Gautam Gambhir reveals how MS Dhoni’s advice distracted him from not scoring century in 2011 WC Final

Indian team’s 2011 World Cup win was probably one of the most unforgettable moments in the country’s cricket history. It was after 28 years that the Men in Blue became world champions and was the second world title under the leadership of MS Dhoni after the 2007 World T20 trophy. The whole country was ecstatic as far as the win was concerned and celebrated with crackers and dance.

One thing common in both the match was that Gautam Gambhir had top-scored in both finals, but the Man of the Match went to another player and Gambhir’s performances took backstage. Gambhir had scored 75 runs in World T20 final, but glory went to Irfan Pathan for his 3/16; while in 2011, MS Dhoni got the award for his 91*.

Gautam Gambhir has been on the throat of MS Dhoni for quite some time, calling his rotation policy in the 2012 CB series in Australia crap, when the then Indian captain dropped Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in turns in the opening spot. This time, Gambhir has revealed how a piece of advice from MS Dhoni cost him his century in the 2011 World Cup final.

“I tell every youngster and every person that before getting to 97, I never thought about my own individual score but looked at the target set by Sri Lanka. I remember that when an over was completed, I and Dhoni were at the crease. He told me that ‘these three runs are remaining, get these three runs and your hundred would be completed,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by The Week.

It’s important to stay in the present: Gautam Gambhir

He then mentioned that if Dhoni hadn’t reminded him of his personal milestone, he would have got there easily, given that once he was aware that he needed three runs for his hundred, in the rush of a moment he played a rash shot and lost his wicket on 97 to Thisara Perera. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni continued on his merry way and hit a brilliant six off Kulasekara to win India the match and made them World Champions once again.

“That’s why… till I was on 97, I was in the present, but as soon as I thought, I am three runs away from getting a hundred, then that rush of blood caused by the desire to get to a hundred (took over). That’s why it’s so important to remain in the present… when I was walking back to the dressing room after being dismissed, I said to myself that these three runs would trouble me for the rest of my life and that is true. Even to this day, people ask me why I couldn’t get those three runs,” he added.

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