Chennai: "Dhoni finishes off in style, a magnificent strike into the crowd. India lifted the World Cup after 28 years." These immortal words from Ravi Shastri will be etched in the minds of every Indian cricket fan.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's six on 2 April 2011 sent India into a state of joy as they became the champions of the 2011 ICC World Cup.
In the final, Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 274/6, with Mahela Jayawardene leading the way with a century (103 off 88). In reply, India lost both their openers, Virender Sehwag (0) and Sachin Tendulkar (18) early, and the scorecard read 31/2.
Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir then put on a partnership of 83 runs for the third wicket to resurrect India.
After the dismissal of Kohli with the scorecard reading 114/3, Dhoni walked out to the middle.
What followed was a passage of play that no Indian fan will forget. The Indian skipper put on a match-winning partnership of 109 runs for the fourth wicket with Gautam Gambhir (97).
Dhoni's innings was filled with some superb shots – a backfoot punch off Muttiah Muralitharan and a square cut off Thisara Perera that sailed over third man.
And then, came that winning moment – India were 4 runs away from victory, and Nuwan Kulasekara bowled a length delivery. Dhoni hoisted the ball over mid-on for a massive six, held his pose, as a nation erupted in joy.
India were the world champions, and their skipper had led from the front when it mattered, reported CSK portal. (UNI)
