The date was October 5, 2009. SuperSport Park, Centurion.
The ICC Champions Trophy Final.
The sun beat down on the Highveld, baking the pitch into a flat, hard road. The air buzzed with the hum of vuvuzelas and the frantic energy of a sell-out crowd. It was the heavyweights of world cricket colliding. India, the T20 World Champions, against Australia, the reigning ODI World Champions and Champions Trophy holders.
In the commentary box, the tension was palpable even before the first ball was bowled.
Ravi Shastri: "Good morning, and welcome to the coliseum! It is the Grand Finale. Two weeks of intense cricket have distilled down to this moment. The Men in Blue against the Men in Yellow. It is a repeat of the 2003 World Cup Final, but this is a new India. An India that doesn't blink."
Ian Chappell: "That's right, Ravi. Australia knows how to win these big moments. Ponting, Hussey, Lee—they have the pedigree. But this Indian side, led by Dhoni, with the young fire of Deva, Raina, and Kohli, has a swagger about it. It's the old guard versus the new challengers. And Centurion is the perfect stage."
Tony Greig: "The pitch looks like a belter! Absolute road! The bowlers will be hiding behind the umpire today. The captain winning the toss will have a massive decision to make. Win the toss, bat first, score 300?"
Shastri: "Let's go down to the middle for the toss."
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MS Dhoni and Ricky Ponting stood on the mat. Ponting looked intense, chewing his gum furiously.
Ponting flipped the coin.
"Heads," Dhoni called.
It was Tails.
"We'll bowl," Ponting announced immediately. "There might be a little bit of moisture early on, and we prefer chasing in finals. We want to know what we need."
Dhoni smiled, unperturbed.
Shastri: "MS, would you have batted?"
Dhoni: "Actually, no. We would have bowled too. We've been chasing well in this tournament, and the dew might come in later. But we have to bat now, so we'll look to put a big score on the board. 280-290 is par."
First Innings
Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar walked out to a deafening roar.
Brett Lee steamed in. The first ball clocked 150kph.
Gambhir, in the 5th Over, facing Peter Siddle, tried to punch a length ball through covers. He didn't keep it down.
Mike Hussey at point took a sharp catch.
WICKET 1: G. Gambhir c. Hussey b. Siddle 14.
India: 25/1.
Siddanth Deva walked out at No. 3.
"Play straight," Sachin advised. "Don't hit across the line early."
Siddanth looked sublime. He drove Brett Lee down the ground for four. He pulled Mitchell Johnson with disdain.
Sachin was in a different zone. He was accumulating runs with surgical precision.
They added 80 runs in quick time.
Siddanth reached 45 off 35 balls. He looked set for a big one.
In the 19th Over, he tried to loft Nathan Hauritz over long-off. He didn't quite get to the pitch of the ball.
Caught on the boundary by Cameron White.
WICKET 2: S. Deva c. White b. Hauritz 45.
India: 105/2.
---
Virat Kohli joined Sachin.
Kohli rotated the strike, allowing Sachin to dominate. Sachin reached his Century with a paddle sweep—his 45th in ODIs. The stadium stood up to applaud.
Kohli fell in the 27th Over for a well-made 32, caught behind off Watson.
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Suresh Raina walked in.
He and Sachin dismantled the bowling. Raina was electric, smashing 54 off 35 balls.
Sachin went berserk after his hundred. He lofted Hauritz for six. He smashed Johnson for consecutive boundaries.
He finally fell in the 45th Over, trying to clear long-on.
WICKET 4: S. Tendulkar c. Ponting b. Lee 142 (130 balls).
The crowd gave him a standing ovation that lasted two minutes.
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MS Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan provided the final flourish.
Dhoni helicoptered Siddle for six. Yusuf smashed Lee for four.
India Finished: 312 for 5.
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Sunil Gavaskar: "312 is a mammoth total in a final. Sachin Tendulkar was magical. Australia needs a record chase to win this. The pressure is huge."
Second Innings
313 to win.
Shane Watson and Tim Paine walked out.
Ashish Nehra and Siddanth Deva took the new ball.
The Indian pacers bowled well, but the Australians were cautious. They didn't take risks. They played the merit of the ball.
Siddanth bowled a tight spell, clocking 145kph, but Watson defended solidly.
They reached 75/0 in 14 overs.
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Dhoni brought on Harbhajan Singh.
Over 15: Harbhajan bowled slower through the air.
Tim Paine tried to drive. He chipped it straight to short cover.
WICKET 1: T. Paine c. Kohli b. Harbhajan 43.
Ricky Ponting walked in.
He looked dangerous, hitting a few pull shots, but he fell for 26, dragging a wide ball from Yusuf Pathan onto his stumps.
Australia: 135/2.
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Cameron White joined Watson.
This was the partnership that scared India.
Watson reached his Century. A brutal, powerful knock.
Cameron White was hitting the ball cleanly.
They added 100 runs.
The equation came down.
Equation: 100 runs needed in 15 overs. Then 80 in 12.
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Over 35:
Dhoni called Siddanth and Nehra.
"We need to break this partnership," Dhoni said. "Break this, or we lose."
Siddanth ran in. Over 36.
He went round the wicket to Watson.
He bowled the Reverse Swinging Yorker.
Watson tried to flick. He missed.
Thud.
Impact in line.
Umpire Aleem Dar raised the finger.
WICKET 3: S. Watson lbw b. Deva 105.
"The Devil strikes!" Shastri roared. "Just when India needed it! The big fish is gone!"
Over 37:
Nehra bowled to Mike Hussey.
Hussey tried to run it down to third man. Edge to Dhoni.
WICKET 4: M. Hussey c. Dhoni b. Nehra 5.
India was back on top. But Cameron White was still there.
---
India: 312/5
Australia: 268/5
Equation: 45 runs needed off 30 balls.
At the crease: Cameron White, batting like a man possessed on 72, and James Hopes.
Over 46
Bowler: Siddanth Deva
Batsmen: Cameron White (Strike), James Hopes
Ravi Shastri: "Here we go. The equation is simple. 9 runs an over. Deva comes back into the attack. He has been the golden arm for Dhoni, but Cameron White is in a mood to destroy everything in his path."
Ball 45.1: Deva runs in. He rolls his fingers over the ball. A slower bouncer. White swings hard but is deceived by the lack of pace. He ducks under it at the last second.
Dot Ball.
Ball 45.2: 148kph Yorker. Right at the base of off-stump. White digs it out to long-off.
1 Run.
Ball 45.3: Deva goes round the wicket to Hopes. Another cutter. Hopes taps it to point.
Dot Ball.
Ball 45.4: 145kph. Full and straight. Hopes drives it to deep cover.
1 Run.
Ball 45.5: Deva to White. He bowls wide of the crease, angling it in. White cramps up and chops it to square leg.
1 Run.
Ball 45.6: Hopes on strike. A perfect low full toss. Hopes can only push it to mid-on.
1 Run.
End of Over 46: 4 runs.
Equation: 41 runs needed off 24 balls.
Sunil Gavaskar: "Brilliant over! Just 4 singles at this stage? That is gold dust. Siddanth Deva is bowling with the maturity of a veteran. The pressure is mounting on Australia."
Over 47
Bowler: Ashish Nehra
Batsmen: James Hopes (Strike), Cameron White
Tony Greig: "Dhoni turns to the experienced Ashish Nehra. India needs a wicket. Australia needs a big over. Buckle up!"
Ball 46.1: Nehra misses his length slightly. A low full toss. Hopes clears his front leg and smashes it over mid-wicket.
SIX!
Ball 46.2: Nehra corrects his line but Hopes steps out. He lofts it over extra cover. Not timed perfectly, but the outfield is lightning.
FOUR.
Ball 46.3: WICKET!
Nehra goes short. Hopes eyes another six over long-on. He top-edges it. The ball swirls in the night sky.
Suresh Raina at long-off settles under it. He takes it calmly.
James Hopes c Raina b Nehra 24.
Ian Chappell: "One too many! Hopes goes, but he's done some damage. 10 runs off the first three balls. Now, Callum Ferguson walks in. But the danger man, Cameron White, is off strike."
Ball 46.4: Ferguson on strike. He pushes a length ball to cover. They scramble a risky single.
1 Run.
Ball 46.5: White on strike. Nehra bowls wide. White reaches for it but can't connect.
Dot Ball.
Ball 46.6: White drives to long-off. He refuses the single to keep strike.
Dot Ball.
30 runs needed off 18 balls.
Over 48
Bowler: Siddanth Deva
Batsmen: Cameron White (Strike), Callum Ferguson
Ravi Shastri: "This is the match right here. Deva vs White. 30 needed off 18. If White gets hold of Deva, it's game over."
Ball 47.1: Deva hits the deck hard. 148kph. White throws his bat at it.
EDGED!
It flies past Dhoni's diving glove. Third man is up.
FOUR.
Shastri: "Streaky! But Australia won't care! 26 needed off 17!"
Ball 47.2: Deva doesn't panic. 150kph Yorker. Laser-guided at the toes. White just about gets his bat down.
Dot Ball.
Ball 47.3: 152kph Yorker! Even faster! White tries to steer it but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Dot Ball.
Ball 47.4: Deva goes wide of the crease. Angling in. 149kph Yorker. Three in a row! White jams it to cover.
Dot Ball.
Gavaskar: "Unbelievable execution! He is nailing them like he's bowling in a video game! White can't get under it!"
Ball 47.5: Deva changes it up. A low full toss. White mistimes it straight to mid-off.
Dot Ball.
Ball 47.6: White is desperate. He taps the ball to point and takes off. It's a suicidal run.
Ravindra Jadeja swoops in. He throws at the stumps. Misses! If that had hit, White was gone by yards.
1 Run.
25 runs needed off 12 balls.
Over 49
Bowler: Ashish Nehra
Batsmen: Cameron White (Strike), Callum Ferguson
Tony Greig: "12 balls. 25 runs. Nehra has the penultimate over. Cameron White is on strike. He has to go big now!"
Ball 48.1: Nehra bowls a length ball. Mistake.
White stands tall and pummels it over long-on.
SIX!
Ball 48.2: Nehra tries a yorker but bowls a slot ball.
White clears the front leg. Bam! Over cow corner!
SIX!
Shastri: "HE'S HIT IT MILES! Back-to-back sixes! The game has turned on its head! 13 needed off 10!"
Ball 48.3: Nehra goes wide. White reaches and slashes. It goes to the point where a fielder is present.
1 Run.
Ball 48.4: Nehra finally lands a yorker. White digs it out.
1 Run.
Ball 49.5: Ferguson on strike. He swings and gets an inside edge to fine leg.
1 Run.
Ball 48.6: White on strike. He drives to Long Off. He wants two, but Raina's arm keeps him to one.
1 Run.
Gavaskar: "Carnage! Absolute carnage! 16 runs off 6 balls! The equation is melting away!"
9 runs needed off 6 balls.
Over 50
Bowler: Siddanth Deva
Batsmen: Cameron White (Strike, 88*), Callum Ferguson
Target: 13 Runs.
Ravi Shastri: "This is it. The Champions Trophy boils down to this. 6 balls. 9 runs. The unstoppable Cameron White against the immovable Siddanth Deva. The crowd can't breathe!"
Ball 49.1:
Deva runs in. He aims for the blockhole.
Yorker.
White digs it out brilliantly, squeezing it past point.
The fielder dives but can't stop it clean. They scramble back for the second.
2 Runs.
Equation: 7 runs off 5 balls.
Ball 49.2:
Deva walks back to his mark. He sees White shuffling across, preparing for the lap sweep to fine leg.
Siddanth closes his eyes for a split second.
[SYSTEM ACTIVE: CHRONOS PERCEPTION]
Time slows. He sees White's weight shift early. He sees the bat face opening.
Deva aborts the yorker. He grips the ball deep in his palm.
Knuckle Ball. Aimed at the leg stump.
White commits to the shot. He sweeps... at the air. The ball arrives late, dipping viciously.
CRASH. The leg stump is uprooted.
WICKET! Cameron White b Deva 90.
Tony Greig: "HE'S BOWLED HIM! The Devil has deceived him! The slower ball completely foxed Cameron White! A masterstroke! 7 needed off 4!"
Ball 49.3:
Brett Lee walks out. He is on strike. Deva bowls a length ball on off stump.
Brett Lee heaves it towards deep square leg.
There is a fielder there! He collects it on the bounce.
They can only get a single.
1 Run.
Equation: 6 runs off 3 balls.
Ball 49.4:
Ferguson is on strike.
Deva sees Ferguson backing away to slash.
He bowls a Slow Wide Yorker. It is flirting with the wide line.
Ferguson reaches for it. He slices it high in the air towards the point.
Yusuf Pathan settles under it. He takes the catch!
WICKET! Ferguson c Pathan b Deva 0.
Shastri: "Another one bites the dust! Deva is holding his nerve! 6 runs off 2 balls! It's all but over!"
Ball 49.5:
Mitchell Johnson walks out. He needs a six to win the match.
Deva decides to kill the game with pace.
He bangs it in. 152kph Bouncer.
Johnson swings blindly. The ball is past him before he can finish the shot.
Dhoni collects it high.
Dot Ball.
Gavaskar: "That's it! That is the game! 6 needed off 1 ball!"
Ball 49.6:
Deva runs in for the last ball. He bangs it in again. 152kph wide Bouncer.
Johnson couldn't reach the ball and got a Dot ball.
INDIA WINS BY 5 RUNS.
---
The moment the ball was caught in Dhoni's gloves, Virat Kohli was the first to arrive, tackling Siddanth to the ground.
Ashish Nehra, Suresh Raina, and Yusuf Pathan piled on.
MS Dhoni calmly pulled a stump out of the ground, a wide grin on his face.
Ravi Shastri: "INDIA ARE THE CHAMPIONS! History repeats itself in South Africa! First the T20 World Cup in 2007, and now the Champions Trophy in 2009! And look at that young man, Siddanth Deva. He defended 9 runs in the final over against a rampant Australia! What a find! What a player!"
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Presentation Ceremony:
Ravi Shastri: "It was a final for the ages. Some incredible performances today. Siddanth Deva with that ice-cool final over. Shane Watson with a brilliant hundred. But the Adjudicators have made their decision. For a majestic, match-winning innings of 142 that set up this mammoth total... the Man of the Match is Sachin Tendulkar!"
The crowd erupted. A roar that shook Centurion.
Sachin walked up to the podium, a modest smile on his face.
Shastri: "Sachin, 142 in a final. You make it look easy. Was that one of your best?"
Sachin: "It was a special one, Ravi. In a final, you always want to put runs on the board. The partnership with Raina and then Sid earlier really helped. The ball was coming on nicely, and I just tried to bat through the innings."
Shastri: "You must be proud of the bowlers, especially the youngster Deva at the end?"
Sachin: "Absolutely. Sid showed nerves of steel. To defend 9 runs against a set batsman like Cameron White is not easy. He is a special talent. This trophy belongs to the whole team, especially these young guys who fielded like tigers."
MS Dhoni lifts the Trophy.
The confetti rained down.
Sachin Tendulkar held one handle, Siddanth held the other.
The 2009 Champions Trophy belonged to India.
Siddanth smiled. He didn't need the Man of the Match award. He had the Trophy. And he had the respect of the God of Cricket.
2011 was next.
And the world was warned.