Sachin Tendulkar was the highest scorer for India in the World Cup 2011.
© AFP
Sachin Tendulkar was the cornerstone of India's World Cup triumph in 2011 with 482 runs and two hundreds but the Little Master revealed he was not even certain of playing the tournament after a first round exit in the 2007 edition in the West Indies. (Tendulkar Named Brand Ambassador for World Cup 2015 )
Having suffered defeats at the hands of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Tendulkar said he wasn't sure and had various thoughts entering his mind. At the moment he was urged by his brother Ajit and a few friends to hold on till the next World Cup which would be hosted in India: "When we returned from the 2007 World Cup, my brother and few of my friends told me, 'imagine holding the World Cup at the Wankhede in 2011'," Tendulkar told Star Sports.
Tendulkar was the second highest scorer in the tournament, 18 runs behind top scorer Tillekaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka and was an epitome of concentration, playing crucial innings and providing good starts to the co-hosts. After weeks of excellent cricket, India clashed with Sri Lanka at his hometown Mumbai to script a memorable win. (Tendulkar Backs India to Defend World Cup )
"Various thoughts had entered my mind. It was the first match after they had rebuilt the Wankhede. I still remember precisely how it all happened," Tendulkar said. "
Tendulkar revealed he did not watch the final moments of the Indian victory including Mahnedra Singh Dhoni's six that sealed the deal: "I was sitting in the dressing room and I didn't watch the winning shot. I was praying to God and said: 'Whatever is the best for the Indian team, please do that. I didn't allow Virender Sehwag to go out either. I told him to keep sitting next to me."
While Sehwag was dismissed for a two-ball duck, Tendulkar managed 18 off 14 balls before the duo settled down to watch Gautam Gambhir and Dhoni bat India to glory. Once India became the first sub-continental country to win the World Cup twice, the whole country broke into wild celebrations. But the most enduring moments were those of Tendulkar rushing out to congratulate unbeaten batsmen Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni. The Master Blaster's child-like exuberance in what turned out to be his last ODI at home, has since been part of several montages on TV. (Tendulkar's Career Would Have Been Incomplete Without World Cup: Akram )
"After we won, the entire nation celebrated. Once you cross the ropes and you're a player, you've got to be a child. That's what allowed me to play for 24 years," Tendulkar said, recalling his emotional celebrations.
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