Quotes from Indian players after the World Cup 2011 victory

April 2^nd is a special date. It is a special date for every Indian cricket fan. Most of us born in the 90s and those also from the late 80s never actually got to witness what the World Cup glory meant. India had to wait long, as long as 28 years to replicate what Kapil Dev and his men had achieved in England in 1983. It was a squad full of champions led by a skilled leader, who had shown the world what calm captaincy meant that rewrote history at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2, 2011.

It was a dream come true moment for the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar who had on previous 5 occasions tried his best to ensure India won but the World Cup trophy always managed to butter away from his hands. The team even before the tournament started had pronounced that they will go in with all their intent and play to the best of their abilities to ensure the man who had devoted more than two decades of himself to the country and its cricket has the World Cup winners medal in his kitty before he calls it a day.

On the big night of the final being asked to chase 275 was never easy, but Gautam Gambhir made sure the billion hopes didn’t go numb, after Sachin and Virender Sehwag were dismissed early. Gambhir’s wonderful 97 ensured India were still in the hunt and then a majestic knock by the skipper MS Dhoni who culminated it with a six that sailed over to the Wankhede crowd as the entire nation erupted to celebrate one of the most prodigious scenes they would behold in their lives.

The players were overwhelmed as well and here is what they said after lifting the trophy:

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more than this. Winning the World Cup is the proudest moment of my life. Thanks to my team-mates. Without them, nothing would have happened. I couldn’t control my tears of joy.”
Sachin Tendulkar, the man it was all about

“I took a quite few decisions tonight, if we hadn’t won I would have been asked quite a few questions: Why no Ashwin, why Sreesanth, why no Yuvraj, why did I bat ahead?! That pushed me and motivated to do well”
MS Dhoni gives an insight into his team selection for the final

“This is unbelievable. The Under-19 World Cup, then the World Twenty20 but this is the most special. For Sachin, for everyone else.”
The Player of the tournament – Yuvraj Singh,

“All credit goes to Sachin Tendulkar. We played for him. Beating Australia and Pakistan and now this, its a dream come true.”

Gautam Gambhir, whose 97 runs gave India the winning hope

“It means the world to me. I have been part of the three World Cups. This is for the nation. Thank you very much, we love you. This cup is for the people. Love you India!”
Harbhajan Singh couldn’t stop tears from rolling over

“This goes out to all the people of India. This is my first World Cup; I can’t ask for more. Tendulkar has carried the burden of nation for 21 years; It was time we carried him. Chak de India!”
Virat Kohli pays a rich tribute to Sachin

Though Sri Lanka lost they played some wonderful cricket. Mahela Jayawardene was the star with the bat, his hundred was one of the best we have seen in the history, what elegance, what class, what style of playing the shots. It was just that the night belonged to the Indians otherwise they did deserve to win.

“Very proud of everyone, especially Mahela who rose up to the occasion and put up a great hundred. When you look at this Indian team anything less than 350 looks less! They deserved this title, the way they played in front of a great crowd.”
Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka skipper was humble in accepting defeat

MS Dhoni has been a wonderful captain – *10 best quotes on MS Dhoni’s captaincy by Cricketing Legends