'A day when billions jumped in joy' - Twitter ecstatic on 11th anniversary of India's 2011 WC victory

April 2, 2022. A date that no Indian cricket fan will ever forget as it was on this very day 11 years ago that India lifted the World Cup for the second time after a long wait of 28 years. At the same time, the Men In Blue also became the first host nation to win the coveted trophy after defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

This title triumph was a result of the sincere hard work put in by the players, support staff, and other unsung heroes. This was Sachin Tendulkar’s final chance to fulfill his childhood dream. In his five unsuccessful attempts, the closest the Master Blaster could get was till the finals in 2003 when the Men In Blue went down to Australia in a one-sided contest.

When India conquered world cricket on April 2, 2011

The 2011 World Cup final started with the infamous toss incident which took place twice due to a misunderstanding between both captains. Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat. The Lankans were off to the worst possible start as pace spearhead Zaheer Khan bowled three maidens.

However, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene steadied the ship with a 62-run stand for the third wicket before the former was dismissed for 48. Jayawardene took the responsibility of anchoring the innings and went on to score an unbeaten 103 runs from 88 deliveries that propelled Sri Lanka to a stiff total of 274/6 from their 50 overs.

In reply, India lost Virender Sehwag for a second-ball duck before Sachin Tendulkar was caught behind by Sangakkara off Lasith Malinga for 18 and at 31/2, it seemed as if the floodgates had opened up for Sri Lanka to win yet another World Cup after 1996. Nonetheless, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli’s 83-run third-wicket stand pulled things back for the hosts.

After Kohli’s dismissal for 35, in a rather surprising move skipper MS Dhoni promoted himself up the batting order ahead of an in-form Yuvraj Singh and took some time to settle down, but unleashed some delightful strokes once he was well set. India suffered a huge blow when Gautam Gambhir was bowled for 97 by Thisara Perera. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj then ensured that there were no further hiccups as they reduced India’s deficit smoothly.

In the penultimate over, Dhoni struck pacer Nuwan Kulasekara over long-on for a huge six as India were crowned world champions. He was adjudged the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 91 runs from 79 deliveries, while Yuvraj was named the Player of the Tournament for scoring 362 runs and picking up 15 wickets.

Here is how Twitter is remembering the day after 11 years

OTD 2011,INDIA🇮🇳lifts the world cup after 28 years. Under #MSDhoni captancy🤩🔥#Dhoni.#ChennaiSuperKings.#India @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/fsfRYQb3JO

— Deepakdhoni (@7Deepakdhoni) April 1, 2022

#OnThisDay In 2011

India Won Worldcup after 28 years by beating Srilanka 🇮🇳

Historical day in Indian Cricket, A Billion Dreams came true Including Sachin 💙

"Couldn't have asked for anything more than this. Winning the world cup is the proudest moment of my life" – @sachin_rt pic.twitter.com/VYzV6oTZam

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) April 1, 2022

It wasn’t just a world cup victory, it was the dream of a billion Indians being fulfilled ❤️ Proud to be a part of this team that wanted to win the cup for the country & for @sachin_rt 🏆 Nothing can match the pride of wearing the tricolour & bringing glory to the nation 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/bsrKIWdKnM

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 2, 2022

𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 – a day when billions jumped in joy! The day when India 🇮🇳 lifted the 🏆 A night that I have lived over and over again! @sachin_rt @GautamGambhir @virendersehwag @imVkohli @YUVSTRONG12 @msdhoni @ImRaina @iamyusufpathan @ImZaheer @munafpa99881129 pic.twitter.com/Q1toL4J3sF

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 2, 2022

11 years since the glorious day that brought a smile to billion faces! Can never forget #TeamIndia's World Cup win 🤩🏆

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) April 2, 2022

What a day,winning the World Cup with the God of cricket @sachintendulkar and with the legends of Indian cricket history (such a great family and dear ones was priceless)can’t forget a single moment ..#honoured #blessed #india #cricket #bcci #humbled #kerala pic.twitter.com/nWjXK6QLcH

— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) April 1, 2022

A trip down memory lane 👌#OnThisDay in 2011 ➡️ #TeamIndia became ICC World Cup Champions 🏆🔝

How good were these two on the night of the final! 🔥@msdhoni | @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/g50eufIuVV

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 2, 2022

Man for the finals – Gautam Gambhir!!!!!
75(54) in the 2007 T20 World Cup Final and 97(122) in the 2011 ODI World Cup Final – champion player showed his gritty, tough and fighting attitude in both the matches. pic.twitter.com/XPy2vq2vlM

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 2, 2022

I was 12 years and saw each and every games of World Cup 2011.
Will always remain special for me. 🥳
P.S: Ignore my handwriting but pic.twitter.com/PcnkvovGZI

— Alok Ranjan 🇮🇳 (@itsalokranjan) April 1, 2022

Biggest heroes of India's 2011 World Cup

Yuvraj: 362 runs & 15 wkts , 77 runs in Knockouts & 6 wkts

Sachin : 482 runs , 156 runs in Knockouts

Gambhir : 393 runs , 174 runs in Knockouts

Zaheer : 21 wkts , 6 wkts in KOs

Sehwag,Dhoni,Bhajji ,Raina,Kohli,Munaf,also chipped in pic.twitter.com/ijVSuRFeVp

— Abhinandan (@Abhinandan673) April 2, 2022

On this Day 2011,

Greatest moment in the history of Indian cricket till now

“MS Dhoni finishes off in style "pic.twitter.com/SkCR19gNoV

— Ravi MSDian ™ (@MSDevoteee) April 1, 2022

Everytime when I watch the Visuals of 2011 World Cup Final i get Goosebumps! A moment that is forever etched in our memories for a Lifetime #OnThisDay #CWC11

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 2, 2022

Etched in our memories FOREVER! ☺️ ☺️

🗓️ #OnThisDay in 2011, #TeamIndia won the ODI World Cup for the second time. 🏆 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HcsrWzJGJ1

— BCCI (@BCCI) April 2, 2022