Introduction: The Night That Changed Indian Cricket Forever
April 2, 2011. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. A billion hearts beating as one.
The 2011 India final scorecard tells a story that every Indian cricket fan knows by heart. India chased down 275 against Sri Lanka to win their first World Cup in 28 years. But the numbers alone don’t capture the emotion—the early panic, the calm rebuild, and the iconic winning six.
This article breaks down the complete 2011 World Cup final scorecard in simple terms. You’ll see who scored what, how the wickets fell, and why this match remains the greatest night in Indian cricket history.
The Build-Up: Toss Drama and Team Changes
The final started with confusion. Match referee Jeff Crowe couldn’t hear Kumar Sangakkara’s call during the first toss because of crowd noise . The coin went up again, and this time Sri Lanka won and chose to bat.
Key team news:
- India brought in S Sreesanth for the injured Ashish Nehra .
- Sri Lanka made four changes, dropping Ajantha Mendis—a decision that backfired badly .
- Muttiah Muralitharan, playing his final international match, was not fully fit .
The stakes were massive. Sachin Tendulkar was playing his sixth World Cup, still chasing the one trophy missing from his legendary career .
Sri Lanka Innings: Jayawardene’s Masterclass and Zaheer’s Brilliance
Zaheer Khan Sets the Tone
Zaheer Khan produced one of the greatest opening spells in World Cup final history. He bowled three consecutive maidens and removed Upul Tharanga for just 2 runs, caught brilliantly by Virender Sehwag in the slips .
Sri Lanka’s early struggle:
- After 6 overs, Sri Lanka were 17/1.
- Zaheer finished with figures of 2/60 from 10 overs, including the crucial wicket of Chamara Kapugedera .
- Gautam Gambhir later said Zaheer should have been Man of the Match for this spell .
Mahela Jayawardene’s Unbeaten Century
While wickets fell around him, Mahela Jayawardene played the innings of his life. He scored 103 not out from just 88 balls, hitting 13 fours .
Why it mattered:
- He became the first player to score a century in a World Cup final and end up on the losing side .
- His partnership with Sangakkara (48) steadied the ship.
- Late hitting from Nuwan Kulasekara (32) and Thisara Perera (22 off 9 balls) pushed Sri Lanka to a competitive total.
Sri Lanka’s final score: 274/6 in 50 overs .
India’s Chase: From 31/2 to World Champions
The Nightmare Start: Sehwag and Tendulkar Fall Early
Lasith Malinga was breathing fire. On the second ball of the innings, he trapped Virender Sehwag LBW for a duck .
Then came the moment every Indian fan feared. Sachin Tendulkar, batting in his home city, edged Malinga to Sangakkara behind the stumps. He was out for 18 .
India were 31/2 in the 7th over. The dream was slipping away.
Gautam Gambhir: The Unsung Hero
Gautam Gambhir walked in when India needed someone to stay calm. He first built an 83-run partnership with Virat Kohli (35), then added 109 runs with MS Dhoni .
Gambhir’s crucial knock:
- He scored 97 runs from 122 balls, hitting 9 fours .
- He was dropped on 30 and survived a run-out chance on 49 .
- He fell just 3 runs short of a century, bowled by Thisara Perera while trying to finish with a boundary .
MS Dhoni’s Decision That Changed Everything
When Virat Kohli fell for 35, India were 114/3. The in-form Yuvraj Singh was expected to walk in. Instead, MS Dhoni promoted himself up the order .
Why Dhoni came early:
- He wanted a left-hand-right-hand combination against Muralitharan .
- Gary Kirsten revealed Dhoni simply said, “I want to go in next” .
- Dhoni had struggled all tournament, with a previous highest score of just 34 .
What happened next became the stuff of legend.
The Dhoni Masterclass: 91 Not Out That Sealed Immortality
MS Dhoni played the innings of his life when it mattered most. He scored 91 not out from 79 balls, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes .
How Dhoni built the chase:
- He started cautiously, respecting the bowlers.
- He targeted Muralitharan, cutting him through the off side for four .
- He battled a side strain but never lost focus .
- His partnership with Gambhir (109 runs) turned the match .
The Winning Moment
India needed 4 runs from 11 balls. Nuwan Kulasekara ran in. Dhoni cleared his front leg and launched the ball over long-on for six .
The stadium exploded. Dhoni stood still, bat raised. His teammates stormed the field. Sachin Tendulkar was carried on shoulders around his home ground .
India’s final score: 277/4 in 48.2 overs. India won by 6 wickets with 10 balls to spare .
Yuvraj Singh: The Silent Partner and Player of the Tournament
While Dhoni grabbed headlines, Yuvraj Singh played a crucial supporting role in the final. He remained 21 not out from 24 balls, finishing the chase alongside his captain .
But Yuvraj’s real impact came throughout the tournament:
- He scored 362 runs, including one century and four fifties .
- He took 15 wickets with his left-arm spin .
- He won 4 Man of the Match awards .
Yuvraj was named Player of the Tournament for his all-round brilliance .
Key Records and Statistics from the 2011 Final
| Category | Sri Lanka | India |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 274/6 (50 overs) | 277/4 (48.2 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Mahela Jayawardene (103*) | Gautam Gambhir (97) |
| Best Bowler | Lasith Malinga (2/42) | Zaheer Khan (2/60) |
| Captain’s Score | Kumar Sangakkara (48) | MS Dhoni (91*) |
| Key Partnership | Jayawardene-Sangakkara (62) | Gambhir-Dhoni (109) |
| Man of the Match | — | MS Dhoni |
| Player of Tournament | — | Yuvraj Singh |
Notable records broken:
- Highest successful chase in a World Cup final (India’s 277) .
- First host nation to win the World Cup .
- First century in a losing World Cup final cause (Jayawardene) .
- Muralitharan’s final match ended wicketless .
Comparison: India 1983 vs India 2011
| Aspect | 1983 World Cup | 2011 World Cup |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent | West Indies | Sri Lanka |
| Venue | Lord’s, London | Wankhede, Mumbai |
| Captain | Kapil Dev | MS Dhoni |
| Margin | 43 runs | 6 wickets |
| Defining Moment | Kapil’s catch to dismiss Viv Richards | Dhoni’s winning six |
| Significance | First World Cup for India | First World Cup at home |
Both victories transformed Indian cricket. But 2011 carried special weight—it was Tendulkar’s final World Cup, and India won on home soil .
Conclusion: Why the 2011 Final Scorecard Still Matters
The 2011 India final scorecard is more than numbers. It’s a reminder that cricket is a team sport where heroes emerge from unexpected places.
Gambhir played the anchor innings. Dhoni delivered the knockout punch. Zaheer set the foundation. Yuvraj provided the balance. And Tendulkar finally got the trophy he deserved.
The verdict: This was India’s most complete World Cup performance. They absorbed pressure, adapted to the situation, and finished with authority. The 2011 final wasn’t just a win—it was a coronation of Indian cricket’s golden generation .
For fans who grew up watching Tendulkar carry the team for two decades, this night was the perfect ending. As Virat Kohli said afterward: “Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It was time we carried him” .
FAQ Section
What was the final score of the 2011 India vs Sri Lanka World Cup final?
India scored 277/4 in 48.2 overs, chasing Sri Lanka’s 274/6. India won by 6 wickets with 10 balls remaining .
Who was the Man of the Match in the 2011 World Cup final?
MS Dhoni won the Man of the Match award for his unbeaten 91 off 79 balls .
How many runs did Sachin Tendulkar score in the 2011 World Cup final?
Sachin Tendulkar scored 18 runs from 14 balls before being caught behind off Lasith Malinga .
Who scored the winning runs in the 2011 World Cup final?
MS Dhoni hit the winning runs—a massive six off Nuwan Kulasekara over long-on .
Did India chase the highest target in a World Cup final?
Yes. India’s successful chase of 275 was the highest run-chase in a World Cup final at that time .
