BHUBANESWAR 06-Apr-2011 271
ICC World Cup winning Team India`s manager and Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) president Ranjib Biswal was accorded a rousing reception on his return home today. Braving the scorching sun, a large gathering of cricket fans and Congress party supporters greeted him with gralands and bouquets here at the Biju Patnaik Airport.
First to greet Biswal was Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) secretary Asirbad Behera. A delegation from OCA, comprising vice-presidents, joint-secretaries, treasurer and staff members were present on the occasion. Higher Education Minister Pratap Jena and Sports Minister Praveen Chandra Bhanjadeo also turned up to welcome Biswal.
Enthusiasm to get closer to Biswal was so much that it almost led to a stampede in the area. Mediapersons and lensmen experienced a torrid time while covering the occasion. The Team India manager was later taken to his residence in a rally, which featured around 200 cars and motorbikes.
Putting all rumours to rest about genuineness of the ICC World Cup trophy, the Team India manager confirmed that the trophy given to the champions was the original one. ``We received the original trophy and the replica went back to the ICC. This has been the tradition and there was no change this time,`` clarified Biswal.
Talking to reporters, Biswal described M S Dhoni`s trophy winning sixer as the best moment of the World Cup. ``I will cherish the moment for the rest of life. Dhoni played a gem of an innings and proved himself at the best captain of the world,`` he said. Speaking on India`s successful campaign, Biswal said: ``We played according plan, handled pressure well and regained the coveted trophy after a gap of 28 years.``
A member of the IPL Governing Council, Biswal was all praise for Sachin Tendulkar and joined the cricketing fraternity, demanding Bharat Ratna for the master blaster. ``By virtue of his incredible performance, Tendulkar has transformed cricket from a sport to a religion of the nation. He fully deserves the highest civilian honour of the country. Team India fulfilled its promise by winning the World Cup for him.``
Assessing his own performance, former India under-19 captain Biswal said: ``It was the second time that I did duty as the manager of India`s World Cup team. I also had the experience of playing alongside some of the members of the current team. So, it was not difficult for me to work with the team. I enjoyed the experience and felt proud about my performance.``
Describing the clash with England as the saddest part of the World Cup campaign, Biswal said the tied result came as shock for the team. ``But it also made us more determined to win the trophy,`` recalled Biswal, who was also the manager of the team for the T-20
World Cup in West Indies earlier last year.
