'Vande Mataram and goosebumps' - Virat Kohli relives India's 2011 World Cup triumph on 13th anniversary

The entire nation is celebrating the 13^th anniversary of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph on home soil. Notably, on 2^nd of April 2011 MS Dhoni and his men ended the nation’s 28-year-long wait for the ODI World Cup trophy as they beat Sri Lanka in the final by six wickets at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

On the special occasion, star India batter Virat Kohli opened up on the magical night in Mumbai recalling the momentous day. Kohli, who was 22 years old at that time, said that winning in front of the home crowd will always be a special feeling and the goosebumps he felt while ‘Vande Mataram’ was played at the stadium will be a core memory for him.

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“The fact that we played in Wankhede and we ended up winning is always going to be the most special thing. Winning in front of your home fans is an experience I will never ever forget and that night and the songs that were being played ‘Vande Mataram’ and the goosebumps that we all felt is always going to be a core memory for me,” said Kohli in a video shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Notably, Kohli played a crucial knock of 35 (49) during the final after coming in to bat with India on 31/2. Both openers Virender Sehwag (0 off 2) and Sachin Tendulkar (18 off 14) were sent back in the pavilion by Sri Lanka speedster Lasith Malinga.

After the two early wickets, Kohli got involved in a crucial 83-run stand with Gautam Gambhir for the third wicket to stabilize the Indian innings. However, he was dismissed by Tillakaratne Dilshan who took a spectacular catch off his own bowling to send him back to the pavilion.

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MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir brought India into driver's seat

Following his dismissal, Gambhir (97 off 122) and captain MS Dhoni (91* off 79) added 109 runs for the fourth wicket to bring India into ascendancy. The southpaw got dismissed trying to reach his hundred quickly but Dhoni remained till the end and took India over the line with another crucial unbeaten 54-run stand with Yuvraj Singh (21 off 24). 

As a result, India emerged victorious by six wickets and clinched their second World Cup title. Dhoni was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning 91 while Yuvraj won the prestigious Player of the Tournament award for scoring 362 runs and picking 15 wickets.