This Day in 2011, MS Dhoni & Co won India its second cricket World Cup

Seven years ago on April 2, India had an evening to remember in Mumbai when, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, the country won the ICC World Cup beating Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede Stadium.

Photo: Reuters

New Delhi: Seven years ago on April 2, India had an evening to remember in Mumbai when, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, the country won the ICC World Cup beating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final at the Wankhede Stadium. 

Dhoni's six to spark wild celebrations inside the stadium and out on the streets across India seem fresh more than half a decade later. 

It was only the second time, 28 years after Kapil's Devils of 1983, that India lifted the most prestigious one-day international (ODI) trophy. 

India's momentous win, chasing Sri Lanka's 274/6 powered by Mahela Jayawardene's century, changed a couple of facts.

Before that day, a home team had never won the World Cup and a centurion had never ended up on the losing side. India, the hosts, won and Jayawardene's 103 not out went in vain.

#OnThisDay in 2011, India won the ICC Cricket World Cup with a massive @msdhoni six!

Who could forget this moment! pic.twitter.com/Xy3xCogRIs

— ICC (@ICC) April 2, 2018

India's chase didn't start on a promising note as Lasith Malinga removed Virender Sehwag (0) and Sachin Tendulkar (18) to reduce the hosts to 31/2. But Gautam Gambhir came to the fore with a well-paced 97 and added crucial 83 runs with Virat Kohli (35) to steady the ship. 

Dhoni (91 not out off 79 balls) then promoted himself up the order ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh (21 not out) to play a captain's knock that remains etched in the memory of cricket fans. 

Yuvraj, the Man of the Tournament, was deservingly in the middle with Dhoni when the Indian captain hit that memorable six to bring the curtains down on Muttiah Muralitharan's career and helping Sachin Tendulkar realise the dream he had been chasing ever since stepping onto the field for India.