Entering the 2011 tournament, India stood as clear favorites, especially with the competition held in the sub-continent. Led by the astute MS Dhoni, India showcased dominance, losing just one match in the tournament against South Africa.
The semi-final clash against arch-rivals Pakistan set the stage for a thrilling final showdown with Sri Lanka. Winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first, with Mahela Jayawardene‘s century driving them to a competitive 274/6.
India’s pursuit got off to a shaky start with early losses, but Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni’s resilience forged a crucial 109-run partnership. Although Gambhir fell short of a century, Dhoni, alongside Yuvraj Singh, steered India to victory with six wickets in hand, Dhoni’s iconic winning six etching itself into Indian sporting lore.
The moment was made even more poignant as Sachin Tendulkar, witnessing his dream realized after years of dedication, erupted with joy, tears of fulfilment streaming down his face.
Tendulkar’s euphoric lap around the Wankhede Stadium post-victory, titled ‘Carried On the Shoulders Of A Nation,’ was later voted the greatest Laureus Sporting Moment of the past two decades, symbolizing the collective joy of a nation.