stands. It was as if he wanted to prove something to the world. That moment will be forever etched in a billion minds.

To savour the winning moments, I have made a photo album consisting of a collection of pictures from Cricinfo and a few other sources.

Here a few articles and blogs that I’m linking to, that relate to this sweet victory.

• Two Cups: Then and Now. Comparing the 1983 victory and the 2011 victory. Hindustan Times.
• Mature India Refuse to be Beaten. Cricinfo.
• Perfect Timing by Dhoni. Cricinfo.
• The dive that defined Gambhir. Cricinfo.
• The cup of joy overflows. Cricinfo.
• We felt the pressure:Dhoni. Cricinfo.
• Players’ Reactions. Cricinfo.
• Can We Deal With This? Chronicles of Dementia.
• Synergy Leads to Victory. Bagrat.
• The baton Passes. And How!
• The Best world Cup since 1992
• The day we won the cup again.
• Cricket World Cup – The Writer’s Verdict. Gaurdian.co.uk
• The Cup That Cheered. TOI
• The Second Coming. TOI
• Dhoni’s Team epitomizes a New India. Mail Today.
• Behind India’s World Cup. The Hindu.
• Expert’s Verdict. Telegraph.co.uk
• The Dazzlers, The Forgettables, The Surprises. The Daily Maverick, South Africa.
• Cricket World Cup – Lessons and the Best XI. The Roar. Australia.
• Yuvraj’s War Cry and Afridi’s Roar. Cricinfo.
• Ten Performances that lit up the world cup. Cricinfo.

I feel that the tour must continue fairly promptly, even if England take a break to let things calm down and return after Christmas. England owe it to India and their fans to demonstrate that life must go on after such senseless carnage. The cliche about not letting the terrorists win can sound trite, but it is a valid one. Even though reports suggested that the terrorists were seeking British and Americans, the bulk of those who died or were wounded were Indians. England should stay and compete as a mark of respect to them.

Naturally, the protection of the England players is paramount to the ECB. I am sure that everything will be done to ensure their safety. It might be wise to move the second Test from Bombay. But our shared humanity and the demonstration of the continuation of normal life in the face of those who want to take away our freedom is also important. If we wanted to ensure that everyone was 100 per cent safe from terrorist attacks all the time, no one would travel on trains or enter restaurants in urban areas. The cancellation of the tour wouldn’t remove the threat, but nor, I feel, would its continuation enhance the threat.

There is no use in conducting the rest of the ODI series especially after these threats, and a 5-0 whitewash. But the Test Series has to go on in order to show the people that cricket can help in restoration of peace.

Life has to go on, otherwise we become paralysed by fear. We live in a dangerous world but generally the security services protect us. Playing a Test match is no more dangerous than attending the market. The best tribute to those who died in the latest shocking attacks would be to play on in their memory.

Post- IPL, batsmen seem to have become all the more powerful. Most of the guys have an impressive strike rate. But what has happened to the bowlers? Is the game becoming more and more batsmen oriented. The magic of the ball in the hands of great bowlers is slowly fading with the batsmen becoming more confident to attack the ball. They are now ready to play any kind of delivery, even the ones which were considered too dangerous in the recent past.

IPL has really been an great advantage for India. Considered as a poor third world country a few years back is now considered as the country which is using its money muscle to create an impact world over. IPL has brought back the nation’s pride by being a massively rich tournament which all cricketing nations are looking forward to. Hats off to the BCCI for such a wonderful tournament. And a special thanks to Subhash Chandra(Zee TV) for taking the first step in starting it all.