MyWorldCupFinalByte: When India lifted the World Cup in 2011
What's the story
"Dhoni finishes off in style... A magnificent strike into the crowd... India lift the World Cup after 28 years and it is an Indian captain who has been absolutely brilliant in the night of the final...!" MS Dhoni's monumental strike at Wankhede meticulously aligned with cheers all around the country on April 2. Here are some of our testimonies as India became World Champions.
Poornima Pandey
Poornima reiterates how Dhoni revived everyone's hopes
As a 12-year-old, I wanted India to win the precious final. I used to live with my grand parents. The final began and the whole family was glued to television. The adrenaline rush after watching Sachin depart got me crying. We were all waiting for a miraculous moment and Dhoni himself came out as a miracle. We screamed frantically before performing the victory anthems.
Nikhil Singh
'I was disappointed after Sachin was dismissed', says Nikhil
In the boys hostel, we gathered to watch the final on the common television. I was so dejected with Sachin and Sehwag's wicket that I rushed to my room right after that. Hence, I decided to follow the online commentary until India were back in the hunt. It was just majestic as I went back to witness the final few moments.
Shalini Ojha
I wanted to come out and celebrate on the street
I was living in a PG when the game happened. After a few initial hiccups, I had assumed India would lose. With every over that Malinga got, I cursed him and so did my roommate. With Gambhir's courageous knock, we got a ray of hope. The celebrations started after Dhoni's six. Only if our doors were not shut, we would have come on streets.
Parth Dhall
I can never forget the upheaval after Dhoni's six
I was at my aunt's place and this was one rare occasion wherein I was mighty expressive. In the mid-innings, my brother confidently conceded that "this is our game". However, there was an ominous silence when Sachin departed. Later, the silence escalated to loud chants as Gambhir and Dhoni took over. Everybody screamed in tandem when Dhoni struck that six to finish the game.
Match
India rode on resounding knocks by Gambhir and Dhoni
The thriller between India and Sri Lanka, which left the Indians animated, was worth the pandemonium. Although the match slipped away from India following Malinga's ferocious spell, Gambhir handled the pressure with ease. His heroic 122-ball 97 laid the foundation of what looked like a daunting chase. An unbeaten 91 by skipper MS Dhoni later propelled India to a historic triumph.
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh essayed India's journey throughout
While Dhoni was named the Player of the match, all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was adjudged the Man of Tournament. The stylish southpaw racked up 362 from nine matches and claimed 15 scalps in as many matches. Even though Yuvraj developed symptoms of a deadly cancer midway through the tournament, he went on to perform for India. His vital contribution handed India a moment of glory.
Dream
The Men in Blue honored Sachin Tendulkar post the victory
Ahead of the final, the Indian cricket fans dreamt of seeing Sachin hold the prestigious silverware at Wankhede. Virat Kohli, who later took the baton from him, stated, "He's carried the burden of the nation for 21 years on his shoulders and it is about time that we carried him on our shoulders." An emotional Yuvraj later revealed that he "did it for Sachin".