2011 World Cup Final: India Vs. Sri Lanka Scorecard
Relive the epic clash between India and Sri Lanka in the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final. Get the full scorecard, match highlights, and key moments from this unforgettable game.
A Day to Remember: The 2011 World Cup Final
The 2011 Cricket World Cup Final, played between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2, 2011, remains etched in the memories of cricket fans worldwide. This match was more than just a game; it was a culmination of years of dreams, hard work, and the unwavering support of a nation. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with every seat taken and the roar of the crowd palpable even through television screens. India, the host nation, was aiming to lift the trophy after 28 long years, while Sri Lanka, led by the astute Kumar Sangakkara, sought to repeat their 1996 triumph. This final was a battle of titans, a clash of cricketing philosophies, and a spectacle that delivered drama, excitement, and ultimately, jubilation for millions of Indian fans.
The significance of this match extended beyond the realm of sports. It was a moment of national pride, a unifying force that brought together people from all walks of life. The hopes and expectations of an entire nation rested on the shoulders of the Indian team, and they knew they had to deliver. The pressure was immense, but the team, led by the calm and composed MS Dhoni, remained focused on the task at hand. Every run scored, every wicket taken, was met with thunderous applause and fervent celebrations. The 2011 World Cup Final was not just a cricket match; it was a cultural phenomenon, a shared experience that will forever be ingrained in the collective memory of India.
From a strategic standpoint, both teams came into the final with well-defined game plans. India's strength lay in their batting depth and the spin prowess of Harbhajan Singh, while Sri Lanka boasted a formidable batting lineup and the deceptive pace of Lasith Malinga. The toss, won by Sri Lanka, proved to be a crucial moment, as they elected to bat first, aiming to put pressure on the Indian batsmen. The early stages of the match saw a cautious approach from both sides, with batsmen carefully building their innings and bowlers trying to exploit any vulnerability. The middle overs witnessed a flurry of boundaries and wickets, shifting the momentum back and forth. The final overs were a nerve-wracking affair, with every run feeling like a mountain to climb. The tension in the stadium was almost unbearable, as the match headed towards a nail-biting finish.
Scorecard Summary
Here's a quick recap of the final scores:
- Sri Lanka: 274/6 (50 overs)
- India: 277/4 (48.2 overs)
Sri Lanka Innings
Sri Lanka's innings was a story of resilience and calculated aggression. After winning the toss and electing to bat, they aimed to set a challenging target for the Indian team. The opening partnership was steady, providing a solid foundation for the innings. However, India's bowlers struck at crucial moments, preventing Sri Lanka from running away with the game. The middle order then took charge, with Mahela Jayawardene crafting a brilliant century under immense pressure. His innings was a masterclass in pacing and shot selection, guiding Sri Lanka to a competitive total.
The Sri Lankan innings was characterized by several key partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking. The batsmen rotated the strike effectively, frustrating the Indian bowlers and preventing them from settling into a rhythm. They also capitalized on any loose deliveries, dispatching them to the boundary with ease. The final overs saw a late surge from the Sri Lankan batsmen, adding valuable runs to the total and setting a challenging target for India to chase. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Sri Lanka managed to maintain a healthy run rate throughout their innings, thanks to the experience and composure of their senior players.
- Openers: Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan started cautiously, but India's bowlers kept them in check.
- Key Partnership: Mahela Jayawardene's magnificent century anchored the innings.
- Late Overs: A quickfire contribution from Nuwan Kulasekara helped boost the score towards the end.
Sri Lanka Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | How Out | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upul Tharanga | lbw b Zaheer | 2 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | b Harbhajan | 33 | 49 | 3 | 0 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | c Dhoni b Yuvraj | 48 | 67 | 5 | 0 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | b Zaheer | 103 | 88 | 13 | 0 |
| Thilan Samaraweera | run out | 21 | 17 | 2 | 0 |
| Nuwan Kulasekara | c Dhoni b Zaheer | 32 | 30 | 1 | 1 |
| Thisara Perera | Not Out | 22 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Extras | 16 | ||||
| Total | 274 |
Sri Lanka Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | 9 | 1 | 42 | 1 |
| Angelo Mathews | 6 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
| Nuwan Kulasekara | 8.2 | 0 | 64 | 0 |
| Suraj Randiv | 9 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | 5 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| Thisara Perera | 3 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
India Innings
India's chase was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Losing early wickets put them under immense pressure, but the middle order stepped up to the challenge. Gautam Gambhir played a crucial innings, anchoring the chase with a well-compiled knock. His partnership with MS Dhoni was instrumental in turning the tide in India's favor. Dhoni, known for his cool temperament under pressure, guided the team home with a captain's innings, finishing the match in style with a six that will forever be etched in cricketing history.
The Indian chase was a testament to their batting depth and resilience. Even after losing key wickets, they never lost hope and continued to fight until the very end. The batsmen rotated the strike effectively, keeping the scoreboard ticking and preventing the Sri Lankan bowlers from gaining the upper hand. They also played with a positive intent, looking for scoring opportunities and putting pressure on the opposition. The final overs were a nail-biting affair, with the tension reaching fever pitch. But Dhoni kept his cool, guiding India to a memorable victory and sending the nation into a frenzy of celebrations.
- Early Setbacks: India lost both openers, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, early in the innings.
- Gambhir's Knock: Gautam Gambhir's solid innings provided stability.
- Dhoni's Heroics: MS Dhoni's unbeaten innings, including the winning six, sealed the victory.
India Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | How Out | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virender Sehwag | lbw b Malinga | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | c Sangakkara b Malinga | 18 | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| Gautam Gambhir | b Perera | 97 | 122 | 9 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | c & b Dilshan | 35 | 49 | 4 | 0 |
| MS Dhoni | Not Out | 91 | 79 | 8 | 2 |
| Yuvraj Singh | Not Out | 21 | 24 | 2 | 0 |
| Extras | 15 | ||||
| Total | 277 |
India Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaheer Khan | 10 | 3 | 60 | 2 |
| Sreesanth | 8 | 0 | 52 | 0 |
| Harbhajan Singh | 10 | 0 | 50 | 1 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| Munaf Patel | 9 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Key Moments of the Match
- Zaheer Khan's Early Spell: Zaheer Khan's tight bowling upfront put pressure on Sri Lanka.
- Jayawardene's Century: Mahela Jayawardene's brilliant century helped Sri Lanka set a competitive total.
- Gambhir-Dhoni Partnership: Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni's partnership steadied India's chase after early wickets.
- Dhoni's Winning Six: MS Dhoni's iconic six to win the match will forever be etched in cricket history.
Man of the Match
MS Dhoni was named the Man of the Match for his brilliant unbeaten innings of 91, which guided India to victory. His captaincy and composure under pressure were also highly commendable.
Conclusion
The 2011 World Cup Final was a match that will be remembered for generations to come. It was a game filled with drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments. India's victory was a testament to their talent, hard work, and determination. The scorecard tells the story of a closely fought contest, but it doesn't fully capture the emotions and passion that surrounded this historic match. For Indian cricket fans, April 2, 2011, will forever be a day to cherish.
