April 2, 2011, remains etched in the hearts of Indian cricket fans as one of the greatest moments in the sport’s history. On this day, India lifted the ICC ODI World Cup for the second time, 28 years after their first triumph in 1983, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Fourteen years later, members of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad continue to cherish the memories of that historic night and took to social media to celebrate the anniversary of the momentous occasion.
“ON THIS DAY in 2011, India scripted history by winning the ICC Cricket World Cup! I still get goosebumps thinking about that iconic moment when @msdhoni hit that six! But it wasn’t just about one person; it was a team effort! Huge appreciation for the entire team’s hard work, dedication & perseverance! @GautamGambhir’s 97, @sachin_rt’s valuable contributions throughout, @YUVSTRONG12 all-round brilliance, @harbhajan_singh’s crucial wickets, @ImZaheer’s exceptional bowling & the entire support staff! @BCCI We all made India proud! #IndiaWinsWorldCup #2011WorldCup #Cricket #TeamIndia,” wrote Suresh Raina on X.
Virender Sehwag also reminisced about the special day, posting, “14 years ago #OnThisDay in 2011, we won the 50-over World Cup after 28 years. 42 years now and 2 World Cups. Shows how difficult it is and what a significant day it was for all of us to make the dream come true. A day I can never forget. Hoping we win the next one in 2 years.”
In the final, Sri Lanka, aiming for their second World Cup title, set India a challenging target of 275. Mahela Jayawardene anchored the Sri Lankan innings with a masterful unbeaten 103 off just 88 balls, striking 13 boundaries along the way.
India’s chase got off to a rocky start as fans were left stunned when Lasith Malinga dismissed Sachin Tendulkar, reducing India to 31/2 in the sixth over. However, a brilliant 97 from Gautam Gambhir and an exceptional captain’s knock of 91* by MS Dhoni steadied the innings, ultimately guiding India to victory. Dhoni’s iconic winning six off Nuwan Kulasekara sealed India’s triumph and remains one of the most celebrated moments in Indian cricket.
The celebrations that night lasted until the early hours of the morning, with the Indian tricolor waving proudly across the country. The victory was more than just a sporting achievement—it was an emotion, a collective moment of national pride.
The 2011 ICC World Cup final was significant in many ways, as it also marked the last time Sachin Tendulkar played in an ICC tournament for India. The victory was widely seen as a perfect farewell for the legendary cricketer, who had carried the weight of the nation’s expectations for over two decades.
Yuvraj Singh, the tournament’s Player of the Series, also shared an emotional tribute on social media, emphasizing how the team had fought to give Tendulkar the farewell he truly deserved.
“April 2, 2011—the night we did it for a billion people… and for one man who carried Indian cricket on his shoulders for over two decades. That World Cup wasn’t just a win. It was a thank you to a legend. We grew up watching @sachin_rt. That night, we played to give him the moment he deserved. 14 years later, the memory of India’s win still gives me goosebumps. A night we’ll never forget. @BCCI #throwback #WC2011,” Yuvraj wrote on X.
Even after 14 years, the memories of that historic night remain fresh in the minds of cricket lovers. The legacy of India’s 2011 World Cup victory continues to inspire generations of cricketers and fans alike, serving as a reminder of the power of teamwork, resilience, and national pride.
