'Memory of a lifetime' - Twitter celebrates 10th anniversary of India's win in 2011 World Cup

Exactly on this day in 2011, India’s long wait for the World Cup came to an end when the Men in Blue defeated Sri Lanka in the final of the tournament in front of a jam-packed partisan crowd at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Skipper MS Dhoni led from the very front and scored an unbeaten 91 to guide the team to the historic win.

It was India’s second triumph in the 50-over World Cup and the first since 1983. The historic victory also saw India become the first-ever team to win the elusive trophy at home. Since then, India have not laid their hands on the World Cup. With the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and several other legendary cricketers in their ranks, India were the favourites for the 2011 World Cup and they lived up to the expectations.

Sri Lanka were also the favourites for the trophy and were looking almost invincible in the tournament. In the final, the Islanders put up a good show with the bat as they scored 274 for 6 in the allotted 50 overs. Legendary Mahela Jayawardene starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 103 while the likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Thisara Perera also played handy knocks.

India’s reply

Chasing 275, India were off to a disastrous start as they lost Sehwag and Tendulkar for just 31 runs. But before Sri Lanka could capitalise on the early breakthroughs, Gautam Gambhir, who would go on to top-score for India with 97, steadied the ship by sharing an 83-run stand with Virat Kohli before the latter was dismissed for 34.

After Kohli’s dismissal, Dhoni promoted himself up the order ahead of in-form Yuvraj Singh and it proved to be a masterstroke. Dhoni and Gambhir shared a decisive 109-run stand for the fourth wicket. Perera broke the stand when he castled Gambhir for 97. But unlike Gambhir, Dhoni kept his calm and anchored India’s chase brilliantly.

He and Yuvraj shared an unbeaten stand of 54 runs to take India home in the 49th over. Dhoni finished the game in style by hitting Nuwan Kulasekara for a maximum at long-on. And as India celebrates the 10th anniversary of the famous win, the cricketing fraternity took to Twitter to express the feelings over the game.

Here are some of the reactions:

So !! It’s been 10years …. Time flies, memories remain … What a day it was!!! #Worldcup2011 pic.twitter.com/J1urcLAMho

— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) April 2, 2021

It was the proudest moment for a cricketer, brother and a Indian cricket team’s fan https://t.co/viMNS3bTte

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 2, 2021

#10years of winning the World Cup, fulfilling the dream of every Indian around the world. It’s such a nostalgic feeling where I can relive each moment of lifting the trophy & making our country proud. It will be cherished forever. #Worldcup2011 #IndianCricketTeam @BCCI 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IFOttlXbUr

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) April 2, 2021

April 2, 2011 – a day when history was created! We wanted to win the WC for India & for the master @sachin_rt who carried the nation’s expectations over decades!

Indebted to be able to represent India & bring glory to our nation 🙏🏻 🇮🇳 #AlwaysBleedBlue #WC2011 @ICC @BCCI pic.twitter.com/kCR7pTL6Bx

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 2, 2021

In 2012, the coach of the Sri Lankan team who played that WC final in 2011 was also with KKR, and he told us that the man who took the game away from them was Gautam Gambhir.
Never gets his due for one of the great World Cup knocks under pressure!
Gautam Gambhir, April 2nd, 2011 pic.twitter.com/0spCXe7iH1

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) April 2, 2021

“When I die, the last thing I want to see is the six that Dhoni hit in the 2011 World Cup final.”
– Sunil Gavaskar#Dhoni #DhoniOurIcon pic.twitter.com/hewiDSZIf9

— धोनी का कट्टर समर्थक (@Mahiifanboii) April 2, 2021

April 2: 10 years ago , the moment of a lifetime. #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/mhicAPqDL2

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 2, 2021

Decade since the dreams of millions was fulfilled! #BleedBlue for the day! #AndhaNaalNyabhagam #WhistlePodu #Yellove 💛🦁 📸 – @ICC pic.twitter.com/n3rk2jK7Nb

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 2, 2021

🇮🇳🏆 2nd April 2011 when we all indians became the world champions..thank you for your love and support,prayers can’t believe it’s already 10 yrs @sachin_rt @GautamGambhir @virendersehwag @imVkohli @YUVSTRONG12 @msdhoni @ImRaina @iamyusufpathan @ImZaheer @munafpa99881129 pic.twitter.com/ftOWWGyHUX

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 2, 2021

A billion Indians won the World Cup on this day! Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 #10Years #ProudlyIndian pic.twitter.com/o6DaUibGKl

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 2, 2021

Unforgettable Night ❤️ https://t.co/YJDaM91UD1

— Navdeep Saini (@navdeepsaini96) April 2, 2021

It’s amazing how time flies. Can't believe 10 years have passed but what an iconic moment it was winning the World Cup after 28 years. Each and every player contributed In the making of #TeamIndia – @sachin_rt @GautamGambhir @msdhoni @YUVSTRONG12 🇮🇳🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/6aDFS9eaN8

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) April 2, 2021

A day that will always be etched in the memory of every Indian cricket lover. Well done guys ! #WorldCup2011 https://t.co/q9Fwune8jo

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) April 2, 2021

2011 WC Triumph was definitely one of the greatest moment of my sport-watching experience. The night that brought India to a standstill and Team 🇮🇳 were crowned World Champions 🏆 Brings so much joy watching it even after a decade. #10YearsOf2011WC pic.twitter.com/oTWzEcTp0Z

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 2, 2021

Thank you #TeamIndia for the unparalleled joy! #10thanniversary @BCCI pic.twitter.com/cXDWupQ4oo

— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 2, 2021