Gautam Gambhir shares the emotions in the dressing room during 2011 World Cup Final

Although Gautam Gambhir played an anchoring inning to set India on the path towards victory, his knock was overshadowed by MS Dhoni’s demolition in the final. The 2011 World Cup was India’s all the way – playing in home condition, they started off as favourites. On the night of the final, however, India stuttered while chasing 275. They lost their prolific opening duo of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early on, which resulted in a pin drop silence at the Wankhede Stadium.

When the chips were down, Gambhir rose to the occasion to architect a match-saving innings of 97 from 122 balls to steady the ship for India. He departed agonisingly close to what would have been one of the best centuries in a World Cup finals, but his innings will be forever etched as one that defied all odds to hand India its first 50-over World Cup title.

During his recently concluded IPL campaign where Gambhir captained the Kolkata Knight Riders, the left-hander reminisced about that special night when India lifted the World Cup.

Gambhir recalls

“The first ball that Lasith Malinga bowled, I hit it for a boundary. At such times your nerves get settled as well. Whatever nerve was there, it was due to the fact that it was an international game, not because it was a World Cup final,” Gambhir said.

“It was not just about one or two individuals, but it was about everyone in the dressing room who believed that we could win the World Cup. There couldn’t have been a bigger stage set when you are chasing in the World Cup final that also at home. You never know whether you will get that opportunity ever again. You got to cherish the moment,” he added.

Earlier in the game, Mahela Jayawardene set the tone for Sri Lanka with a fantastic hundred. Thisara Perera provided a last-minute flourish to propel the Lankan total over the 270-run mark, which was always going to be challenging in a World Cup final.

“We were chasing 275 and I was not even ready when Viru (Virender Sehwag) got out LBW on the second delivery. I was still padding up. Because the decision was a referral, I got the time to get ready,” Gambhir shared.

Malinga removed Sehwag early, and the Indian fans were shocked when Tendulkar bit the dust as well. Suddenly, India found themselves in a spot of bother with the scoreboard reading 31/2. Two important partnerships followed for India. First up, the Delhi duo of Gambhir and Virat Kohli stitched a valuable 83-run stand to bring things back in order. The more important partnership came from Gambhir and skipper MS Dhoni, who had promoted himself up the order on the big night.

“The good thing that happened was there was nothing in my mind. If I had to wait for my opportunity, then there would have been a lot of things that would have gone on in my mind since it was a World Cup final and we were chasing 275,” recalled Gambhir.