Dubai, April 3: Thousands of Indians across the Gulf region watched with bated breath as team India closed in on the Sri Lankan total in the World Cup final that was played in Mumbai on Saturday, Apr 2.

As soon as India captain Mandra Singh Dhoni sent the winning stroke soaring into the crowds, scores of them leapt in joy, hugging and congratulating each other.

They began frantically calling and texting fellow Indians to congratulate on the grand victory.

Several of them got out to celebrate in the streets.

"I am overjoyed because it was crucial for us to win today otherwise it would have taken another 28 years to get here. Kudos to all the team members and to Dhoni for leading the side especially well under the circumstances," said Kamran Ziauddin, an Abu Dhabi-based banker.

Ziauddin and his wife Fareeha watched the entire match with friends while his children spent the evening at their friends'' place soaking in the action.

Indians in Saudi cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, and in Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait also spent the large part of match gathered at community centers and other big halls to enjoy the match.

Manoj Kohli, an IT professional who went out with a group of friends to watch the match at an auditorium, said this was the best moment of life.

"This not only brings joy but also a sense of belief that as a nation we can achieve anything. This is the victory of our nation," he said.

For homemaker Preeti Jhaveri it was a day to cherish alongside her family and friends.

"I was too young to understand the pride when India won the last time. I am definitely not going to miss the celebration this time around," she said.

PTI