And then there was one..the last one standing , standing tall among the ruins and they had outlasted everyone in their wake. Nope this isn't a Roman epic but an epic it certainly is - embedded in the hearts of the millions of supporters. After 28 years, from the time Kapil's devils got Indian cricket on the map --

Vinod Kambli might have shed many tears as India's campaign in 1996 came to a shambolic end. He wasn't alone though. I who had fervently supported them,sat in my room, and had cried like a baby. I refused to eat, to see anyone and it took me a day or two to recover. Losses to Australia hurt but you always knew you were beaten by a giant and perhaps there was no disgrace in losing. But a loss to Sri Lanka came with that extra bite, a sub-continental rivalry only surpassed by an India-Pak competition. And so India redeemed themselves and how. 

On the night of April 2, India powered by their twin engines of Gambhir and captain Dhoni, overhauled Sri Lanka's challenging score to trigger a frenzy across the great nation and the diaspora around the world. It was just something amazing and wonderful to get something we thought we would never get to see in our lifetime. Even though the script didn't go as wished by many an ardent fan about Sachin scoring a 100th ton at Wankhede, but we would take a winner's medal any day. 

Tributes flowed for Sachin Tendulkar, who after 21 years of cricket finally got what he has deserved for sometime now. He was carried around the ground on the players' shoulders  for a lap of honor. And so was the brilliant coach Gary Kirsten. The scenes were amazing, mesmerizing and everyone's elation knew no bounds.

I had driven to Boston in the middle of the night to watch it with Skytrooper. Both of us have been following  cricket since the WC 1992 and this just felt like salvation. Ah, life can resume again after months of speculation , excitement and anticipation. Felicitations India , you deserve it. Thanks chaps we will cherish this forever. Jai Hind.