'He Told Me To Come Around...': Harbhajan Reveals Dhoni's 'Game-Changing Advice' In Ind vs Pak 2011 WC Tie
Former off-spinner Harbhajan revealed what advice Dhoni gave him at that time that eventually helped him take Kamran Akmal's wicket on the very first ball of his next over.
New Delhi: The 2011 World Cup win is still regarded as one of the greatest moments in India's sporting history. Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, India won the 2011 World Cup at home, winning the World Cup for only the second time in history. Team India not only won the prestigious World cup but also gave a grand farewell to the great batsman Sachin Tendulkar, for whom the 2011 World Cup was the last of their six World Cups. As part of team India's World Cup-winning campaign, India defeated defending champions Australia in the quarter-finals and then arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-finals in Mohali.
In the semi-final match against Pakistan, India scored 260 runs for nine wickets batting first, courtesy of a solid 85-run innings from Sachin Tendulkar. In reply, Pakistan failed to build partnerships while chasing the target. However, after this, captain Misbah-ul-Haq had a good partnership with Umar Akmal. The Pakistani batter was looking dangerous, scoring 28 runs in 24 balls with the help of one four and two sixes.
After this, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni handed the ball to spinner Harbhajan Singh and also gave him a 'game-changing' advice. Former off-spinner Harbhajan revealed what advice Dhoni gave him at that time that eventually helped him take Kamran Akram's wicket on the very first ball of his next over.
Harbhajan said in Star Sports' program 'Dil Se India', "It was one of those matches where I felt that I was getting a little nervous. I bowled five overs, conceded about 26-27 runs. After this, there was a drinks break and at that time Dhoni said to me, 'Bhajju pa, aap wahan se daloge' (around the wicket). Kamran was playing well and Misbah too. They were scoring runs and the partnership between them was getting dangerous."
The former off-spinner continued, "Then I came to bowl and I remembered God. I just prayed for victory. And God listened to me. Just like I bowled around the wicket, on the very first ball. I got the wicket of Kamran Akmal."
Pakistan's batting collapsed after Akmal's wicket fell. After this, Pakistan lost wickets of Abdul Razzaq (3) and Shahid Afridi (19) cheaply. Misbah (56) fought alone, but the team was eventually bowled out for 231 in 49.5 overs.
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