2011 World Cup Final: Wankhede’s Night of Glory Manisha, April 11, 2025July 3, 2025 The 2011 Cricket World Cup final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, was one of the most exciting nights in cricket history! It was the night when India, led by MS Dhoni, won the World Cup after 28 years, and the Wankhede Stadium was filled with cheering fans. If you’re a kid who loves cricket, this guide will tell you all about this amazing match in a way that’s super easy for a 10-year-old to understand. We’ll explain what happened, why it was so special, and how Wankhede became a legendary place. Let’s dive into this epic night of glory! What Was the 2011 World Cup Final? The 2011 Cricket World Cup was a huge tournament where the best cricket teams from around the world played One Day Internationals (ODIs). The final match happened on April 2, 2011, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, between India and Sri Lanka. India hadn’t won a World Cup since 1983, so everyone was super excited. Wankhede, a famous stadium that holds 33,000 fans, was the perfect place for this big game. That night, India won, thanks to a famous six by MS Dhoni, and Wankhede became a place of cricket magic! The Setting: Wankhede Stadium Wankhede Stadium is a big cricket ground in Mumbai, right by the Arabian Sea. Built in 1974, it’s home to the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and hosts big matches like Test games and T20s. In 2011, it was chosen to host the World Cup final because it’s modern, with bright floodlights, big screens, and a pitch that helps batters hit big shots. The 33,000 fans packed the stands, waving Indian flags and cheering so loud it felt like the stadium was shaking! Fun Fact: Wankhede is near Mumbai’s famous Marine Drive, and its sea breeze makes it a cool place to watch cricket! For Kids: Imagine a giant playground by the beach, filled with thousands of people cheering like it’s a huge party! The Road to the Final India, led by captain MS Dhoni, had a great tournament. They beat strong teams like Australia in the quarter-final and Pakistan in the semi-final at Mohali, which was a super exciting match. Sri Lanka, led by Kumar Sangakkara, was also strong, with stars like Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga. Both teams were ready for a big fight in the final at Wankhede. For Kids: Picture two superhero teams, India and Sri Lanka, battling to see who’s the best in the world! How the Match Went: A Thrilling Battle The 2011 World Cup final was like an action movie, full of twists and turns. Here’s what happened, day by day (well, it was one day, but it felt like a long adventure!). Sri Lanka Bats First Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat. They started slowly, losing early wickets to India’s bowlers, like Zaheer Khan, who bowled super accurately. But Mahela Jayawardene played an amazing innings, scoring 103 not out off 88 balls, with elegant shots like cover drives. Sri Lanka finished with 274 for 6 in 50 overs, a tough score for India to chase. The Wankhede crowd was nervous but kept cheering for India. Fun Fact: Zaheer Khan bowled three maiden overs (no runs) in a row at the start, like a superhero stopping the other team! For Kids: Imagine Sri Lanka piling up a big score, like building a tall tower that India had to climb! India’s Chase: A Rocky Start India needed 275 runs to win, and the Wankhede crowd was hoping for a miracle. But things started badly. Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka’s fast bowler with a slinging action, struck early. He got Virender Sehwag out for a duck (0 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar, India’s biggest star, for just 18 runs. The crowd went quiet as India was 31 for 2, and it looked like the dream was slipping away. For Kids: Picture your team losing two superheroes early—it felt like India was in big trouble! Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli Fight Back Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli came to the rescue. Gambhir played carefully, hitting boundaries to keep India in the game. Kohli, a young star, scored 35 runs before getting out. Their partnership of 83 runs gave India hope. By the halfway point, India was 114 for 3, needing more runs but starting to believe they could do it. Fun Fact: Gambhir was born in Delhi but played like a Mumbai hero that night at Wankhede! For Kids: Imagine two friends teaming up to fight back, like fixing a broken toy together! MS Dhoni’s Heroic Innings Then came the moment that changed everything. MS Dhoni, India’s captain, decided to bat higher up the order, ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh. This was a big surprise! Dhoni played calmly, hitting boundaries and running fast between the wickets. He and Gambhir added 109 runs, with Gambhir scoring 97 before getting out. The Wankhede crowd was back to life, chanting “Dhoni, Dhoni!” For Kids: Picture Dhoni as a superhero captain, stepping up to save the day with his bat! The Famous Six: Wankhede’s Night of Glory With India needing just 4 runs to win in the 49th over, Dhoni faced Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Kulasekara. The crowd was on its feet, and the tension was huge. Dhoni hit a massive six over long-on, sending the ball flying into the stands! India won by 6 wickets, scoring 277 for 4 in 48.2 overs. The Wankhede crowd erupted, and commentator Ravi Shastri shouted, “Dhoni finishes it off in style!” Fireworks lit up the Mumbai sky, and India won their first World Cup since 1983. Fun Fact: Dhoni’s six is one of the most famous shots in cricket history, replayed on TV all the time! For Kids: Imagine hitting a home run to win a huge game—that’s what Dhoni’s six was like! Why Was This Night So Special? The 2011 World Cup final at Wankhede was a night of glory for many reasons: Ending a Long Wait: India hadn’t won a World Cup since 1983, so this was a huge moment for fans. Dhoni’s Brave Move: By batting higher up, Dhoni showed courage and led by example, scoring 91 not out. Wankhede’s Magic: The 33,000 fans made so much noise that players felt their energy, helping India win. Sachin’s Dream: Sachin Tendulkar, India’s biggest star, finally won a World Cup in his sixth try, and Mumbai, his home city, celebrated with him. For Kids: It’s like your favorite team winning a championship after years, with everyone cheering like it’s a festival! The Heroes of the Night Several players made the 2011 final unforgettable: MS Dhoni: Scored 91 not out, including the winning six, and was named Player of the Match. Gautam Gambhir: Scored 97, keeping India in the chase when things looked tough. Zaheer Khan: Took 2 wickets and bowled tightly to slow Sri Lanka’s scoring. Yuvraj Singh: Scored 21 not out and supported Dhoni, plus he was Player of the Tournament for his all-round play. Fun Fact: Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes in an over in the 2007 T20 World Cup, and he was a hero again in 2011! For Kids: Think of these players as superheroes, each doing something amazing to win the game! Wankhede’s Role in the Glory Wankhede Stadium was the perfect place for this victory: Batter-Friendly Pitch: The pitch helped India’s batters like Dhoni hit big shots, making the chase possible. Loud Fans: The 33,000 Mumbai fans cheered every run, giving India extra energy. Modern Features: Floodlights and big screens made the night game look like a glowing party, with replays of Dhoni’s six exciting everyone. Mumbai’s Love for Cricket: Mumbai is Sachin Tendulkar’s home, and fans wanted to win for him. Fun Fact: Wankhede was renovated before 2011, with new seats and lights, making it ready for the World Cup! For Kids: Picture a stadium by the sea, glowing at night with fans cheering like it’s a big school event! How the Win Changed Indian Cricket The 2011 World Cup win at Wankhede shaped cricket’s future in India: Inspired Kids: Young players like Virat Kohli (who played in 2011) and Shubman Gill were inspired to dream big. Boosted the IPL: The win made the IPL even more popular, as fans wanted to see stars like Dhoni at Wankhede. Made Wankhede Legendary: The stadium became famous worldwide, hosting more big matches like IPL finals. Grew Cricket’s Love: Fans across India celebrated, making cricket even bigger. Fun Fact: The movie 83 about the 1983 World Cup was inspired by the 2011 win’s excitement! For Kids: Imagine this win making every kid in India want to play cricket and hit sixes like Dhoni! How Kids Can Enjoy the 2011 Wankhede Glory Watch Highlights: Check YouTube or Disney+ Hotstar for clips of Dhoni’s six or Gambhir’s 97. Search “2011 World Cup final highlights.” Play Fantasy Cricket: Join free leagues on Dream11 and pick players like Dhoni, imagining them at Wankhede. Learn Chants: Practice “India, India!” or “MI, MI!” to feel like a Wankhede fan. Visit Wankhede: Ask a parent to take you to an IPL match in Mumbai—it’s where this glory happened! Read More: Check ESPN Cricinfo or Cricbuzz for stories about the 2011 final. Why Wankhede Was Perfect for This Night Wankhede’s features made the 2011 final epic: Pitch: Helped batters like Dhoni score runs, perfect for a thrilling chase. Crowd: Mumbai fans cheered so loud it felt like they were playing with the team. Location: Near the sea, Wankhede’s vibe and fireworks after the win made it magical. History: Wankhede hosted other big moments, like Sachin’s 100th century in 2012, making it a lucky ground. For Kids: Think of Wankhede as a superhero stadium where big wins happen! The Legacy of Wankhede’s Night of Glory The 2011 World Cup final made Wankhede a legendary place: Dhoni’s Six: It’s replayed everywhere, inspiring kids to play cricket. India’s Pride: The win united fans, making cricket even more loved. Wankhede’s Fame: The stadium is now a top choice for big matches, like IPL finals and maybe the 2026 T20 World Cup. Sachin’s Farewell: In 2013, Sachin Tendulkar played his last Test at Wankhede, adding to its glory. Conclusion The 2011 World Cup final at Wankhede Stadium was a night of glory that India will never forget. On April 2, 2011, MS Dhoni’s massive six sealed a 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka, ending a 28-year wait for the World Cup. Gautam Gambhir’s 97, Virat Kohli’s support, and Zaheer Khan’s bowling made it a team effort, while Wankhede’s 33,000 fans cheered like never before. The batter-friendly pitch, bright floodlights, and Mumbai’s cricket love made it the perfect stage. This win inspired kids, boosted the IPL, and made Wankhede a cricket legend. Whether you’re watching highlights, playing fantasy cricket, or visiting Wankhede, the 2011 final will make you love cricket more. So, cheer loud, dream of hitting sixes like Dhoni, and celebrate Wankhede’s night of glory! Historical Stadium Moments