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World Cup final: A nation holds its breath

MUMBAI: India - indeed, the world - is waiting, with baited breath, for Sachin Tendulkar to craft the ultimate fairytale: his 100th international ton, in the World Cup final, before his adoring home crowd. But for the last three days at least, the master's mind might well have been racing down memory lane - to 1996. That momentous year too, India had crushed Pakistan in an emotionally-charged encounter in the World Cup; then too, they had the little matter of strolling past Sri Lanka to 'pick up' the coveted trophy. Fifteen years down the line, circa now, the first chapter has already unfolded: unlike feared, India outsmarted Pakistan and Sri Lanka are already in wait. This is, of course, one step up - the final, rather than the semifinal as it was in 1996. Tendulkar was the man in prime form then too; Muttiah Muralitharan is the only other player still in the picture from that bygone era. The Lankan off-spinner was just a vital cog then; now, he is the one man who can destroy India's fairytale again. India won't be losing too much sleep over him though; their bigger concern is the mood raging across the country. Just like last time, everybody is behaving like the team has already won the Cup; just like then, and very ominously at that, everyone is already in celebration mode. Tendulkar would be aware of the dangers of premature euphoria; 13 years prior to that Lankan blow at Eden Gardens, West Indies had made the same mistake. They thought they had already won the World Cup and ended up losing it, despite an awesome collection of match-winners. India can't afford to be caught off guard again. There is a hint of fragility in their batting and more than a touch of unpredictability in the bowling, you never know when the fielding will come apart either.

                                                                                                               
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