Gautam Gambhir wasn't even ready when Virender Sehwag was dismissed in the 2011 World Cup final

Out of favour Indian batsman and KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir has revealed that he wasn’t even ready when former Indian opener Virender Sehwag was dismissed during the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka. The southpaw was still padding up when Lasith Malinga dismissed Sehwag with a well-directed inswinger. Though the Nawab of Najafgarh went for the review, replays showed it would have gone on to crash the middle and leg.

Gambhir played a mind boggling innings of 97 at the Wankhede Stadium on this date 6 years back to help India lift the World Cup after 28 years. He provided the platform after the early loss of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. The southpaw conceded getting off to a boundary of Malinga in the first ball settled the nerves.

“The first ball that Lasith Malinga bowled, I hit it for a boundary. At such times your nerves get settled as well. Whatever nerve was there, it was due to the fact that it was an international game, not because it was a World Cup final,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by India TV.

“It was not just about one or two individuals, but it was about everyone in the dressing room who believed that we could win the World Cup. There couldn’t have been a bigger stage set when you are chasing in the World Cup final that also at home. You never know whether you will get that opportunity ever again. You got to cherish the moment,” he further added.

Chasing a stiff target of 275, India were jolted early with the loss of Sehwag in the 2^nd delivery of the match. “We were chasing 275 and I was not even ready when Viru (Virender Sehwag) got out (leg before wicket) LBW in the second delivery. I was still padding up. Because the decision was a referral, I got the time to get ready,” the Delhi batsman said.

“The good thing that happened was there was nothing in my mind. If I had to wait for my opportunity, then there would have been a lot of things that would have gone on in my mind since it was a World Cup final and we were chasing 275,”added Gambhir who stitched together a brilliant partnership with MS Dhoni which paved the way for India’s title triumph.

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla who was part the squad but didn’t feature in the final revealed he didn’t take off the Indian jersey that night and slept with the winner’s medal. When the presentation ceremony was on, the champagne bottles were opened on the stage itself. I was drenched in champagne. Although I don’t drink, I was still feeling like I was drunk. I didn’t take off my India jersey that night,” Chawla said.

“I got everyone’s signature on that and I went to sleep with the T-shirt and the medal on,” mentioned Piyush Chawla when he recounted celebrations from that “incredible night”, Chawla added.