First time after 'that night'

As India prepare to lock horns with Sri Lanka at Wankhede on Thursday, mid-day recalls their famous World Cup final at the same venue 12 years ago when Dhoni & Co became champions

When Rohit Sharma and Kusal Mendis walk out for the toss on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium, it will be 12 years and seven months to the day since Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara had done likewise at the same venue, at the 2011 World Cup final. Interestingly, that is the last time India and Sri Lanka met at Wankhede in ODIs. 

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That toss had to be gone through twice, confusion surrounding the outcome after the Indian captain had spun the coin the first time. Sangakkara won the re-toss, but it was India who won what mattered the most—the title.  That remains India’s last World Cup crown; in the intervening period, they have lifted just one global title, the Champions Trophy in England in 2013. 

Their run at this World Cup, six successive wins, has reignited hopes that the long drought will end on November 19 though, typically, with Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid in the saddle, India aren’t getting ahead of themselves.

Only Ashwin, Kohli remain

India’s optional practice session on Tuesday afternoon wasn’t heavily populated. Among the half-dozen players at the ground was R Ashwin, the off-spinner surplus to requirement since the tournament opener against Australia. Ashwin is one of only two players—apart from Virat Kohli—to have tasted 50-over World Cup triumph previously; from the Sri Lankan camp, the lone survivor from that title clash is Mahela Jayawardene, the former skipper, now travelling as the consultant coach.

Jayawardene was the one who ensured the 2011 final didn’t fizzle out into a damp squib with a spectacular unbeaten century. From 182 for five after 40 overs, the classy right-hander hauled Sri Lanka to 274 for six with a stunning assault primarily on Zaheer Khan. In a magnificent opening spell of 5-3-6-1, the left-arm quick had rocked the Lankans but ended up going for 54 in his last five, Jayawardene helped along by Nuwan Kulasekara (32 off 30) and Thisara Perera (22 not out off 9). When Jayawardene walked off at the break to a huge ovation, he had breezed to 103 off 88 deliveries. As it turned out, it was the first—and to date, only—century in a losing cause in a World Cup final.

Also Read: Virat Kohli, the most complete batsman in modern era

Key roles by Gambhir, MSD

The result apart, Kohli (35) will have pleasant memories of his innings-stabilising stand of 83 with Gautam Gambhir (97) after Lasith Malinga had packed off Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar cheaply. Kohli fell to a brilliant caught-and-bowled by Tillakaratne Dilshan but Gambhir and, more tellingly, Dhoni (91 not out) with his first meaningful knock of the competition, powered India to a famous win on an emotional night that culminated with Kohli carrying Tendulkar on his shoulders during the victory lap.

“Sachin Tendulkar has carried Indian cricket on his shoulders for 21 years. So, it was fitting that we carried him on our shoulders after this win,” Kohli had famously said then. 

Will someone be carrying Kohli on their shoulders on November 19 in Ahmedabad?

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