A Tournament for the Ages
A Subcontinent's Roar
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was a story of destiny fulfilled. Co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, it saw India lift the trophy on home soil for the first time in history, ending a 28-year wait and providing a fairytale ending for the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Tournament Leaders
Most Runs
Most Wickets
The Group Stage
The initial phase was a tale of two groups: Pakistan's surprising dominance in Group A and the sheer unpredictability of Group B, which produced some of the tournament's most memorable matches.
| Pos | Team | W | L | Pts |
|---|
Spotlight: The Bengaluru Tie
India (338) tied with England (338/8). A high-scoring thriller defined by centuries from Sachin Tendulkar (120) and Andrew Strauss (158), this match proved that on subcontinent pitches, no total was safe.
Spotlight: The Bangalore Upset
Ireland (329/7) beat England (327/8). In one of the greatest World Cup upsets, Kevin O'Brien smashed the fastest century in the tournament's history (50 balls) to lead Ireland to a historic victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Knockouts
The pressure intensified as dynasties fell and giants clashed. This section maps the thrilling path from the quarter-finals to the final showdown.
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
India Ends Australia's Reign
In a pivotal quarter-final, India defeated the three-time defending champions Australia. Yuvraj Singh's all-round performance (57* & 2 wickets) was instrumental in chasing down 261, shattering Australia's 12-year dominance and signaling a power shift in world cricket.
The Mother of All Battles
The India vs. Pakistan semi-final in Mohali was a global event. India's total of 260, anchored by Sachin Tendulkar's 85, proved enough as a disciplined bowling effort saw them win by 29 runs, maintaining their unbeaten World Cup record against their arch-rivals.
The Final: A Nation's Destiny
On April 2, 2011, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, two Asian powerhouses clashed for the ultimate prize in world cricket.
Sri Lanka Innings: 274/6
After a shaky start, Sri Lanka posted a formidable total thanks to a sublime century from Mahela Jayawardene (103*). His masterclass, supported by Kumar Sangakkara (48), set a challenging target for India in the high-pressure final.
India's Chase: 277/4
India's chase began disastrously, losing Sehwag and Tendulkar early. But a heroic 97 from Gautam Gambhir and a captain's knock of 91* from MS Dhoni guided the nation to a historic victory, sealed with Dhoni's iconic six.
The Masterstroke
With India at a precarious 114/3, captain MS Dhoni promoted himself up the order ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh. This tactical genius neutralized Sri Lanka's key spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, and changed the course of the final. It remains one of the most celebrated decisions in cricket history.
Legacy and Records
The 2011 World Cup was not just about one final; it was a tournament that set records, defined careers, and left an indelible mark on the sport.
Player of the Tournament: Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh's all-round brilliance was the cornerstone of India's victory. He scored 362 runs and took 15 wickets, earning four Man of the Match awards. His performance was later revealed to be even more heroic, as he battled cancer throughout the tournament, making his triumph a testament to incredible courage.
Run Breakdown (1 Century, 4 Fifties)
Records Broken
- 🏆First Host Nation to Win: India on home soil.
- ⚡Fastest WC Century: Kevin O'Brien (50 balls).
- 🎯Highest Chase in a Final: India's 275.