The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was the tenth edition of the Cricket World Cup, hosted jointly by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh from 19 February to 2 April 2011. It was the first time that the tournament was held in the Indian subcontinent since the 1996 World Cup.
The tournament featured 14 teams competing in 49 matches across 13 venues. The final was played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where India defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets to win their second World Cup title, 28 years after their first victory in 1983.
Background and Host Selection
The International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded the hosting rights to the Asian cricketing nations (India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh) in 2006. However, due to security concerns following the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan was stripped of its hosting rights, and its matches were redistributed among the other three host nations.
Format and Teams
The tournament followed a format similar to the 2003 and 2007 World Cups:
- 14 teams were divided into two groups of seven each.
- Each team played the others in its group in a round-robin format.
- The top four teams from each group advanced to the knockout stage (quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final).
Participating Teams
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Australia | India |
| Pakistan | South Africa |
| New Zealand | England |
| Sri Lanka | West Indies |
| Zimbabwe | Bangladesh |
| Canada | Ireland |
| Kenya | Netherlands |
Tournament Summary
Group Stage Highlights
Group A
- Sri Lanka and Pakistan dominated, finishing 1st and 2nd respectively.
- Australia’s 34-match unbeaten streak in World Cups ended with a loss to Pakistan.
- New Zealand secured the 3rd spot, while Zimbabwe finished 4th.
- Canada and Kenya were eliminated early.
Group B
- South Africa topped the group, followed by India, England, and West Indies.
- Bangladesh failed to advance despite being a host nation.
- Ireland pulled off an upset against England, chasing 328 runs (Kevin O’Brien scored the fastest World Cup century in 50 balls).
Knockout Stage
Quarter-Finals
- Pakistan vs West Indies – Pakistan won by 10 wickets (Chris Gayle’s early dismissal led to WI’s collapse).
- India vs Australia – India won by 5 wickets (Yuvraj Singh’s all-round performance).
- Sri Lanka vs England – Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets (Tillakaratne Dilshan & Upul Tharanga chased 230 easily).
- South Africa vs New Zealand – NZ won by 49 runs (SA choked again in a knockout match).
Semi-Finals
- India vs Pakistan (Mohali) – India won by 29 runs in a high-pressure match (Sachin Tendulkar scored 85, and Indian bowlers restricted Pakistan).
- Sri Lanka vs New Zealand (Colombo) – Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (Mahela Jayawardene’s unbeaten 103 guided SL to the final).
Final: India vs Sri Lanka (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai – 2 April 2011)
Match Summary
- Sri Lanka batted first and posted 274/6 (Mahela Jayawardene 103*, Kumar Sangakkara 48).
- India lost Sehwag (0) and Tendulkar (18) early, but Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni (91*) rebuilt the innings.
- Dhoni hit the winning six off Nuwan Kulasekara, finishing at 277/4 in 48.2 overs.
- India won by 6 wickets, securing their second World Cup title.
Key Performances
Batting
- Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) – 500 runs (Highest run-scorer).
- Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 482 runs (Two centuries).
- Jonathan Trott (ENG) – 422 runs.
Bowling
- Zaheer Khan (IND) – 21 wickets (Joint highest wicket-taker).
- Shahid Afridi (PAK) – 21 wickets.
- Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) – 15 wickets (Final World Cup appearance).
All-Rounders
- Yuvraj Singh (IND) – 362 runs & 15 wickets (Player of the Tournament).
Controversies and Memorable Moments
- Umpiring errors (Notably in the India vs England tie).
- Ireland’s giant-killing act vs England.
- Sachin Tendulkar’s dropped catches in the final.
- MS Dhoni’s promotion ahead of Yuvraj in the final, leading to his match-winning knock.
Legacy
- India became the first host nation to win since 1996.
- Sri Lanka’s second consecutive final loss (after 2007).
- End of an era for legends (Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ricky Ponting).
Conclusion
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was one of the most exciting and emotional tournaments in cricket history. India’s victory united the nation, and the final at Wankhede Stadium remains an iconic moment in sports history. The event showcased competitive cricket, emerging talents, and unforgettable performances, making it a landmark edition of the World Cup.
