“Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd. India lift the World Cup after 28 years. The party starts in the dressing room and it’s an Indian captain who’s been absolutely magnificent on the night of the final.”
These words, resonating with unbridled joy and disbelief, were passionately called out by commentator Ravi Shastri. Today, they are a testament to a historic moment etched in the collective memory of India’s cricketing narrative, marking its thirteenth anniversary. On an unforgettable Saturday evening, 2nd April 2011, India ended a long 28-year wait, fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of over a billion supporters.
In the streets, homes, and every conceivable corner where passion for cricket pulsates through the veins of the populace, a unified cheer erupted as an indelible chapter in India’s cricket history was written at the Wankhede Stadium. An iconic sporting moment was crowned, one that not only lifted the spirits of the nation but also realized the lifelong dream of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
For Tendulkar, witnessing India claim the 1983 World Cup was a seminal event that sparked his illustrious career. It was, in his words, “the turning point of my life.” Throughout his spectacular journey, amassing records and accolades, the World Cup remained an elusive emblem of glory, a piece that his career mosaic sorely lacked. Finally, this cherished piece was firmly placed by the virtue of a team effort, graced by his home ground in Mumbai.
Yuvraj Singh’s inspiring saga, battling ill health and overcoming cancer, saw him emerge as the tournament’s brightest star. His performance was not just a personal triumph, but an embodiment of India’s resilient spirit.
The foundation of India’s World Cup success was no overnight phenomenon; it was the culmination of a three-year plan dedicated to the pursuit of cricketing excellence.
The Men in Blue, under the composed leadership of MS Dhoni, executed near-perfection through the tournament. With only one loss and a tied game, their red-hot form was indisputable. Against Bangladesh in the opening match, the prowess of Virender Sehwag and the promise of a young Virat Kohli became evident, setting up a mammoth victory. The efficient bowling efforts of Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, and Harbhajan Singh complimented this batting might, casting a victory sign on the Indian canvas early on.
However, the journey was not without its tremors. A tie against England and a close defeat to South Africa introduced tension but also tempered the team with resilience. In the quarterfinal against formidable Australia, Ricky Ponting’s century was a stark reminder of the 2003 final defeat. Yet, redemption was at hand, with Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir anchoring the innings, and the vital partnership of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina ensuring a steady sail beyond Aussie shores.
An electrifying semi-final awaited as India faced arch-rivals Pakistan. Prime Ministers of both countries were attendees, adding to the pressure-cooker ambiance. Tendulkar’s 85 runs and Raina’s 36 provided a stronghold for India. The efficient bowling lineup, each bagging two wickets, ensured that the victory was India’s, paving their way to the final.
The grand finale against a robust Sri Lankan team teemed with cricketing giants like Dilshan, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Malinga, and Muralitharan. Mahela Jayawardene’s century and Thisara Perera’s fireworks laid down a formidable challenge; 275 runs was the mountain to scale.
The early loss of Sehwag and Tendulkar set hearts racing, but the partnership of Kohli and Gambhir resurrected hope. Gambhir’s gritty innings and Dhoni’s strategic elevation in the batting order formed an alliance that brought India on the cusp of victory, only a stroke away from eternal glory. The departure of Gambhir tantalizingly close to a century shifted focus to the partnership between Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh.
It was precisely this moment, forever imbued in the minds of cricket aficionados, when “Dhoni finishes off in style…” With that master strike, a nation’s longing for cricket supremacy was fulfilled. Celebrations ensued in a way only a cricket victory in India can incite. 2nd April 2011 remains an emblem of national pride and joy, a day when dreams were not just chased but captured under the magnificent lights of Wankhede, where legends and folklores were born.
