Cricket World Cup Champions - Team India

Twenty-eight years on from the match that transformed the history of world cricket, India recaptured the crown that Kapil Dev and his men first lifted at Lord's in 1983, and this time they did so in their very own back yard. An iron-willed 97 from Gautam Gambhir was matched for intensity by the finest captain's innings since Ricky Ponting in Johannesburg eight years ago, as MS Dhoni trumped a poetic century from Mahela Jayawardene to pull off the highest run-chase ever achieved in a World Cup final.

Against a triumphant backdrop at the Wankhede Stadium, victory was sealed by six wickets with 10 balls to spare, as Dhoni - who had promoted himself to No. 5 to heap extra lashings of responsibility onto his own shoulders - rushed through the gears as the victory target drew nearer. With 15 required from 17 balls, he flicked Sri Lanka's only true threat, Lasith Malinga, through midwicket for consecutive boundaries, before smoking Nuwan Kulasekara over long-on to finish on 91 not out from 79 balls, and spark the most delirious scenes of celebration ever seen on the subcontinent.

Read More - Source: ESPNCRICINFO

India 277 for 4 (Gambhir 97, Dhoni 91*) beat Sri Lanka 274 for 6 (Jayawardene 103*, Sangakkara 48) by six wickets


How it happened?

Its how it started: Cricket Match of ICC World Cup 2011 Final - Toss Controversy - Match Referee could not hear call, because of this Toss Controversy occurs on the ICC World Cup 2011 Final Match between India and Sri Lanka which has just started at 2.30 PM. Sri Lanka Won the toss and elected to Bat First!


India got its first break through 1-17 (Tharanga, 6.1 ov) - Wonderful Catch by Sehwag in Zaheer Khan's Superb Bowling.

While, Zaheer Khan opened his account with three consecutive maidens and the scalp of Upul Tharanga in a peerless spell of 5-3-6-1, Harbhajan Singh managed to pick his 1st Wicket of the match on the 3rd ball of the 17th Over in the form of Dilshan - Now the Score is 2-60 (16.3).













At one point, Sri Lanka was looking safe and focussed at 122/2 (27.4) - until Yuvraj Singh breaks the 2nd best partnership of Sri Lanka "62" from Sangakkara(29)and Jayawardene(33), in the form of Sangakkara's edge catch to Dhoni just before his Half Century (at 48 of 67 Balls) - (If we observe there is not even a single extra run from Indian Players in this partnership). In addition to the sharp Indian fielding, this edge catch is a big wall to the Sri Lankan's Score Machines now!!

Jayawardene never knew, his score is 50 - it was much required for his team now!Crucial 57 Run partnership from Samaraweera(21) and Jayawardene(32)of 62 Balls stopped Sri Lankans at 4/179 (of 38.1) with a dramatic dismissal of Samaraweera (Yuvraj Singh implored Dhoni to call for a review after his appeal for the LBW).

Very next over, Zaheer Khan took his 21st Wicket of the World Cup Series. Sri Lanka lost Kapugedera's wicket. Raina took the catch - Team India is playing with full of concentration!

In the process of accelerating the score card, Jayawardene (33 Runs of 19 balls) along with his partner Kulasekara (32 runs of 30 balls) scored a total of 66 Runs Partnership off 49 Balls. Sri Lanka lost Kulasekara's wicket (Run Out by Dhoni) at 6/248 (47.6).

Jayawardene's best innings of his career brings him his 14th ODI Century - 103* of Just 88 balls and Perera's quick 22 Runs contribution of Just 9 balls (including 3-4's and a 6) helped Sri Lanka to set 275 as Target for Team India.



This was concidered as a decent Score with a kind of specialist bowlers they have in their team.


Indian Team has started proceedings to chase a 275 run mark with a solid openers:- Dashing - Sehwag and Master - Tendulkar!!

Malinga's second ball made all Indians very calm (its also just the second ball of the innings) - both at the ground and also in front of their television sets! Sehwag was declared as LBW (Out) (after a review/chance taken by him) - Sehwag dismissed at Zero (0/1, 0.2 Overs)!! He also wasted one chance of DRS.

Gambhir came at one-down to partner with Tendulkar, he knows very well that this should be a very responsible innings for him in his career (because they have to chase a decent score of 275 runs, that too against Sri Lanka). Both were playing very well until 6 Overs it was 31 runs then, with a run rate of just over 6! Sachin is at 18.

Another Big blow for Indian Team, this time we lost Sachin Tendulkar(18 Runs of 14 Balls - with 2 fours) on the very first ball of Malinga's 4th Over!
Sachin dissappointed all his fans who kept high hopes on him, that he will get us The World Cup with his 100th International Ton, perhaps he has to send Kohli at two-down to manage the situation.

Score Card is now too worse :( showing :- 31/2 at 6.1

However, Kohli along with the brilliant Gambhir added 83 more important runs to the team, but now we lost Kohli (at 35 Runs of 49 Balls with 4 fours) - simple catch to the bowler - Dilshan. Anyhow it was a decent individual and partnership contribution at a very important stage of the match!

Dhoni has to come at Yuvi's position (three down), to take a very huge responsibility! Gambhir was study, he is as cool as Dhoni :) Score Card is showing 114/3 at 21.4 decent figures....


Brilliant Partnership between Dhoni & Gautam Gambhir brings India 109 More Runs 0ff 118 Balls.


Most unfortunately Gautam Gambhir Dismissed (at 97 Runs of 122 Balls with 9 fours) - he lost his controlled game and went for a front foot shot - he was unable to judge the ball!
Wonderful Innings by Gautam Gambhir - What a superb play by him today!

Score Card is now very interestingly :) showing 223/4 at 41.2


Yuvraj Singh (man in the form) has come to partner with cool Dhoni, just 52 Runs required from 52 Balls to proudly kiss the World Cup! What a wonderful innings by Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni, thanks to both of them for bringing this situation!

Yuvraj knows very well that he should stay till the last run that they need and Dhoni with his super commitment decided to stick until they lift the stump!!



What a superb shot, to end the game - by Dhoni (Its a winning shot, Massive Six) - truly the best Captain's Innings in the history of World Cricket, this brings World Cup Back to India after 28 years! Sangakkara has no words, other than just congratulating the Champions!!



Dhoni 91 Runs of 79 Balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes
Yuvraj 21 Runs of 24 Balls with 2 fours (a Very Cleaver Partnership) :) Forced the Score Card to show - 277/4 with 10 more Balls still remaining.









!Celebrations Started!

Team India Enjoying the Biggest Victory