I suggested MS Dhoni to promote himself in 2011 World Cup final chase: Sachin Tendulkar

On April 2, nine long years completed for India’s historic World Cup win when they defeated Sri Lanka in 2011 at the Wankhede Stadium. It was the captain MS Dhoni who hit a gigantic six over long on to seal things as India won their second 50-over World Cup. Gautam Gambhir had also played a crucial role scoring 97 runs in the chase. But Dhoni promoting himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh after India were 114/3 worked wonders for the country.

The skipper went on to score a game-changing 91* off just 78 balls with eight fours and a couple of sixes that led India to a famous victory. However, it has now been revealed that it was Sachin Tendulkar’s thought to promote the Indian skipper in the mega final. Though it could’ve been a dangerous move as Dhoni wasn’t in great form throughout the tournament.

The man himself recalled the moment when he sent a message through Virender Sehwag and said, “Gautam (Gambhir) was batting brilliantly and someone like Dhoni could’ve kept rotating the strike. So I told Viru, ‘tu overs ke beech mein sirf ye baat bahar jaake MS ko bol aur next over shuru hone se pehle waapis aaja.

“Main yahan se nahi hilne wala (Just go out into the balcony between the overs only to say this much to MS and come back fast before the next over begins. I’m not moving from here),” Sachin Tendulkar told while speaking to the Times of India.

Dhoni, Sehwag, Tendulkar and Kirsten discussed before taking a final call

Virender Sehwag, who watched the entire final with Sachin Tendulkar sitting in the dressing room, revealed that MS Dhoni co-incidentally came in when the latter was talking to him. This is when Sachin told him to consider his promotion in the batting order and the trio discussed the possibility with the head coach Gary Kirsten after which the final decision was taken.

“I asked MS to consider this strategy. He then went to (coach) Gary (Kirsten), who was sitting outside. Then Gary came in and all four of us got talking about it. Gary too agreed it was the right thing to do, given the attack on hand. MS also agreed and promoted himself up the order,” Tendulkar further added. Eventually, the move turned out to be historic for India as Dhoni played an innings of his life to win the game for India.

“Gautam’s knock was exemplary. It put the chase in perspective and set the platform. And the way MS finished it was brilliant. It was an imperious knock. That six was the icing on the cake,” the master blaster concluded.