'Ensure that I do not fall down' - Sachin Tendulkar remembers what he told Virat Kohli during the 2011 WC victory lap

Master Blaster and legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar fondly recalled one joyful incident which occurred in the year 2011 when India were crowned as World champions. India defeated Sir Lanka on April 2, 2011, and fulfilled the batting maestro’s dream of bowing out as a champion.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni finished off the chase by hitting a six to bring the whole nation on its feet. The little master who had been involved in five previous World Cups was ecstatic, to say the least. As a fitting tribute to Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Yusuf Pathan carried him on his shoulders as a token of gesture.

In a recent interaction, the 48-year-old former player recalls what he had told the two players during the victory lap. “The victory lap had one incident when Virat and Yusuf Pathan lifted me, I told them to ensure that I do not fall down. It was not just the Indian team that won the World Cup, it was the entire nation, it is all of us who did it,” Tendulkar said on a Youtube show called LegendsWithUnacademy.

Sachin Tendulkar on his experience of seeing the 1983 World Cup

“When I saw Kapil Dev lifting the World Cup in 1983, it was an unbelievable experience. I enjoyed it with my friends and I wanted to chase my dream. I decided what may come, I have to focus and chase my dream of lifting the World Cup”, he added.

Tendulkar also added that it was one of his best moments in a career spanning 24 years. It was always his dream to be a World Cup winner and believed that he would finally have one besides his name. India were favorites to win the World Cup since it was held in the subcontinent. The Men in Blue duly lifted it after 28 years and gave millions of Indians a reason to celebrate.

India are now all set to feature in another big final the World Test Championship one involving New Zealand. The two teams will face in England on the 18^th of June 2021. India have now been ranked the number one team in the Test format for the last five years.