As Mahendra Singh Dhoni?s slash was caught at point by Michael Clarke diving to his left, all of India had their hearts in their mouths. Was the 28-year- long wait about to be prolonged further by four more years? Will the marauding Aussies, once again take us out of the World Cup, thanks to a battling hundred by Ricky Ponting? Will Sachin Tendulkar not play his second World Cup final? Just then, India?s last recognised batting pair stepped on the fight button. A brilliant seventh wicket partnership and within minutes Australia was sent packing.

The match earned Yuvraj Singh his fourth man of the match award, in the process, making him a certainty for the player of the tournament award. Suresh Raina also did justice to his talent that had some months back made him into one of India?s most important weapons going into the World Cup.

If Australia was an aberration, Pakistan confirmed the belief that this Indian side is different. Scoring a par 260 at Mohali, the Indians came out charging. The relatively weak bowling attack played the part beautifully and not once their intensity lacked on the field. It was a proof that this Indian side is different and their ability to absorb and soak in pressure is much greater than any Indian side of the past.

In 2003, it was an inexperienced Zaheer Khan who opened the bowling for India in the final and the pressure of the occasion got to him. He conceded 15 runs in the first over and Australia raced off the blocks. Within the first five overs the match was well and truly leaning towards Australia. In the semi-final against Pakistan, the very same Zaheer Khan led the Indian attack with an amazing skill and composure, picking up the first and last Pakistani wicket propelling India to the final.

Zaheer is currently at the top of his powers and his ability to take pressure is far higher than the Zaheer of 2003. The very same can be said of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh. Yuvraj is perhaps the best example. Bowled out first ball by a terrific Wahab Riaz yorker in the semi-final, it took some mettle for Yuvraj to come back and pick up two very crucial wickets when India was defending a relatively modest 260. That he was able to keep a check on his nerves, overcome his failure with the bat and keep up the impact he has had on the tournament, says a lot about his mental frame. That he was almost written off before the tournament and that he has been able to overcome such negativity to emerge as the tournament?s foremost player is proof that the mental frame of this Indian side is very strong.

It is on the basis of this one achievement, the ability to take pressure and perform their best on the field, we can say that for India, World Cup 2011 has been a fantastic success. It could not have been a better script. Beating Australia in the quarter finals and Pakistan in the semi-finals, the Indian cricket fan could not have asked for more. And it is here that one must mention Sachin Tendulkar. Highest scorer in the 1996 edition of the tournament, he once again was the tournament?s leading scorer in 2003 scoring a mammoth 673 runs. Eight years later, the master is once again on the top. While his ability to take pressure and perform remains constant, what stands out is his ability to continue at the top of his powers in a competitive sport for well over a decade-and-a-half. When we add the gradual maturing of some of our other stars, we understand why Mahendra Singh Dhoni is leading a champion side, one that can surely continue to give its fans a lot of joy in the days and months to come.

We are already at the top of the ladder in the world test rankings and the World Cup is proof that India is also on the top in the 50-over-format. Now it is time to consolidate and make sure our reign at the pinnacle lasts and Dhoni?s legacy turns unrivalled. For one final time, it is time to suggest this side is different and they can well achieve this dream as well.

?The writer is a sports historian (The column was written before the final match.)