ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2011
2011 · 14 teams · ODI cricket
Tournament Overview
Series Overview
The 2011 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup was co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh and delivered one of the great finales in World Cup history. India had won the tournament in 1983 under Kapil Dev, and 28 years later — in the final at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium — MS Dhoni's team had the chance to repeat the feat on home soil. Sri Lanka, the most consistent team of the tournament, posted 274/6 in the final, with Mahela Jayawardene producing a breathtaking 103 not out — an innings of complete mastery. India's chase began badly, losing Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag early to set up a tense final. Gautam Gambhir steadied the innings with a vital 97, before Dhoni promoted himself up the order and made the decision of the tournament. In partnership with Gambhir, and then with Suresh Raina, Dhoni calculated every remaining ball with forensic precision. With India needing to win, he launched Nuwan Kulasekara over long-on for a straight six that cleared the boundary — and cleared every doubt. India had won the World Cup. The scenes at the Wankhede Stadium were extraordinary, with Sachin Tendulkar — playing in his sixth and final World Cup — being carried on teammates' shoulders around the ground. Yuvraj Singh, who had also battled illness throughout the tournament, was the deserving Player of the Tournament for his extraordinary dual contribution.
Key Highlights
- 1India won the ODI World Cup on home soil after 28 years — MS Dhoni's match-winning 91* sealed the title at Wankhede
- 2Dhoni's straight six off Nuwan Kulasekara to win the match is one of cricket's most iconic moments
- 3Yuvraj Singh was a dual hero: 362 runs AND 15 wickets to win Player of the Tournament
- 4Mahela Jayawardene scored 103* in the final for Sri Lanka — the highest score by a player on the losing side in a World Cup final
- 5India chased 275 in the final, losing two early wickets before Gambhir (97) and Dhoni (91*) put on a match-winning stand