The 2011 Cricket World Cup holds a special place in every Indian’s heart due to numerous reasons. First of all, it was Sachin’s last World Cup, and he ended up winning it. Secondly, team India ended their 28 years of WC drought as they defeated Sri Lanka in the final, and last but not least, India became the first country to win the World Cup at home. The Indian cricket team won their 2nd World Cup title in 2011 because different players rose to different occasions to protect the dignity of the team.
India played 9 matches in the event while losing only one match against South Africa in the group stage and finishing a game against England as a tie. In the quarter-final, beating the defending Champions Australia was soul-soothing for the whole country but the fans enjoyed it more when India thrashed Pakistan in the semi-final at Mohali.

2011 Cricket World Cup Indian Team
Let’s check out whole historical Team India during 2011 Cricket World Cup –
Sachin Tendulkar
Among 15 members, Sachin Tendulkar was the biggest contributor with the bat for the team. Playing all 9 matches, the legendary batter piled up a tally of mammoth 482 runs at an impressive average of 53.55 with 2 centuries and as many fifties to his name. But his best innings was 85 off 115 balls in the semi-finals against Pakistan at Mohali, aiding India to post 260 runs on board to thump them by 29 runs.
Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag was the reason India got off to a flying start in every match. The swashbuckling batsman from Delhi hit a four in the first ball in 5 matches out of 8 in the event. At a staggering strike rate of 122.58, he made 380 runs which also included a century and fifty.
Gautam Gambhir
On the premium list of the 2011 Cricket World Cup Indian Team players, Gautam Gambhir’s beneficiation was immense. Gambhir helped India to anchor the innings in each match and who can forget his match-winning 97 off 122 balls which rescued India from a crisis score of 31/2 in the powerplay of the penultimate match of the event during their chase of 275 runs.
Yuvraj Singh
India’s 2011 World Cup triumph would not have been possible without the performances of evergreen all-rounder Yuvraj Singh. With the ball, Singh bagged 15 wickets, while aggregating 362 runs with the willow at a stunning average of 90.50. Despite fighting cancer, the Southpaw kept his spirit high and put his heart and soul into every outing for his team.
MS Dhoni
The dashing captain cum hard-hitting batsman of the Indian cricket team was on point in terms of captaincy and batting down the order. The 41 years old made no mistake in keeping, bowling changes, and setting the batting orders. The most important innings of MS Dhoni’s life, an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls emerged in the finals of the 2011 World Cup at Wankhede Stadium as he promoted himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh to tackle the menacing of Muttiah Muralitharan given his awareness of Murali’s bowling. The batting stalwart took India home by hitting a humungous six off Nuwan Kulasekara on the night of the final.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli got into the Indian team for the 2011 World Cup following his great form in the ODIs. Having scored a fine century against Bangladesh in his very first WC match, Kohli went on cream 282 runs in 9 matches. His small cameo of 35 runs in 49 balls in the final against Sri Lanka was the most important knock of his 2011 WC campaign.
Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan was the unsung hero in India’s 2011 World Cup victory. The ace left-arm seamer spearheaded the bowling attack for India and ended as the joint-highest wicket-taker with Shahid Afridi with 22 wickets in 9 games. The stalwart bowler bamboozled everyone with his swing bowling and knuckleball, which was introduced in international cricket for the first time.
Harbhajan Singh
Ace Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh did not get too many wickets, scalping only 9 wickets in as many matches. In all matches, Harbhajan bowled at a light economy of 4.48, which dictates his tight line, length, and impressive variations.
Munaf Patel
Munaf Patel was the 2nd important fast bowler from India in the 2011 WC. His swinging balls along with master slowers helped him to bag 11 wickets in 8 outings. Patel was instrumental for India to beat Pakistan in the semifinals as he sent two important batsmen Hafeez and Razzaq to the pavilion with his outstanding bowling and giveaway only 40 runs in 2 overs.
Ravi Ashwin
Playing in the 2011 Cricket World Cup as a new addition for India, Ashwin utilized the chances the management gave to him. Skipper MS Dhoni imparted him a place in the playing xi on spin-friendly wickets. In the group match against West Indies, Ashwin claimed a figure of 2/41 while in the quarter-finals, he got the better of centurion Ricky Ponting and charismatic opener Shane Watson.
Suresh Raina
One of the vital cogs in the Indian setup for the 2011 World Cup, Suresh Raina was part of the playing xi in 4 matches. But his responsible cameo of 34* off 28 balls in the run chase against Australia in the Super Eight stage and gutsy 36 off 39 balls in the SF against Pakistan to take India to a fighting total of 260 will be immortal forever because the Men in Blue came out victorious in both occasions.
Ashish Nehra
Concisely, veteran left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra’s 2011 World Cup campaign was not a nice one due to his suffering from injuries. He played three matches in total, including the do-or-die semi-finals against Pakistan, and collected 3 wickets. Nevertheless, his economic spell of 2/33 in 10 overs kept Pakistan within limits and aided India to advance into the finals.
The other three members of India’s 2011 WC team were Piyush Chawla, S Sreesanth, and Yusuf Pathan. They all gave their blood and sweat for the betterment of the team, sometimes being in playing 11 or sometimes cheering from the boundary rope.
The Indian Team For The 2011 World Cup
MS Dhoni (C & WK), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Munaf Patel, Ashish Nehra, Piyush Chawla, and S Sreesanth.
Also check out 1983 Cricket World Cup Indian Team Players List here.
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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