Heroes of the final

It was 2nd April 2011 , India’s chance to win the worldcup after 28 years infront of its home crowd and win it for its greatest ever player Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Srilanka had set the target of 274 ,which needed a special effort to chase it down under pressure. That day two Indians played two great innings one was the rescuing innings of Gambhir and other was the calculated innings under pressure from the captain MS Dhoni. But which was better?

Gambhir came into bat when Indians were in all sorts of trouble losing Sehwag in the first over and Sachin right after him. He stabilized the innings with then youngster ,now India’s captain Virat Kohli. I think that was one of the most fearless innings under pressure that I have ever seen , inspite of it being the final Gambhir played his natural game under intense pressure .As soon as Virat got out, there could have been sense of panic which we can happen to teams under the pressure of a final but then Dhoni promoted himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh ,who was undoubtedly the man of the tournament for India. He played so well and made sure India doesn’t panic in the final. Even after Gambhir’s wicket fell , Dhoni made sure he finished the game. But because Dhoni got man of the match and he hit that iconic six over Kulasekara’s head , can we not give Gambhir’s innings same value as we give to Dhoni’s innings?

I myself being Dhoni fan thought Dhoni’s innings was the best , but after India’s trouble began in ICC knockouts I realised that Gambhir’s innings was equally important. At 2019 WC semifinal against New Zealand when India lost quick wickets india lacked that Gambhir’s fearless attitude under pressure though it had finishing touch we lacked the start which Gambhir gave us at the Wankhede and when India women in 2017 Women’s World Cup lost the close final against England we lacked Dhoni’s calm and sensible finishing touch, where we could have avoided losing cluster of wickets under pressure.

In conclusion, 2011 worldcup final wouldn’t have been won if it wasnt for one of those two great efforts , it wasn’t Dhoni’s or Gambhir’s , it was India’s win.