World Cup 2011 Final Scorecard
The 2011 Cricket World Cup final was a historic clash held at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on April 2, 2011, between India and Sri Lanka. India emerged victorious, chasing down a target of 275, winning by 6 wickets to secure their second World Cup title after 1983. This victory marked India as the first nation to win a World Cup at home and the third team to lift the trophy more than once, after Australia and the West Indies.
Sri Lanka qualified for the knockouts from Group A with a second-place finish, winning 4 out of 6 matches. They defeated England by 10 wickets in the quarter-finals and then overcame New Zealand in the semi-finals to reach their second consecutive final after 2007.
IndiaIndia finished second in Group B, winning 4 matches, losing to South Africa, and tying with England. In the knockout stages, India defeated Australia in a thrilling quarter-final and Pakistan in a high-pressure semi-final, both of which were historic matches in their own right.
Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision influenced by the dew factor expected in Mumbai evening conditions.
Sri Lankan InningsBatsmanRunsBalls4s6sStatusUpul Tharanga22000c Sehwag b Zaheer KhanTillakaratne Dilshan334930b Harbhajan SinghKumar Sangakkara486750c †Dhoni b Yuvraj SinghMahela Jayawardene103*88130Not OutThilan Samaraweera213420lbw b Yuvraj SinghChamara Kapugedera1500c Raina b Zaheer KhanNuwan Kulasekara323011Run Out (†Dhoni)Thisara Perera22931Not Out
Extras: 12 (b 1, lb 3, w 6, nb 2)
Total: 274/6 in 50 overs
Key Bowling Performance (India):- Zaheer Khan: 10–3–60–2
- Yuvraj Singh: 10–0–49–2
- Harbhajan Singh: 10–0–50–1
Jayawardene’s 103 off 88 balls* was the highlight, supported by late hitting from Kulasekara and Perera, taking Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 274/6.
BatsmanRunsBalls4s6sStatusVirender Sehwag0200lbw b MalingaSachin Tendulkar181420c Sangakkara b MalingaGautam Gambhir9712290b Thisara PereraVirat Kohli354940c & b DilshanMS Dhoni91*7982Not OutYuvraj Singh21*2420Not Out
Extras: 15 (b 1, lb 6, w 8)
Total: 277/4 in 48.2 overs
Key Bowling Performance (Sri Lanka):
- Lasith Malinga: 9–0–42–2
- Thisara Perera: 9–0–55–1
- Tillakaratne Dilshan: 5–0–27–1
The match-defining 109-run partnership between Gambhir (97) and Dhoni (91)* set the stage for India’s triumph. Dhoni finished with a famous six to seal the victory, ending India’s 28-year World Cup drought.
- Highest Individual Score: Mahela Jayawardene 103*
- Largest Partnership: Gambhir & Dhoni 109 runs
- Man of the Match: MS Dhoni (India)
- Player of the Tournament: Yuvraj Singh (India)
India became the first team to win a World Cup final in their own country, and the match had an estimated 135 million viewers in India. It was also the first ODI World Cup final featuring two Asian teams.
- MS Dhoni lifted the World Cup, leading celebrations across India.
- Yuvraj Singh received Player of the Tournament for his all-round performance.
- Indian players were awarded cash prizes and gifts by the BCCI and state governments.
- The team dedicated the win to Sachin Tendulkar, carrying him on their shoulders around Wankhede Stadium.
- India’s second World Cup title after 1983.
- MS Dhoni’s captaincy and promotion in the batting order are considered masterstrokes in cricket history.
- Legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan played his last ODI.
The 2011 World Cup final is remembered as one of the most thrilling finals in cricket history. India’s calm yet aggressive chase under pressure, Dhoni’s fearless captaincy, and the support of stalwarts like Gambhir and Yuvraj made this a historic victory. This match not only brought cricketing glory to India but also left an indelible mark on fans around the world.