An all-round win
India's World Cup victory was as much an economic success as it was a cricketing one, writes Ed Smith in the Times .
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
India's World Cup victory was as much an economic success as it was a cricketing one, writes Ed Smith in the Times.
It is true that India has won the World Cup before, in 1983. But that was an underdog victory that did not reflect the real cricketing balance of power. In 1983, England still shaped and administered the game.
Now, 28 years on, India hasn't just won the World Cup, it leads the world in every department of the game. India has the most lucrative and influential tournament, the Indian Premier League, that dictates terms to the rest of the world. It has the biggest market and the most iconic players. It has now hosted a superb World Cup and dominated on the pitch.
Film critic Raja Sen, in his blog, rewinds to 2003, where a fledgling cross-border love story was cut short by the contrasting reactions following Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal in that game in Centurion.
Akhila Ranganna is assistant editor (Audio) at ESPNcricinfo