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Sachin Tendulkar has shared why he told Gary Kirsten to send MS Dhoni before Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 World Cup final.
Sachin Tendulkar has explained why he suggested sending Dhoni ahead of Yuvraj in the WC final (Picture credit: AP)
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has revealed his two reasons why he suggested head coach Gary Kirsten send former India captain MS Dhoni ahead of Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, which turned out to be a masterstroke.
Tendulkar shared his insight during an ‘Ask Me Anything’ (AMA) session on Reddit where a user asked why he suggested Kirsten to send Dhoni up the order.
During the chase of 275 at the Wankhede Stadium, India was 114/3 after ace batter Virat Kohli’s dismissal for 35 when Dhoni came in at number five, ahead of Yuvraj.
“There were 2 reasons. The left-right batting combination would have upset the two off-spinners; also, Muralitharan had played for CSK (from 2008-2010) and MS had played with him for 3 seasons in the nets,” Tendulkar replied.
Dhoni formed a 109-run stand with India head coach Gautam Gambhir and remained unbeaten on 91 off 79 deliveries, including eight boundaries and two sixes, guiding India to a six-wicket win against Sri Lanka.
Tendulkar revealed that having a left-right hand combination would have upset the two key off-spinners, Muralitharan and Suraj Randiv.
Tendulkar’s tactical brilliance and years of experience paid off as India lifted the World Cup after 28 years and he, playing his final 50-over World Cup, lived his dream of lifting the gold in his sixth attempt.
What happened in the 2011 World Cup Final?
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 274/6, riding on a century from Mahela Jayawardene. In the chase, India lost Virender Sehwag on the second ball of the innings before Tendulkar and Gambhir added 31 runs for the second wicket.
After the batting legend was dismissed by Lasith Malinga, Gambhir and Kohli added 83 runs for the third wicket before the latter lost his wicket to Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Then came the match-winning 109-run partnership between Gambhir and Dhoni for the fourth wicket, before the former was dismissed by Thisara Perera.
Dhoni and Yuvraj then added 54 runs for the fifth wicket to take India over the line and to glory.
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