2011 Cricket World Cup — India's Home Triumph Explained
India won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil, beating Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede Stadium. MS Dhoni's six to win the cup became an iconic moment.
India's Home World Cup Campaign
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was the first World Cup since 1987 hosted in the subcontinent and ran from February to April 2011. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh all had home matches, creating an electric atmosphere. India entered as one of the tournament favourites with a strong batting lineup built around Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and Virat Kohli.
Sachin Tendulkar's Final World Cup
For Sachin Tendulkar, 2011 was his sixth and final World Cup. He scored 482 runs including two centuries, making him the tournament's leading run-scorer. When India won the title, Yuvraj Singh — the Player of the Tournament with 362 runs and 15 wickets — and teammates lifted Tendulkar on their shoulders, a moment that captured 28 years of the great batter's World Cup journey.
The Wankhede Final — Dhoni's Match-Winning Six
The final against Sri Lanka at Wankhede, Mumbai on April 2 will never be forgotten. Sri Lanka posted 274/6. India's chase wobbled at 114/3 after losing Tendulkar and Sehwag early. MS Dhoni promoted himself above Yuvraj Singh, batting at number five. He made 91* and, needing 4 from 3 balls, hit Nuwan Kulasekara over long-on for six. India reached 277/4, winning by 6 wickets. Gautam Gambhir, the unsung hero, made 97.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2011 Cricket World Cup?
India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup, beating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. MS Dhoni hit the winning six.
Who was Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup?
Yuvraj Singh was Player of the Tournament with 362 runs and 15 wickets, including two match-winning all-round performances.