Date: March 20, 2011
Venue: M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai
Match: Group B, ICC Cricket World Cup
Opponent: West Indies
The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, affectionately known as Chepauk, simmered under the oppressive Chennai humidity. It was a sticky, salt-laden heat that clung to the skin, distinct from the dry roast of Delhi or the cool breeze of Mohali. The stands, usually a sea of yellow for the Chennai Super Kings, were today a unified ocean of Indian Blue, though the knowledgeable crowd—arguably the most cricket-literate in the world—buzzed with a specific kind of anticipation.
This was the final league game. Group B was a tangle of possibilities. India had already qualified for the Quarter-Finals.
---
Inside the air-conditioned sanctuary of the broadcast studio, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar were dissecting the team sheets.
"It's a tricky game, Sunny," Shastri boomed, his voice carrying that familiar gravity. "West Indies are unpredictable. They have pace in Kemar Roach, they have power in Pollard and Gayle. India cannot take the foot off the pedal just because they've qualified."
Gavaskar nodded, adjusting his tie. "Absolutely. The momentum from the South Africa win was massive. That defense of 329—showed character. But there are injury concerns. We are hearing reports that Virender Sehwag took a knock on the finger in the nets yesterday. If he misses out, the balance shifts."
"And the spin department," Shastri added. "We are in Chennai. The pitch will turn. Harbhajan is a lock, but will they play the local boy, Ashwin? Piyush Chawla has been expensive. It might be time for the carrom-ball specialist to get a game on his home turf."
---
Down in the middle, the heat was palpable. MS Dhoni walked out alongside Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain. The roar from the Chepauk crowd was deafening, a wall of sound that greeted the Chennai Super Kings captain like a returning king.
Dhoni flipped the coin.
"Heads," Sammy called.
It landed Tails.
"We are going to bat first," Dhoni said, his sunglasses reflecting the harsh sun. "The wicket looks dry. It will slow down later in the evening, and spin will come into play. We want to put runs on the board and pressure them."
"Any changes, MS?" Ravi Shastri asked.
"Yes, a couple. Viru pa (Sehwag) has a sore finger, so we aren't risking him before the knockouts. Suresh Raina comes in. And Ashwin replaces Piyush Chawla. Playing at home, he knows these conditions better than anyone."
---
As the West Indies team huddled, the crowd craned their necks to see who would walk out with Sachin Tendulkar.
Walking out beside Sachin was Siddanth Deva.
"Well, looks like Deva is opening along with Sachin!" Ian Bishop says in the commentary box. "I think it is logical. We already seen him in a few tests and ODI matches opening the innings."
"It makes sense," Gavaskar analyzed. "He's in supreme form. If he gets set, 290 is a minimum."
Over 1
Ravi Rampaul took the new ball for the West Indies. He was steaming in, utilizing the early movement.
Deva took strike for the first ball. He looked calm, tapping the bat on the crease.
Ball 1: Rampaul bowled short and wide. Deva didn't try to smash it. He simply rose on his toes and punched it through the covers for three runs. Classy. Controlled.
Sachin Tendulkar faced the remaining balls. The crowd chanted "Sa-chin! Sa-chin!" praying for the 100th hundred.
Ball 4: Sachin drove beautifully down the ground for two.
Ball 6: The final ball of the over. Rampaul delivered a beauty—angled in, straightening just a fraction. Sachin, looking to work it to the leg side, closed the face of the bat a millisecond too early.
The leading edge looped gently back to the bowler. Rampaul accepted the return catch with glee.
Wicket: S Tendulkar c & b Rampaul 2 (4b)
Score: India 8/1 (0.6 overs)
The Chepauk fell silent. The God had departed early.
"Stunned silence," Bishop whispered. "Rampaul gets the big fish in the first over! Sachin is gone. India 8 for 1. Now, the pressure is squarely on the youngster Deva and the new man."
---
Virat Kohli walked out at number 3. The two young guns of Indian cricket were at the crease. This was the future of Indian cricket, on display right now.
Usually, Deva was the aggressor. But today, seeing Sachin fall and the ball moving a bit, he shifted gears. He was using soft hands, playing late, leaving the ball well.
Kohli, energetic and busy, looked to rotate strike.
For the next 15 overs, the duo put on a clinic of risk-free cricket. They ran hard—turning ones into twos, testing the West Indies fielders in the humid conditions.
"This is maturity," Sanjay Manjrekar noted. "Deva usually looks for a boundary every over. Today, he realizes the team needs stability. He is leaving the good balls and just milking the singles. He's batting like a veteran."
---
As the ball got older and the shine wore off, the boundaries started to flow.
In the 18th over, Deva decided it was time. He shimmied down the track to Devendra Bishoo, the leg-spinner, and lofted him inside-out over extra cover. It was the shot of the day—high elbow, perfect balance.
Four runs.
In the 22nd over, Kohli pulled a short ball from Sammy for four.
The 100 came up for India. The partnership was blossoming.
---
In the 24th over, Deva nudged a single to long-on.
50 for Siddanth Deva.
He took off his helmet, raising his bat to the Chepauk crowd. The applause was warm, appreciative. He didn't celebrate wildly; just a calm acknowledgment. He knew the job wasn't done.
"Another day, another milestone for the Devil," Shastri said. "He adapts. That's his greatest strength. He played the blitzkrieg in Nagpur, and today he's playing the anchor in Chennai."
A few overs later, Virat Kohli reached his own half-century with a crisp drive through mid-wicket.
50 for Virat Kohli.
The partnership crossed 100 runs. Then 120. They were setting a platform for a massive total. The West Indies bowlers looked deflated, sweating profusely in the heat.
---
The score reached 144/1. The partnership was worth 136 runs.
But in the 23rd over, Ravi Rampaul returned. He got a delivery to reverse slightly.
Kohli, trying to up the ante, went for a drive across the line. The ball sneaked through the gate and rattled the stumps.
Wicket: V Kohli b Rampaul 59 (76b)
Score: India 144/2
"The stand is broken!" Bishop called. "Kohli goes for 59. A fantastic partnership that stabilized the innings. But West Indies have an opening now."
---
Yuvraj Singh, the man in golden form, walked out to join Deva.
Deva switched back to his "AB de Villiers" mode.
He smashed Darren Sammy for a massive six over long-on in the 24th over.
He moved to 70... 74... 78.
But facing Andre Russell in the 27th over, Deva tried to manufacture a shot—a scoop over fine leg. It was a pre-meditated move, and Russell saw it, bowling it wide. Deva reached for it, losing his shape. The ball took the toe end of the bat and flew to deep point, where Devon Smith took a comfortable catch.
Wicket: S Deva c Smith b Russell 78 (62b)
Score: India 170/3
Deva walked back, shaking his head. He had wanted a hundred today.
"An adventurous end to a classy innings," Gavaskar commented. "78 off 62 balls. He did the hard work, set the tempo, and then got out. But look at that strike rate—125. Even when he plays 'carefully', he scores faster than a run a ball."
---
With Deva gone, the pressure fell on the veterans. MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh.
This was a dangerous pair. Left-hand, right-hand combination. Both powerful, both smart.
Yuvraj looked like he was batting on a different pitch. He was driving on the up, cutting fiercely, and sweeping the spinners. He was the Man of the Tournament contender for a reason.
Dhoni, initially cautious, started to find his range.
In the 38th over, Dhoni danced down the track to Bishoo and launched him into the stands at cow corner. That famous "helicopter" wrist work was on display.
They added quick runs, punishing the West Indies death bowling. Roach lost his line, bowling wides. Rampaul was tired.
Dhoni reached his 50 with a quick double.
50 for MS Dhoni.
But immediately after, trying to clear the rope again off Bishoo, Dhoni was stumped. A sharp piece of work by Devon Thomas.
Wicket: MS Dhoni st Thomas b Bishoo 54 (40b)
Score: India 245/4
Suresh Raina came in at number 6.
---
The last 5 overs were the Yuvraj show.
He was on 60. He wanted more.
Over 47: Russell to Yuvraj. Four through covers. Four through fine leg.
Over 48: Rampaul to Raina. Raina smashed a six over mid-wicket.
Over 49: Yuvraj faced Roach. He hit a straight six that crashed into the sight screen.
Yuvraj moved into the 90s.
In the final over, he needed a boundary to reach his century. But Raina was on strike for the first three balls.
Raina took a single.
Yuvraj, on 91, faced the last two balls.
He hit a two to deep mid-wicket. 93.
Last ball. He swung hard but mistimed it to long-on for a single. 94*.
India finished at 294/5 in 50 overs.
---
The players walked off the field. It was a formidable total on a Chepauk pitch that was expected to turn.
Scorecard Highlights:
India: 294/5
Yuvraj Singh: 94 (70b)*
S Deva: 78 (62b)
V Kohli: 59 (76b)
MS Dhoni: 54 (40b)
---
"A commanding performance by India," Ravi Shastri summarized. "After losing Sachin in the first over, there was a moment of panic. But look at the character shown by the youngsters. The Deva-Kohli partnership of 136 was the backbone. They absorbed the pressure and transferred it back."
"And Yuvraj Singh," Gavaskar added. "He is in the form of his life. 93 not out. He is hitting the ball so cleanly. With 294 on the board and three spinners in the side—Harbhajan, Ashwin, and Yuvraj—West Indies have a mountain to climb."
The Chepauk crowd was on its feet, waving flags. The "Yellow Sea" had transformed into a patriotic frenzy. The DJ played "Maa Tujhe Salaam" as the Indian team gathered near the boundary line for the second half.
Now, it was over to the spinners. Ashwin, the local boy, was marking his run-up in his mind. The stage was set for a classic Chepauk strangulation.
---
A target of 295 on a pristine Wankhede track might be chaseable. But at Chepauk, with the pitch already showing scars of wear and the ball likely to grip, it was a fortress.
In the commentary box, Ian Bishop wiped sweat from his brow, his voice grave. "This is a massive ask for the West Indies. The air is thick, the ball will get soft, and India has fielded a three-pronged spin attack with Ashwin, Harbhajan, and Yuvraj."
Ravi Shastri leaned forward. "Don't forget the 'Chennai squeeze', Ian. Once the spinners settle into a rhythm here, runs dry up like water in the desert. The West Indies need a flyer."
---
Devon Smith and Kirk Edwards walked out to face the music. Zaheer Khan, the maestro of the new ball, started the proceedings.
In just the second over, the crowd erupted. Not for a wicket, but for the local hero. Ravichandran Ashwin was given the new ball from the other end.
The local boy didn't disappoint. In the 3rd over, he tossed one up, inviting the drive. Devon Smith lunged, the bat turned in his hand, and the ball looped back to the bowler.
West Indies 15/1. Chepauk roared its approval.
Darren Bravo, the stylish left-hander, joined Edwards. They tried to counter-attack. Bravo hit a couple of glorious cover drives that reminded everyone of Brian Lara. For a brief moment, the West Indies looked dangerous. They raced to 50 in the 9th over.
But Harbhajan Singh struck in the 10th. Edwards tried to sweep a doosra he didn't pick. Plumb LBW.
West Indies 54/2.
---
The West Indies were teetering. The experienced Ramnaresh Sarwan walked in to join Bravo. Sarwan was a fighter—a man who had batted with a broken jaw. He wasn't going to give it away.
Dhoni rotated his spinners. Yuvraj came on and tightened the screws. The run rate climbed. 6 runs per over needed... then 7... then 8.
In the 20th over, Dhoni threw the ball to Siddanth Deva.
"Right," Dhoni said, moving the fielders. "Sarwan is playing late. He's waiting for the ball. Don't give him width. Use your pace."
Deva marked his run-up. The crowd chanted, "Deva! Deva!"
---
Sarwan was wary. He knew Deva had pace.
Ball 1: 142 kmph. Good length, angling in. Sarwan defended solidly back down the pitch.
Ball 2: Slower ball (120 kmph). Sarwan picked it and nudged it to square leg for no run.
Deva's instincts told him Sarwan was setting himself up for the cut shot, expecting Deva to drop it short on this slow track.
Ball 4: Deva ran in hard. He didn't bowl short. He bowled a heavy ball—back of a length but skidding through at 145 kmph, aiming for the top of off stump.
Sarwan, anticipating a slower bounce, was late on the shot. He tried to run it down to third man at the last second.
The extra pace defeated him. The ball kissed the outside edge.
It flew fast and low to the right of the wicketkeeper. Dhoni dived—a flash of gloves—and pouched it cleanly.
Wicket: R Sarwan c Dhoni b Deva 2
Score: West Indies 80/3
"Got him!" Sunil Gavaskar exclaimed. "Pace does it! On a slow pitch, raw pace is still the most dangerous weapon. Sarwan was beaten for sheer speed. Deva strikes in his first over!"
Deva pumped his fist, high-fiving Kohli at point. The big anchor was gone.
---
The West Indies innings began to unravel. Kieron Pollard came in, swung wildly at Yuvraj, and was stumped for a duck.
Darren Bravo, who had played beautifully for 30, holed out to Raina in the deep off Ashwin.
By the 30th over, West Indies were reeling at 110/5.
The required rate was now over 10. The game was virtually over, but the West Indies captain, Darren Sammy, was still there. And Sammy could hit a long ball.
---
Sammy decided to go down swinging. He smashed Harbhajan for a six over long-on. He slapped Yuvraj for a four through covers. He moved quickly to 20 runs.
Dhoni brought Deva back for a second spell in the 36th over to finish the tail.
Sammy saw the pacer and his eyes lit up. He backed away to the leg side, clearing his front leg, ready to baseball-swing anything into the Bay of Bengal.
Deva saw the movement.
Ball 1: Bouncer. Sammy swung and missed. The ball sailed over his head. "One for the over," signaled the umpire.
Ball 2: Yorker length. Sammy dug it out.
Ball 3: Deva decided to play a mind game. He slowed his run-up slightly, signaling a slower ball. Sammy waited, weight on the back foot.
But at the point of delivery, Deva snapped his wrist. It wasn't a slower ball. It was a scorching in-swinging yorker at 144 kmph.
Sammy, waiting for the floater, was completely wrong-footed. He tried to jam his bat down, but the ball was already past the toe.
CRASH.
The sound of the stumps shattering was crisp and final. The middle stump was uprooted and lay flat on the ground.
Wicket: D Sammy b Deva 23
Score: West Indies 150/7
"Cleaned him up!" Ian Bishop conceded with a sigh. "That is high-quality fast bowling. He set him up with the field, teased him with the run-up, and then destroyed the stumps. Deva is too good for the tail."
Deva turned to the crowd, arms wide open. The Chepauk faithful roared. The "Devil" had claimed another soul.
---
With Sammy gone, the fight left the West Indies.
Devon Thomas and Andre Russell tried to delay the inevitable.
But Yuvraj Singh, the man with the golden arm, returned to clean up the mess.
He trapped Russell LBW for 10.
Zaheer Khan returned to bowl Kemar Roach for a duck.
Finally, in the 43rd over, Ravi Rampaul skied a ball from Ashwin. Virat Kohli settled under it at long-off and took the catch.
West Indies All Out: 188 (43 overs).
---
The giant screen at Chepauk flashed the victory margin: INDIA WON BY 106 RUNS.
The players shook hands. The atmosphere was carnival-like. India had not just won; they had dominated. They had defended a total on a turning track and bowled out the opposition for under 200.
Final Scorecard:
India: 294/5 (50 ov)
Yuvraj Singh: 93*
S Deva: 78
V Kohli: 59
MS Dhoni: 54
West Indies: 188 All Out (43 ov)
D Bravo: 30
D Sammy: 23
Bowling:
S Deva: 2/32 (8 overs)
Yuvraj Singh: 2/18
R Ashwin: 2/41
Z Khan: 3/26
---
Ravi Shastri stood on the podium, the Chepauk crowd cheering every move.
"A clinical performance," Shastri said. "India marches into the Quarter-Finals with huge momentum. I have the Man of the Match with me... Yuvraj Singh!"
Yuvraj walked up, looking exhausted but happy.
Shastri: "Yuvi, runs with the bat, wickets with the ball. You seem to love this World Cup."
Yuvraj: "Yes, I'm feeling good. The body is tired, it's very humid out there. But the team is playing well. Deva and Virat set a great platform, which allowed me and Mahi to explode at the end."
---
Later that night, the sports channels were buzzing.
"India vs Australia in the Quarter-Finals," the anchor announced, the graphic flashing on the screen. "The clash of the titans at Motera, Ahmedabad."
"This is the match we were waiting for," the expert panelist said. "Australia are the defending champions. They have Ponting, Watson, Lee, Johnson. But India looks ready."
"The biggest positive from Chennai," another expert noted, "is that India won without Sehwag and without a Sachin century. The middle order stood up. And Siddanth Deva proved he can bat anywhere."