Bangalore: The South–African CEO ICC, Lorgat, has come out with a quick response on public doubts expressed about the genuineness of 2011 World  ODI Cricket Cup presented to India, by saying that the trophy was not artificial but real one. That gladdens the hearts of many a cricket lover, who watched the matches day in and day out for a month.
Who planted rumour about a fake trophy, has not been clarified, but the doubt no longer remains on the authenticity of the ICC World Tournament Trophy, kissed by Sachin and hugged by Dhoni and Yuvraj on April 2.
A spate of cash awards have followed and all 15 cricketers and coaches (playing or non-playing and planning) have become richer by crores of rupees for the sweat, blood toil in the hot sun and blazing night lights, to vanquish India’s opponents in 2011. The final was a peach of a match, with several meanings to draw.
India, on way to the top of the heap, defeated Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, all potential contenders laying their hands on the gleaming Cup. India was beaten by South Africa which was choked by New Zealand in the quarter finals, and the Kiwis, in turn, defeated by Pakistan which entered semi-final only to be thrown out by India.
Sachin never made his 100th century when opportunities came up time and again. Even Lata Mangeshkar hoped he would achieve that elusive goal, but Sachin and Sreesanth were happy to be in the winning eleven on April 2 at Mumbai, while skipper Dhoni cracked a mighty Six, to push over Sri Lanka.
Now the alacrity with which our local CM Yeddyurappa has announced BDA sites (50×80 feet each) to the Indian winning team. Whose land is it, anyway? There is no single Kannadiga in the Team India, nor anybody in recent years (gold medal winners in Asian Commonwealth Games) ever got a plot for the honour they brought to India. Karnataka CM’s magnanimity is overpowering against Kannada sport stars.