The Unforgettable Hero: Gautam Gambhir’s Crucial Role in India’s 2011 World Cup Victory

Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!

By the time Ravi Shastri said this from the commentary box, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium had turned into an ocean of blue. At the sight of those who conquered the world circling with tricolor flags, Kerala here and Kashmir there were absorbed. A night where all the hopes, dreams and expectations of a people for 28 years came true. There is something that underlines the fact that words are limited. Such were the feelings that night presented. After 1983, 2011 also saw India win the ODI World Cup.

April 2, 2011: The day India and Sri Lanka met in the final of the World Cup. Along with conquering Lanka and winning the title on that day, there are some images that are deeply etched in the minds of the fans. There are hypnotic moments. The second ball of the 49th over bowled by Nuwan Kulasekhara at the end of the Kalasha war. The winning moments of skipper Dhoni who crossed the boundary over the head of Kulasekhara himself. Perhaps no other moment in Indian cricket history has been as celebrated as that six.

Fans will never forget Yuvraj hugging Dhoni after he swung the bat. Yuvi was one of the leading architects of India’s success in the World Cup. Yuvi’s performances, both in batting and bowling, were crucial in winning the title. After that, the Indian players circled the Wankhede stadium carrying Sachin Tendulkar with the tricolor flag. His walk on the shoulders of a nation. The scene also won the Laureus Award for the best sports moment of the last 20 years.

There is one name that we should never forget as India revels in these spectacles for decades to come. There is a struggle. There is a rescue operation that deserves applause. The 2011 title triumph will never be complete without remembering that one-man performance that lifted the team from the brink of collapse long before Dhoni hit that final six. There is no comparison to the resurrection that Gautam Gambhir, a Delhiite, gave to India in that muddy blue jersey at a stage where dreams were shattered. If he hadn’t scored such a 97, Thala and his team might have been in tears in the middle of Wankhede. So while appreciating Dhoni and Yuvraj, one can’t pass without reminiscing at least a little about his under-celebrated performance.

India and Sri Lanka entered the final in search of their second World Cup title. Fans are excited to see who will win the World War at Wankhede in Mumbai. Lanka batted first. Openers Dilshan and Upul Tharanga did not get off to a good start, but Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena, who came after them, established themselves at the crease. Batentia Mahela scored an unbeaten century without being caught by the Indian bowlers. Finally, Lanka’s innings ended with 274 runs at the loss of six wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

India batted in reply with a target of 275 runs. The umpire raised his finger on Virender Sehwag in the second ball itself. India hadn’t opened their account when Sehwag was dismissed LBW by Malinga. Gautam Gambhir walked into the field as usual in the middle of a half-silent Wankhede Stadium. He welcomed him with a four on the very first ball. But Malinga dismissed Sachin on the first ball of the seventh over. There were only 31 runs on India’s scoreboard then.

Gambhir started the rescue operation with Virat Kohli, who came in at number four. India managed to score only 41 runs in the first powerplay. However, both of them formed a partnership and moved the Indian score. Gambhir completed his half-century in team 99. Gambhir proceeded by hitting the spinners and pacers alike. Hope spread again in the Indian camp. With the team score at 114, India lost Kohli’s wicket. Next was the turn of the captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

photo: AFP

Gambhir also formed a partnership with Dhoni. Both of them hit the Lankan bowlers on the offside and legside alternately. Sri Lanka’s hopes began to fade as Gambhir batted as the game progressed. India came back strongly in the match. The team score soon crossed the 200 mark. On the other hand, Dhoni also got stronger by scoring a half-century. India lost Gautam Gambhir as the team stood at 223. Gambhir returned with 97 runs from 122 balls accompanied by nine fours. He fell three runs short of a century but came back with an innings that would bring India back into the match. There was applause as the Delhi man returned to the dugout with his jersey stained with mud. At the stage of Gambhir’s dismissal, India needed 52 runs from 52 balls. Yuvraj and Dhoni, who came in later, finished what he started. Dhoni capped the celebrations with a six off the second ball of the 49th over. Second World Cup for India.

Although Dhoni was chosen as the man of the match, arguments arose from many quarters that Gambhir was more deserving. Discussions were also given way. Be that as it may, it can be said that Gambhir returned from Wankhede winning the hearts of the Indian fans that day. Gambhir has said that winning the World Cup is more important than a century in the final. Gambhir has said one more thing. About his muddy jersey, a sign of India’s World Cup victory. Gambhir clarified that the jersey will be framed and kept without washing. He is a fighter who goes beyond individual achievements to bring the team out in times of crisis. That struggle cannot be forgotten. No matter how long it takes.

2023-10-07 11:15:00

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