NEW DELHI: On this very day in history, April 2, 2011, marked a monumental moment for Indian cricket as the Men in Blue clinched their second ODI World Cup title. This triumph came after a 28-year wait since their first victory in 1983.
Entering the 2011 tournament, India stood as clear favorites, especially with the competition held in the sub-continent. Led by the astute MS Dhoni, India showcased dominance, losing just one match in the tournament against South Africa.
The semi-final clash against arch-rivals Pakistan set the stage for a thrilling final showdown with Sri Lanka. Winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first, with
Mahela Jayawardene
's century driving them to a competitive 274/6.
India's pursuit got off to a shaky start with early losses, but
Gautam Gambhir
and MS Dhoni's resilience forged a crucial 109-run partnership. Although Gambhir fell short of a century, Dhoni, alongside
Yuvraj Singh
, steered India to victory with six wickets in hand, Dhoni's iconic winning six etching itself into Indian sporting lore.
The moment was made even more poignant as
Sachin Tendulkar
, witnessing his dream realized after years of dedication, erupted with joy, tears of fulfilment streaming down his face.
Tendulkar's euphoric lap around the
Wankhede Stadium
post-victory, titled 'Carried On the Shoulders Of A Nation,' was later voted the greatest Laureus Sporting Moment of the past two decades, symbolizing the collective joy of a nation.
English (US) ·