‘Time of our lives’ -2011 World Cup winners react to the WC final win against Sri Lanka at Wankhede
India won the 2011 World Cup final by 6 wickets.
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Apr 2, 2023 3:55 pm
2011 India (Source: Twitter)
India scripted history on the night of April 2, 2011 as they won their second 50 over World Cup under the leadership of MS Dhoni. India defeated Sri Lanka in the epic encounter to win the match by 6 wickets and it has been 12 years since the iconic game. MS Dhoni gave India the winning hit off Nuvan Kulasekara, leaving the entire nation in joy. When that six was hit, the whole of India shed happy tears as the Men in Blue lifted the World Cup after 28 years.
“Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lifts the World Cup after 28 years!” This is what Ravi Shastri said after Dhoni’s six went into the night sky and high into the stands.
Every Indian cricket fan jumped on their feet. The streets of India became alive and people were seen waving national flags on their vehicles. Wild celebrations went deep into the night as people could not believe what happened.
MS Dhoni hit the winning shot off Nuvan Kulasekara in the 48th over during the run chase
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ravichanadran Ashwin said in an interview on Cricket Diaries that Sangakkara had mistakenly called ‘Hails’ at the toss and that is why there was a re toss. Sri Lanka were led by Mahela Jayawardene with the bat, who scored an exquisite 103 off 88 balls with 13 fours. The Lankans were given the perfect finishing touch from Kulasekara and Thisara Perera. The Islanders got to 274-6 in their 50 overs.
In the second innings, India were tottering at 32-2 after the early wickets of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. Then, it was up to Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir to do the rebuilding act. Kohli scored 35 off 49 balls with four fours, while Gambhir made a stellar 97 off 122 balls, including nine fours. When Kohli departed at the score at 114, Gambhir allied with Dhoni to take the total closer to the target.
The two kept chipping away with runs and took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers. Dhoni, in particular, attacked Malinga with ease. On the second ball for the 48th over, Dhoni hit the winning six and made the whole of India smile. Yuvraj Singh was awarded as the Player of the Tournament.
Here are the reactions from the 2011 World Cup winning team:
— Gautam Gambhir (Modi Ka Parivar) (@GautamGambhir) April 2, 2023
April 2 12 years ago , the moment of a lifetime, the time of our lives, what we played for bore fruit. #WorldCup winners – Team India. pic.twitter.com/pWY2pww0XO
