India recreated history on April 2, 2011, a momentous night in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, winning the Cricket World Cup after an exhausting 28-year wait. The squad's success was reminiscent of their 1983 triumph, when they defeated the then-dominant West Indies cricket team to win the World Cup for the first time.
Nationwide, there were never-before-seen celebrations following the victory. The country burst into a communal shout reminiscent of the events of 1983. This win was very important because it signaled the entrance of a new generation of cricket heroes who had been carrying the weight of expectation for a long time.
#OnThisDay in 2011, India won the ICC Cricket World Cup for the second time - after a gap of 28 years!
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) April 2, 2018
Can an Indian fan forget this! 🎥 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PU2RZvY6Uu
The final of the 2011 World Cup vs Sri Lanka was an exciting match. With a goal of 275 to chase, India's batting lineup batted with impressive control. After Gautam Gambhir established a strong platform, Yuvraj Singh's aggressive 97-run knock, which featured four sixes and nine fours, swung the balance in favour of India. India's convincing victory by six wickets was secured by captain MS Dhoni's composed demeanor in the face of pressure and a six off the very last ball.
#OnThisDay in 2011, India won the Cricket World Cup! WATCH @msdhoni smash the winning six: https://t.co/EjlRqNXMfZ pic.twitter.com/4A5Zq7gMRN
— ICC (@ICC) April 2, 2016
Similar to how they did in 1983, India did not start as one of the clear favorites for the 2011 World Cup. Thus, the victory had a unique attractiveness, demonstrating that skill and passion can sometimes triumph over reputations.
Both wins were the result of outstanding teamwork. The critical factor in 1983 was Kapil Dev's inspired leadership and well-balanced bowling assault. Together with the skill of players like Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan, Dhoni's astute leadership carried India to victory in 2011.
For Indian cricket, the 2011 World Cup victory marked the start of a new era. With India established itself as a force to be reckoned with on the global arena, it signaled the start of an era of supremacy. In the years that followed, the team continued to win more awards, reaffirming its status as a dominant force in cricket.
Every Indian cricket enthusiast will always remember the evening of April 2, 2011. That evening was reminiscent of the heroics of 1983, demonstrating that history can be replicated if one has extraordinary skill and unshakable desire.