It’s been a great Cricket World Cup – and what a cool finish when India’s skipper Mahendra Dhoni smashed a massive six into the celebrating fans at Mumbai to claim the victory in majestic style.

Gautam Gambhir hit 97 and captain Dhoni an unbeaten 91 to steer India to an emphatic six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka – who set their rivals a massive target of 275 – in an absorbing World Cup final.

It seems a long time ago since England shocked the Indians earlier in the tournament to grab a sensational tie in my favorite match of the tournament. And England can be proud of the part they played before going out to beaten finalists Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals.

Hard luck on Mahela Jayawardene , who became the first player to score a hundred in the final and finish on the losing side.

But full credit to India – the best team in the tournament who finally retained the title they last won way back in 1983. One in six people on the planet is an Indian, so it’s going to be a huge party tonight. What great scenes at the end of the match. And no one deserves this honour more than Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest cricketers ever to play the game.

– BY JOHN GUBBA

party time in Mumbai
as India WIN first Cricket
World Cup since 1983