Indian team showed a lot of spirit in their fight this World Cup. So did the fans!
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India's spectacular winning streak in World Cup 2015 came to a disappointing halt on Thursday when the defending champions lost their semifinal match against four-time champions Australia. It was a brave fight from the Men in Blue in front of a screaming Sydney Cricket Ground. In the end, it was all for nothing.
Or was it really for nothing?
MS Dhoni and his men played a dominant brand of cricket in the sport's biggest arena. While the semifinal result has left a billion hearts shattered, the very same broken hearts should take note of the effort and salute the spirit with which India performed.
Here are top-five reasons why India, even in defeat, emerged winners in many ways.
Packing the Pace Punch!
Indian pacers showed they are not just equal in every way with their teammates who wield the willow, but can even outshine them. The trio of Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma were anything but experienced campaigners. Yet, they bowled their hearts out each time they stepped out on the field. It is, after all, no regular feat to� bowl out oppositions in seven consecutive matches.
While Umesh claimed four against the Aussies to overtake Shami by one wicket, each of the Bengal pacer's 17 wickets were praise-worthy too. Mohit played a stellar role in supporting cast and finished the tournament with 13 wickets. Going forward, these are great numbers that will send shudders down opposition's spine.
Solid Batting on Challenging Tracks
Indian batsmen were never known to dictate terms Down Under. Yet, the top-order shone and sparkled bright with crackling display of aggressive stroke play.
The likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma showed good temperament even against stronger opponents while Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane batted with a lot of solidity.
The batting of MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina in the middle-order was a revelation that sealed several matches for the side in the league stages. If that's not a reason enough to celebrate, nothing much is.
MS Dhoni's Cool 'n' Clever Captaincy
He is known for his charismatic leadership and in World Cup 2015,� Dhoni once again showed why he is rated as a captain-par-excellence.
Dhoni led his team with passion and ingenuity. Against both the stronger teams like Pakistan and South Africa as well as against the minnows, India's most successful ODI captain kept a straight face and led his side with aplomb.
Fantastic Fielding Floors Fans
There were diving saves, there were sliding saves and there were mind-boggling catches that described India's performance on the field. Indian fielders played a brilliant supporting role even as the bowlers exerted pressure on batsmen.
Such was the sublime effort on the ground that bowling coach Bharat Arun even rated the side's fielding as the best in the world currently.
Sensational Support Unites India Down Under
Fans may be a disappointed after the semi-final loss but there is no doubting the fact that the Indian supporters were the most passionate this World Cup.
From children to the elderly, stadiums in Australia and New Zealand were jam-packed by Indians each time the team stepped out. Such was their overwhelming presence that even the home team hardly felt as if it was playing at home. Aussie captain Michael Clarke even urged his fans to outnumber Indians at SCG - a plea that clearly showed how much of an impact the Indian fans had Down Under.
A billion fans at home, of course, were praying earnestly for a month and a half and India's performance is indeed an ode to their spirit - a definite reason for celebration.
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