ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: India Won — MS Dhoni's Six in the Final vs Sri Lanka, India's First Home World Cup Title
India won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, defeating Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 2 April 2011. India captain: MS Dhoni. Sri Lanka captain: Kumar Sangakkara. India chased 275, winning with 10 balls remaining — MS Dhoni (91 not out off 79 balls, promoted ahead of Yuvraj Singh) hit Nuwan Kulasekara for six over long-on to seal the win. It was India's first World Cup since 1983 (28 years) and the first World Cup won by the host nation. Sachin Tendulkar had his final World Cup appearance and the team dedicated the win to him. Yuvraj Singh was Player of the Tournament (362 runs, 15 wickets). Zaheer Khan was India's leading wicket-taker. Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene scored 103 not out in the final. The final is famous for Dhoni's promotion ahead of Yuvraj and his match-winning 91*.
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — the first World Cup on the subcontinent since 1996. India, captained by MS Dhoni, won the tournament by beating Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 2 April 2011. It was India's first World Cup since 1983 — a 28-year wait — and the first time a host nation had won the World Cup since Australia in 1987. The final victory, built around Dhoni's match-winning 91 not out and the six that sealed it, is one of India's most celebrated cricket moments.
The Final: Jayawardene's Century and Dhoni's Six
Sri Lanka posted 274/6 in the final, anchored by Mahela Jayawardene's 103 not out — his only World Cup century, scored at the greatest possible moment. India's chase began shakily — Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for 18 and India slipped to 31/2. Virat Kohli (35) and Gautam Gambhir (97) steadied the innings, but with Gambhir out at 223, India needed 52 from 59 balls with wickets in hand. MS Dhoni had promoted himself above Yuvraj Singh — a tactical decision that surprised commentators but proved correct. Dhoni hit the winning six off Nuwan Kulasekara to reach 91 not out off 79 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes). India won by 6 wickets with 10 balls remaining. Dhoni's six — and his raising of the bat — is one of cricket's iconic images.
Yuvraj Singh's Tournament and Sachin's Farewell
Yuvraj Singh was named Player of the Tournament for scoring 362 runs at 90.50 and taking 15 wickets — an all-round performance of remarkable quality, made more remarkable because Yuvraj was unknowingly playing through what was later diagnosed as early-stage lung cancer. Zaheer Khan was India's leading wicket-taker throughout the tournament, taking 21 wickets at 18.76. Sachin Tendulkar — in his sixth and final World Cup appearance — scored 482 runs but was unable to carry India into the final stages with his bat alone. After India's victory, teammates carried Tendulkar on their shoulders around the Wankhede, fulfilling a promise made before the tournament that they would carry him if India won.
Frequently asked questions
Why did MS Dhoni promote himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 World Cup Final?
MS Dhoni promoted himself to No.5 ahead of Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 World Cup Final because Sri Lanka were bowling left-arm spin (Rangana Herath), and Dhoni, as a right-handed batsman, had a tactical advantage against left-arm spin compared to the left-handed Yuvraj. The decision was controversial at the time — Yuvraj had been India's outstanding batsman in the tournament (362 runs at 90.50) and was the form player. But Dhoni's 91 not out off 79 balls justified the call. He hit the winning six off Nuwan Kulasekara to end India's 28-year World Cup drought.
Who was the Player of the Tournament at the 2011 Cricket World Cup?
Yuvraj Singh was named Player of the Tournament at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup for scoring 362 runs at 90.50 and taking 15 wickets at 25.13 across the tournament — an exceptional all-round performance. His most famous individual moment was taking 2/16 in the semi-final against Pakistan. Later in 2011, Yuvraj was diagnosed with lung cancer; his performance in the World Cup was delivered while unknowingly battling the illness. Sachin Tendulkar scored 482 runs in the tournament; Zaheer Khan took 21 wickets at 18.76 as India's leading bowler.