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On a memorable day in 2008, under the astute leadership of MS Dhoni, the Indian cricket team clinched the Commonwealth Bank (CB) Tri-Series, a prestigious ODI tournament featuring India, host nation Australia, and Sri Lanka. This victory stands out as a monumental achievement in the annals of Indian cricket, showcasing the prowess and potential of a relatively young team on the international stage.
The series was a testament to the exceptional talent and determination of the Indian squad, which included cricket icons such as Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir among others. Their outstanding performances, combined with Dhoni's inspirational captaincy, propelled India to one of their most celebrated victories in ODI cricket.
India met Australia in a best-of-three final
The finals saw India and Australia, two cricketing powerhouses, vying for supremacy. Despite the Australian team, led by Ricky Ponting and featuring stars like Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, and Brett Lee, being deemed the favorites, India's resilience was not to be underestimated. Ponting's pre-match comments, underestimating the need for a three-match final, added fuel to the competitive fire.
The first final took place in Sydney
The first final took place in Sydney, with Australia opting to bat first upon winning the toss. India's bowlers, particularly Praveen Kumar and Ishant Sharma, delivered a stunning performance by dismissing top-order batters Gilchrist, Ponting, and Clarke for a mere 24 runs. Australia managed to post a total of 239 runs, thanks to significant contributions from Hayden, Hussey, and Andrew Symonds.
Sachin, Rohit star for India
India's reply was initially shaky, but a formidable partnership between the veteran Tendulkar and the young Rohit Sharma turned the tide. Tendulkar's century and Sharma's valuable 66 runs secured India a six-wicket victory in the first final.
The second final was held in Brisbane
The momentum continued in the second final in Brisbane, where India, batting first, set a target of 258 runs. Tendulkar once again led the scoring, with valuable contributions from Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, and Dhoni. Australia's chase was thwarted by India's disciplined bowling, particularly from Praveen Kumar, who took four wickets. Despite efforts from Hayden and James Hopes, Australia fell short by nine runs, handing India a triumphant 2-0 series win.
Praveen Kumar's exceptional bowling earned him the man of the match in the second final, marking a historic series win for India against Australia in their own backyard. This series victory, orchestrated by Dhoni and his team, remains one of the most iconic moments in Indian ODI cricket history, illustrating the team's capability to conquer formidable opponents on the global stage.
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