India's 2011 World Cup Victory Explained: MS Dhoni's Six, Yuvraj Singh's Tournament, Lord's to Wankhede
India's 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory (April 2, 2011, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai) — their second ODI World Cup title, 28 years after Kapil Dev's 1983. MS Dhoni's match-winning 91 not out (the six to win), Yuvraj Singh's Man of the Tournament (362 runs + 15 wickets), and why a billion people watched on television. The first World Cup victory on home soil for any team.
On April 2, 2011, India won their second ICC Cricket World Cup — 28 years after Kapil Dev's 1983 triumph. The Final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, had India chasing Sri Lanka's 274/6 (50 overs). India won by 6 wickets in 48.2 overs — MS Dhoni finishing with 91 not out from 79 balls, hitting a six over long-on to seal victory. The moment — Dhoni's six, Wankhede's crowd erupting, players embracing on the pitch — is one of cricket's most iconic images. An estimated 135 million Indians watched the Final on television.
The 2011 World Cup: India's Journey to the Final
India's 2011 World Cup path: (1) The tournament: the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh (February 19-April 2, 2011). 14 teams competed in a round-robin group stage followed by a Super 8 knockout phase and semi-finals. Pakistan, Australia, and Sri Lanka were considered India's main rivals; (2) Key group stage moments: India's group stage included memorable performances — Sachin Tendulkar scored heavily (482 runs in the tournament, including a century vs Bangladesh). India vs Pakistan (group stage, March 30, 2011, Mohali) was the most watched cricket match in history to that point — a semi-final between India and Pakistan would have been extraordinary. India vs Pakistan was a group match, not a semi-final; (3) India vs Pakistan — the actual semi-final (Mohali, March 30, 2011): this was a semi-final, NOT a group match — Pakistan were in the other semi-final group. India beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the semi-final at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. Tendulkar scored 85; Zaheer Khan took 2 wickets. The match was watched by a record number of Indian and Pakistani television viewers.
Yuvraj Singh: Man of the Tournament
Yuvraj Singh's extraordinary tournament: (1) The statistics: Yuvraj Singh scored 362 runs and took 15 wickets in the 2011 World Cup — an all-round performance of historic value. His batting average was 90.50; his bowling economy was 4.11. He was named Man of the Tournament; (2) Yuvraj's key performances: 50 vs West Indies, 113 vs India's semi-final opponents, 83 in a group match, 2/27 + 4/56 in different matches. His bowling (left-arm orthodox) was consistently tight. His all-round contribution exceeded any individual previous World Cup performance except possibly Clive Lloyd (1975) and Imran Khan (1992); (3) The cancer diagnosis: after the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancerous growth in his left lung. He underwent chemotherapy in the US and returned to international cricket in 2012. The revelation — that he had played the 2011 World Cup while battling an undiagnosed cancer (feeling increasingly unwell during the tournament) — added a profound dimension to his tournament performance; (4) Yuvraj's career context: Yuvraj was also the hero of India's 2007 ICC World Twenty20 — hitting 6 sixes in 6 balls from Stuart Broad (Durban, 2007). His two World Cup titles (2007 T20, 2011 ODI) as a decisive contributor make him one of India's most celebrated match-winners.
The Final: Chasing 275, MS Dhoni's Six
The 2011 World Cup Final details: (1) Sri Lanka's innings: Sri Lanka batted first. Mahela Jayawardene scored 103 not out — carrying his bat through Sri Lanka's 50 overs. Kumar Sangakkara was dismissed early. Jayawardene's century was one of the great World Cup final innings — in a losing cause. Sri Lanka scored 274/6; (2) India's chase: Sehwag scored 0 (Malinga, 2nd ball). Tendulkar 18 (Dilshan). Then Gambhir and Kohli built the innings. Kohli went for 35. Dhoni joined Gambhir. They built a partnership of 109; Gambhir was dismissed for 97 (bowled by Thisara Perera) — agonizingly close to a World Cup Final century; (3) Dhoni's finishing: Dhoni and Yuvraj (9 not out, limited balls) completed the chase. In the 49th over, with 4 runs needed off 5 balls, Dhoni hit the decisive six — over long-on, off Nuwan Kulasekara. India won: 277/4 in 48.2 overs. The victory was achieved by 6 wickets with 10 balls remaining; (4) India's first home World Cup win: 2011 was the first time a Cricket World Cup was won by the host nation — India, playing the Final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, winning on home soil.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2011 Cricket World Cup?
India won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup — defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the Final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on April 2, 2011. India chased Sri Lanka's 274/6, reaching 277/4 in 48.2 overs. MS Dhoni scored 91 not out (79 balls) and hit the winning six over long-on. It was India's second ODI World Cup title (after 1983) and the first time a host nation won the World Cup Final. An estimated 135 million Indians watched the Final on television.
Who was Man of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup?
Yuvraj Singh (India) was named Man of the Tournament at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. His statistics: 362 runs at 90.50 average, 15 wickets at 25.13, economy rate 4.11 — an all-round performance of extraordinary quality. After the tournament, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer in his left lung — he had played the entire World Cup while becoming increasingly unwell without a diagnosis. He underwent chemotherapy in the US and returned to international cricket in 2012.
Why did Dhoni promote himself ahead of Yuvraj in the 2011 World Cup Final?
MS Dhoni promoted himself to No. 5 (ahead of Yuvraj Singh at No. 6) in the 2011 World Cup Final because he felt better equipped to handle Muttiah Muralitharan, who was still bowling in the middle overs when India were 114/3. Dhoni (a right-handed batsman) felt Yuvraj (left-handed) would face Muralitharan with his off-spin coming into the left-hander — a potentially more difficult matchup. Dhoni's promotion worked: he scored 91 not out and won the match. The decision, controversial when announced, is now regarded as one of the most celebrated tactical decisions in cricket history.