2011 World Cup Finals
On this day in 2011(April 2) the final World Cup match was played between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai. India won the Cricket World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets. India lifts their second ICC Cricket World Cup after 28 years. The final had a viewership of about 67 million people all over the world.
Sri Lankan Batting
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and opted to bat, the visitors posted 274/6 in 50 overs on the back of former captain Mahela Jayawardene’s 14th ODI century. Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the 17th over, Jayawardene top-scored for his team with 103* (88) with the help of 13 fours.
With bowling figures of 10-0-49-2, India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was the pick of their bowlers. Pacer Zaheer Khan (India’s highest wicket-taker in the tournament), who bowled three consecutive maiden overs with the new ball, had also dismissed two batsmen.
India’s batting
In reply, India lost their opener Virender Sehwag in the second ball of the innings. Sachin Tendulkar, too, got out in quick succession. The next set of batsmen, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli added 83 runs in 15 overs before the latter got out in the 22nd over. India captain MS Dhoni, promoting himself up the order, joined Gambhir and they both added 109 runs, an Indian record in a World Cup final.
Gambhir got out for 97 runs in the 42nd over. India chased down the total and won the match by six wickets in the 49th over. Dhoni was declared the “man of the match” for scoring 91 runs(with the help of eight fours and two sixes). Where Yuvraj Singh was awarded the “Man of the Tournament”.
Post Winning
This was the second time in World Cup history where a host nation won the final and the first time to win on their home ground. Virat Kohli said, “he has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It is time we carried him on our shoulders. “Gautam Gambhir dedicated the victory to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and to the soldiers guarding India’s borders
