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MS Dhoni said ‘I’ll take risk if needed, you don’t rush, get your century': Gautam Gambhir recalls 2011 World Cup final
Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir came up with never-heard-before story regarding the 2011 ODI World Cup final, revealing how then team skipper MS Dhoni had encouraged him to score a century in the final.
Stories of Team India's glorious 2011 World Cup win at home after beating Sri Lanka in the final have been told and re-told innumerable times. Yet, over the 12 years since that memorable day, fans have often been served with a ‘never-heard-before’ story. On Tuesday, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir came up with such, revealing how then Team India skipper MS Dhoni had encouraged him to score a century in the final.
After Sri Lanka set a 275-run target with Mahela Jayawardene scoring a century, India lost opener Virender Sehwag in the very second ball of the chase. Lasith Malinga struck a few overs later again to dismiss the dangerous Sachin Tendulkar for just 18.
Gambhir then managed to stem the flow of wickets as he found able assistance from young Virat Kohli. The pair forged an 83-run stand for the third wicket before Kohli departed thanks to a brilliant caught and bowled Tilakaratne Dilshan. Gambhir then stitched another partnership, this time a game-changing one, along with Dhoni, of 109 runs.
En route, Gambhir scored 97 runs and stood three runs short of being the first Indian batter to score a hundred in an ODI World Cup final and the eighth overall. He was claen bowled while trying to giving the harge to medium pacer Thisara Perera. Speaking to Star Sports during the 1st ODI match between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati, Gambhir revealed how supportive Dhoni in his knock, encouraging him to notch up the record feat.
“MS Dhoni was very supportive because he wanted me to get a 100. He always wanted me to get a hundred. He told me between overs as well that 'get your hundred, take your time and don't rush into it. I can accelerate if there is any need to',” he said.
Gambhir was eventually dismissed for 97 runs and Yuvraj Singh later gave the finishing touches before Dhoni scored the winning six over long-on fence in his unbeaten 91 as India won by six wickets to win their second ODI World Cup trophy.
