Sachin Tendulkar Remembers India's 2011 World Cup Triumph

On the 15th anniversary of India's 2011 World Cup victory, Sachin Tendulkar fondly recalls the unforgettable night. He expresses gratitude to teammates and fans, highlighting the shared dream of winning the World Cup. Tendulkar's stellar performance and the thrilling final match against Sri Lanka are also revisited, showcasing the excitement that still resonates today. Discover more about this historic moment in cricket history.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 2, 2026, 12:14 IST

A Memorable Victory

Iconic Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar reminisced about the exhilarating 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup win, noting that the thrill from the very first ball remained alive throughout that remarkable night.

April 2, 2011: A Historic Day

On April 2, 2011, India triumphed over a formidable Sri Lankan team, thanks to outstanding performances from Zaheer Khan, Gautam Gambhir, and captain MS Dhoni, in front of a jubilant crowd at Wankhede Stadium. This victory marked India's return to World Cup glory, 28 years after their initial win in 1983 under Kapil Dev's leadership.

Reflecting on a Shared Dream

Fifteen years later, Tendulkar reflected on how the team, having grown up together, shared a collective aspiration to win the World Cup for India. He expressed deep appreciation for his teammates and fans for being integral to this journey, stating, "The first ball always makes your heart race, and that night, it never stopped. 15 years later, it still stays with us. We all grew up as a bunch of young cricketers, united by one dream. To win the World Cup for India. To everyone who was a part of the journey, and to all the fans... thank you for sharing it with us and making it so special. Jai Hind," in an Instagram post.

Tendulkar's Performance in the World Cup

In his final World Cup, Tendulkar emerged as India's top scorer and the second-highest overall, amassing 482 runs across nine matches with an impressive average of 53.55, including two centuries and two fifties. His highest score was 120.

Recap of the Final Match

In the final match, Sri Lanka chose to bat first, scoring 274 runs for the loss of six wickets, bolstered by Mahela Jayawardene's unbeaten century (113) and contributions from Kumar Sangakkara (48), Tillakaratne Dilshan (48), and Thisara Perera (22*). For India, Zaheer Khan (2/60) and Yuvraj Singh (2/49) were the standout bowlers. During India's chase, they faced early setbacks with the dismissals of openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. However, solid innings from Gautam Gambhir (97), Virat Kohli (35), MS Dhoni (91*), and Yuvraj Singh (21*) led India to a six-wicket victory.