India won the 2011 World Cup in style, with Dhoni depositing Nuwan Kulasekara for a huge six straight over his head. That moment will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all Indian cricket lovers but the journey to reach that exact moment of greatness was the key that helped India lift the trophy under MS Dhoni in the 2011 World Cup. Cricreads brings the Indian team’s epic endeavour at the 2011 World Cup to salute and commemorate that historic World Cup win.
Here is the journey of India in the 2011 World Cup:
India decimates Bangladesh
In the opening game for India in the tournament, Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli scored hundreds to help India post a massive score of 370/4 in the 50 overs. Sehwag played a blazing inning of 175* off 140 deliveries while Virat Kohli debuting in the World Cup, notched up 100 off 83. India won the match by 87 runs to march with complete confidence in the tournament.
Tug of War against England
India faced England in the 2nd match at World Cup 2022, where they batted first to post 338 on the board with the help of Sachin Tendulkar’s 120 off 115. Yuvraj Singh, the man of the tournament in the World Cup, also played a significant inning of 58 runs. However, Andrew Strauss played an inning that almost took the match away from India. He scored a mammoth 158 before India regrouped to squeeze a draw ultimately.
Cruising victory against Ireland
The man with the golden arm for India in the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh, was the star performer in India for this victory against Ireland. Yuvraj took a fifer that helped India restrict Ireland to only 207 runs. India easily eclipsed the target on the back of Yuvraj Singh’s unbeaten 50* off 75 balls.
India Crushes Netherlands
The Dutchmen were on the receiving end of some excellent spells by Indian quicks. Zaheer Khan shined in this match with three important wickets. The spinners also contributed, with both Piyush Chawla and Yuvraj Singh picking up two wickets. India restricted the Netherlands to a meagre total of 189, which was easily conquered by the Indian cricket team.
South Africa stops India in its Tracks
South Africa was the only team in the 2011 World Cup that won against India. Sachin Tendulkar scored 111 off 101, while Gautam Gambhir notched up 69 to help India post a competitive total of 298 on the board. However, South Africa pulled off the chase on the back of half-centuries from Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers. Faf du Plessis also played a vital knock of 25* in the death overs.
India Vanquishes West Indies
In the last match for India in the group stage, Yuvraj Singh proved that he is India’s ace of the spade in the tournament. Yuvi played a fine knock of 113 off 123, comprising 10 fours and 2 sixes, to help India post 268 against the Caribbeans. Yuvi shined with the ball as well as he dismissed the dangerous Andre Russell and Devon Smith to help India wrap West Indies on 188 runs.
India Conquers the Defending Champions
In the quarterfinal of 2011 World Cup, India faced Australia in a match that Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina snatched out of the jaws of the Australian cricket team. Australia posted 260 on the board with Ricky Ponting’s excellent hundred and Brad Haddin’s half-century. India, in reply lost the explosive Virender Sehwag early and fell behind the run rate with each passing over. However, the Indian lefties in the death overs upped the ante to win the match for India.
Sachin takes India to the Final
Sachin Tendulkar had only one dream that he had not fulfilled in cricket before the 2011 World Cup. He wanted to be part of the World Cup-winning team for India. God must have heard the prayers of thousands of Indian cricket fans praying for their God of cricket’s dream. Pakistan dropped Sachin Tendulkar on five occasions in the semi-final, helping India post 260 on the board. India ultimately won the match by 29 runs to qualify for the finals.
India Lifts the Trophy after 28 years
The final between India and Sri Lanka was an absolute thriller of a game. Sri Lanka batted first and posted 274 on the board due to Mahela Jayawardene’s phenomenal unbeaten hundred. India, in reply, lost Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag quite early in the innings. However, Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni both played memorable innings that India needed to win the World Cup after 28 years. Gambhir made 97 off 122, while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 91* off 79.
Also read: Journey of India- The Most Successful Team in U19 World Cup.
