Chennai: On this day in 2011, India became the champions of the World after they lifted the coveted World Cup trophy in an epic final that saw MS Dhoni finish off the chase in what has become his trademark finish now at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
By doing so, India became the first team in World Cup history to win the title on home soil. Dhoni became just the second Indian skipper after Kapil Dev in 1983 to win the World Cup for India.
The then Team India skipper played a powerful knock of 91 off 79, sealing the deal with a huge six over long on off Nuwan Kulasekara. And then did that bat twirl!
Gautam Gambhir played a crucial innings as well and added a magnificent 109-run partnership with Dhoni.
It was also a night to remember and a fitting tribute to one of the greatest players the game has seen, Sachin Tendulkar, who lifted the trophy in his sixth and last appearance at the biggest stage in cricket.
Yuvraj Singh was at the other end when Dhoni sealed off things, remaining unbeaten on 21. The all-rounder was adjudged Player of the Series for his all-round show with the bat and ball, having scored 362 runs and picking up 15 wickets.
A recap of the final: India chased down Sri Lanka’s 274 with 6 wickets and 10 balls remaining, thanks to Gambhir’s 97 and Dhoni’s 91. Sri Lanka posted 274 in the first innings, courtesy of a century from Mahela Jayawardene.
