Walking the plank, in the alleged corridor of uncertainty outside off, India perished on Sunday evening, though that didn't spoil the night out for the Indians in the stands, who remained in good voice until the end.
The end, when it came, was softened by Gautam Gambhir--who swam against the current and got a ton--and the valiant Robin Uthappa, who took India close. But the truth is, India never really looked like winning this one at the Sydney Cricket Ground, not after being 51 for four in the 11th over.
Four of the visitors fell trying to drive outside off, Adam Gilchrist consuming all; the dismissal of the first Indian, actually, had foretold a sorry tale. Sachin Tendulkar's last days at the SCG aren't proving happy, and he'd hope to get another chance--in the first of the finals--to alter the script.
Gambhir smashed the ball with unsuspected strength, scampered his singles and twos right until the end; but, playing a lone hand for the most, he could not win it on his own, or with the help he got from Uthappa.