OTD in 2011: ‘India lifts World Cup’ – Relive the moment MS Dhoni-led Men in Blue claimed ultimate glory
OTD in 2011: India beat Sri Lanka to lift World Cup after 28 years, RELIVE!
The Indian Cricket Team and its countless fans worldwide realised their dream of winning the 50-over World Cup for the second time in history on this day (April 2nd) in 2011. The Men in Blue, led by MS Dhoni, beat Sri Lanka in the all-important final by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to clinch the ultimate glory. Zaheer Khan, Gautam Gambhir and skipper MS Dhoni starred with theirperformances in the summit clash.
The star cast of 2011 was filled with match-winners, from the legendary openers (Sehwag and Sachin) to the man of the tournament Yuvraj Singh, to the unsung heroes (Gautam, Raina and Yusuf), everyone contributed to India’s success on the top stage.
Even the bowlers were exceptional throughout; led by Zaheer, the pace attack looked in their element. Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel made inroads during crucial games, including the high-octane semis clash against Pakistan in Mohali. Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla made up the specialist spin attack, with others chipping in with wickets, striking a balance like never before.
The Big Day – The Final!
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India bowled first in the grand finale against perhaps the most sort-after team in the tournament – Sri Lanka.
Zaheer was on song on the day it mattered the most, bowling tight lines, resulting in the early breakthrough of Upul Tharanga. Dilshan and Captain Kumar Sangakkara stitched a partnership but Harbhajan and Yuvraj removed both, respectively.
Despite the Lankans losing wickets regularly, Mahela Jayawardene, alongside Kulasekara and Perera, ensured Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 274-6 on the board, with Mahela completing a hundred on the D-Day.
India got off to the worst possible start, losing attacking batter Sehwag on the second ball for a duck, with Sachin following him soon after inside the Powerplay. Two Delhi boys, Kohli and Gambhir bailed India out of trouble, stitching an 83-run stand for the third wicket before Dilshan sent Kohli packing.
However, what favoured India that day was the management’s call to send MS Dhoni ahead of Yuvraj Singh - India’s best bet at number four in the World Cup. That move paid dividends as Dhoni and Gautam put India in the driver’s seat. Though Gautam missed out on scoring a hundred, getting bowled on 97 to Perera, Dhoni remained unbeaten on 91 to see India through in the run-chase.
His six off Kulasekara to win the match and the World Cup is cherished to date as one of the game's greatest moments.
Meanwhile, it’s been 13 years to the day when India clinched the ultimate glory, and several players from that squad recall sitting on top of the world.
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