On This Very Day In 2011, Dhoni Led India To A Second World Cup Title After 28 years

Nine years ago, on this very day, Indian cricket added one of their most cherished accomplishments in their glorious history by laying hands to glittering ICC World Cup Trophy for the second time after Sri Lanka in a pulsating grand finale at Wankhede Stadium In Mumbai

MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh In ICC World Cup Final (Image:Getty)

New Delhi: “Dhoni finishes it off in style, a magnificent strike into the crowd... India lift the World Cup!” These powerpacked words from much famed commentator, Ravi Shastri , still resonate loudly among the die hard Blue Billion Brigade of Indian cricket and are bound to stay in their memories of the fans till eternity. Nine years ago, on this very day, Indian cricket added one of their most cherished accomplishments in their glorious history by laying hands to glittering ICC World Cup Trophy for the second time after beating sub continent rivals Sri Lanka in a pulsating grand finale played out in front of a jam packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Those visuals of the Indian cricket team taking a lap of honour around the Wankhede Stadium and giving their cricket icon a beffiting farewell, with Sachin Tendulkar being lifted on the shoulders by their World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh and other young turks takes us back into time and relive that once in a lifetime nostalgia. In 2011, on this day, India won their second ODI World Cup trophy after defeating Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai. India did become World champions for the second time after winning their maiden title at Lord's way back in 1983 but the victory did not come easy at home. Sri Lanka took the hosts and pre-tournament favourites India to the distance and made them sweat hard for adding a second World Cup title to their gliterring piece of silverware. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 274/6 total on the baord riding high on a gritty hundred from Mahela Jayawardene. The elegant and wristy right-hander struck 13 well timed boundaries in his century to score an unbeaten 103 in 88 balls. Chasing a daunting 275-run target, India got off to a nightmarish start as Lankan pace spearhead Lasith Mallinga dealt a massive blow by dismissing openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early in the innings.Tottering at 31/2, India looked upon the Delhi duo comprising of the well established Gautam Gambhir and a fairly young Virat Kohli to rebuild the innings. The Delhi duo came good in the need of the hour to add a gritty 83 run partnership before Kohli was  sent back to the pavilion. With 3 wickets down and still another 161 to win the finals, India had a herculean task on their hands. The usual person to bat at this position was Yuvraj Singh, who had been in tremendous form throughout the tournament. MS Dhoni, on the other hand, had a forgettable tournament with the bat till the final. However, Dhoni was always known for backing his instincts to the hilt as a captain, and come the crucial stage of a big final, he decided to promote himself up the order over Yuvraj and take charge of things in argubaly one of Indian cricket's biggest match. He played himself in and built a partnership with Gambhir. A heroic innings by Gautam Gambhir (97) along with an exceptional captain's knock from Dhoni (91*) saved India the blushes and saw the 'Men in Blue' lift the World Cup after 28 years. The celebrations that night continued until the wee hours of the morning. The tri-colour was flying high and it was truly a moment for every Indian to cherish. There's no denying that April 2, 2011 remains one of the greatest days in Indian cricket history.