\n<\/p>\n
The stage was amply set: an acrobatic air show by Indian military planes, performances by star Bollywood singers, a light display, lots of fireworks and \u2014 talked about as the highlight \u2014 an appearance by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the vast stadium that bears his name.<\/p>\n
All India\u2019s national cricket team, undefeated and heavily favored, had to do was win.<\/p>\n
In the end, the Indians fell short, losing to Australia on Sunday night in the men\u2019s World Cup, silencing the home crowd of about 100,000 and bringing heartache to more than a billion Indians who have grown used this year to unending validation of their country\u2019s global rise.<\/p>\n
The result was a bitter pill for a nation that expected a coronation as the most dominant force, measured in passion and money, in a sport that by some estimates is the world\u2019s second most popular. It seemed to symbolize how far India has come, on and off the field, and how far it still has to go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Indian team had entered the final in Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, having handsomely won all 10 of its matches in the tournament. The image-savvy Mr. Modi hoped to lap up a moment of glory at Narendra Modi Stadium, in his home state, ahead of elections early next year, when he will be seeking a third term.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The choreography \u2014 of a strong leader handing the trophy to a commanding team that swept to victory \u2014 would serve to further fuse his image to the story of India\u2019s ascent.<\/p>\n
But by the time Mr. Modi reached the stadium toward the end of the match, India\u2019s chances had spiraled downward. He presented the trophy to the Australians after the crowd had mostly exited.<\/p>\n
\u201cDear Team India,\u201d the prime minister said in a consolation message<\/a> on X after the game. \u201cYour talent and determination through the World Cup was noteworthy. You\u2019ve played with great spirit and brought immense pride to the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n And there has been a lot for India, now the world\u2019s most populous nation, to be proud of this year. Its economy, the world\u2019s fifth largest, is the fastest growing<\/a> among major nations (even if that growth is highly unequal). It emerged as a powerful voice for developing nations as it hosted the Group of 20 summit<\/a> this year. And it became the first country to successfully land a rover<\/a> on the southern pole of the moon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In cricket, India is the world\u2019s undisputed economic powerhouse. At least 80 percent of revenues in global cricket come from India, global cricket officials estimate. Indian broadcast rights for international matches for a four-year period fetched about $3 billion.<\/p>\n In addition, there is the country\u2019s lucrative domestic league, the Indian Premier League. Its 10 teams are valued at about $1 billion on average, and the league, which draws the best players from India and around the world, sold its five-year media rights for about $6 billion.<\/p>\n