Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to India’s 2011 ODI World Cup victory. On 2 April, the Master Blaster took to social media and recreated his cricketing stance from the final.
“The first ball always makes your heart race… and that night, it never stopped. 15 years later, it still stays with us. We all grew up as a bunch of young cricketers, united by one dream. To win the World Cup for India,” Tendulkar wrote.
“To everyone who was a part of the journey, and to all the fans…thank you for sharing it with us and making it so special. Jai Hind!” he added.
Social media was overwhelmed with emotion as users remembered that special night for Indian cricket. Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the Men in Blue won the World Cup 28 years after their first win in 1983.
“15 years later, the goosebumps are still the same…because some nights aren’t remembered, they are felt forever. We didn’t just watch a World Cup win… we lived every second of it together as a nation. From streets to stadiums, from homes to hearts....That victory belonged to all of us,” wrote one of them.
“You carried the dreams of a billion people for 24 years. God of Cricket. Forever,” wrote another.
“Never seen nation united that much on the streets… best day ever,” posted another user.
Another user wrote, “15 years later, the memories of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup still give goosebumps. A dream that united a nation and inspired an entire generation. Proud forever.”
One of the unique reactions came from across the border. A cricket fan from Pakistan wrote, “Sachin paaji, what a magical night in 2011! Even across the border, that final gave us all goosebumps. True legend of the game.”
On this day: World Cup 2011 final
The World Cup 2011 final was played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sri Lanka, who won the toss and batted first, posted 274/6 in 50 overs. Mahela Jayawardene anchored their innings with an unbeaten 103 off 88 balls.
India's chase wobbled early with the dismissals of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. Gautam Gambhir steadied the ship with a crucial 97. Then, MS Dhoni, who had promoted himself up the order, took charge.
Dhoni finished on an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls, sealing the victory with an iconic six. India reached 277/4 in 48.2 overs, winning by 6 wickets.
Dhoni won the Player of the Match award. Yuvraj Singh, who scored 362 runs and took 15 wickets across the tournament, was named Player of the Tournament.
India became the first host nation to win the World Cup on home soil. It was also the first World Cup final contested between two Asian sides.
For Sachin Tendulkar, playing in his 6th and final World Cup, it was the one title that had always eluded him. Then, he grabbed the trophy that night in Mumbai.