Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister claims 2011 World Cup final was fixed

Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has claimed that the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai was fixed. At the iconic Wankhede Stadium, the Men in Blue, led by MS Dhoni, won by six wickets with 10 balls to spare and it was the first instance of a team, winning the mega event on home soil.

Aluthgamage was the Sports Minister when the World Cup took place. He said that he doesn’t wish to make further revelations, bearing in mind the reputation of his country. He didn’t provide any evidence to the startling revelations either. He said that it was a game the Lankans could have won.

“I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game,” Aluthgamage was quoted as saying in an interview with News 1st.

Historic World Cup victory for India

In that game, Lankans, after electing to bat first, managed 274 runs for the loss of six wickets. Mahela Jayawardene played a stupendous hand, scoring 103 runs off 88 balls with the help of 13 fours. He also got adequate support from Kumar Sangakkara and Nuwan Kulasekara, who both scored in their 30s and 40s.

While defending the target, Lasith Malinga jolted the home team with a couple of massive blows. The fast bowler nipped out Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag in quick succession to set the cat amongst the pigeons in the opposition dugout. However, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli’s 83-run stand bailed India out to some extent.

In the end, Gambhir got out on 97, cleaned bowled by Thisara Perera. However, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh made sure that their team got over the line without any further hiccup. The Indian skipper deposited Kulasekara over long on to seal the fate of the game, giving India the World Cup after 28 long years.

Dhoni also went on to become the Player of the Match for scoring 91 off 79 balls with the help of eight fours and a couple of sixes. Even after almost a decade, the memories of the historic win haven’t faded away from the minds of the Indian supporters.