MS Dhoni promoted himself up the batting order and hit Nuwan Kulasekara for six over long-on to win India's second World Cup — the first on home soil, 28 years after the 1983 win. The moment fulfilled a nation's dream and carried the weight of Sachin Tendulkar's final World Cup.
India had not won a World Cup since 1983. The 2011 tournament was hosted across India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh — with the final at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, Sachin Tendulkar's home ground. Tendulkar, at 37, had announced this would be his last World Cup. An entire nation wanted one particular result.
Sri Lanka batted first and made 274/6. Mahela Jayawardene's 103 was superb. India's chase wobbled — Sehwag out for 0, Tendulkar caught for 18. At 114/3, the match was in the balance. Then Dhoni promoted himself above Yuvraj Singh (who had been the tournament's dominant batsman) to bat at number five. It was a bold, controversial decision.
Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir (who made 97) built India's chase. They put on 109 together. Gambhir fell for 97 — agonizingly close to a hundred. Dhoni continued with Yuvraj. With 4 needed off 6 balls, Dhoni took a single, leaving himself on strike.
Nuwan Kulasekara ran in from the Pavilion End. Dhoni waited, transferred his weight, and drove the ball over long-on. It cleared the rope. Six. India had won. Dhoni raised his bat and was engulfed by teammates.
In the stands, Sachin Tendulkar wept. The crowd of 33,000 at Wankhede — his home ground — screamed for minutes. Dhoni finished 91 not out. He was named Man of the Match. Sachin Tendulkar was carried around the ground on teammates' shoulders — the image that defined the night.
India 114/3 — Dhoni's controversial promotion above Yuvraj
Dhoni and Gambhir's 109 partnership — India back in the chase
Dhoni's six off Kulasekara — India win, 28-year wait over
April 2, 2011
World Cup Final, Wankhede, Mumbai
Sri Lanka innings
Jayawardene 103, Sri Lanka 274/6
India innings, 114/3
Dhoni promotes himself above Yuvraj — bold call
India innings, over 49
Dhoni six off Kulasekara — India win by 6 wickets
Dhoni's decision to promote himself above Yuvraj — initially criticized — was vindicated entirely by his 91 not out. India became the first team to win the World Cup on home soil. The 2011 final was the highest-rated television event in Indian history at the time.
The most celebrated moment in Indian cricket history since 1983 — and the image of a weeping Sachin Tendulkar being carried on teammates' shoulders made it as much about one man's career coming full circle as about the team's triumph.
The 2011 World Cup win transformed Dhoni into India's most beloved captain. His six has been replicated in celebrations across India ever since — every youngster who swings a bat over long-on in a local match is doing Dhoni's six. The image of Sachin being carried by teammates completed one of sport's great narratives.
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