This month that year: A journey through time

‘Oh no, what just happened? Why is Dhoni being made to toss again? This cannot be a good omen. Can we really win this World Cup?' 42-year-old Shailesh Bhat had found himself pondering.

"When Viru Paaji (Virender Sehwag) got out, you could hear a pin drop. The stadium was unusually quiet. At times, I could hear people chanting. (smiles) Sochke hassi aata hai abhi (I now laugh thinking about it). It was a different experience, we were all one that night. We would get nervous if the players looked nervous, we would laugh if they laughed…cricket makes you do crazy stuff," he nostalgically recalled India's triumphant 2011 World Cup campaign, on the sidelines of Mumbai Indians' IPL 2024 showdown at Wankhede.

Bhat adds that he was advised to come back home by his wife because ‘sapne adhure hi reh jayenge iss baar bhi' (the dream will remain unfulfilled this time too). "Yes, that's exactly what she had told me over the phone. I remember so clearly because I did not like that statement and instead yelled at her and hung up. (smiles) Baad mein maafi bhi maangi (I apologised later). She was never fond of cricket, but she did cry that night after India won," the 55-year-old retired government employee fondly spoke of his late wife.

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About 13 years ago on April 2, the hallowed grounds of the Wankhede bore witness to a spectacle of unparalleled magnitude as India squared off against southern neighbours Sri Lanka in the final duel. With the hopes and dreams of a nation resting on their shoulders, Team India took the field with a steely resolve and unwavering commitment.

The showdown proved to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions, characterised by twists and turns that cricket is known to offer. The Lankans, under the leadership of the mercurial Kumar Sangakkara, set a daunting target, backed by a forbidding batting unit and a potent bowling attack. However, India remained unfazed, drawing inspiration from their collective spirit and the fervent support of a nation rallying behind them.

India faced early setbacks, losing Sachin Tendulkar and Sehwag in quick succession, and yet, amid the backdrop of tension and drama, it was the calm and composed partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli that steadied the innings, thereby laying the foundation for a memorable comeback. Gambhir's sublime innings, anchored by his ironclad resolve and impeccable timing, proved to be the cornerstone of India's run-chase that night.

However, the match reached its real climax with the indomitable spirit of MS Dhoni. With nerves of steel and ice running through his veins, the skipper orchestrated a masterstroke, promoting himself up the batting order. "As wickets fell, there was naturally more praying and chanting. Every now and then, I would try to gauge the crowd's reaction. With all of this happening, we get to see MSD (Dhoni) coming in to bat, now that was a real surprise. We saw he promoted himself up the order, but didn't know what he was about to do. I'm still curious to know what he must have been thinking. As a skipper especially, it's never easy. Even if you were not a fan of his, something in the air had just prompted the entire Wankhede crowd to chant ‘Dhoni, Dhoni, Dhoni'. It is inexplicable," Bhat remarked, his eyes shimmering with excitement.

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The crowd unleashed a thunderous cacophony as Dhoni led an onslaught of boundaries, culminating in a towering six that people thank him for even to this day. As the ball soared into the sky, carrying with it the hopes and aspirations of a billion souls, Wankhede erupted in a cacophony of absolute jubilation and ecstasy.

India had achieved the seemingly impossible, clinching World Cup glory on home soil after a wait of 28 years. For a nation starved of cricketing success, it was a moment of unbridled joy and euphoria, a culmination of dreams and aspirations that had been years in the making.

"It seemed all of us knew that Dhoni would win it for India. But yes, we probably won the Cup because of all the praying and chanting. (laughs) It feels good to recall that moment. I saw strangers embracing and warmly greeting each other, some were in tears, a few were dancing wildly lost in the euphoria of the moment. Sab kuch dekhne ko mila. Bass farq yeh hai, aap TV pe dekhe aur hum seedha maidan se. Woh pal jitna humara tha utna aapka bhi tha (I witnessed everything that night…the only difference is I saw it live from the stands and you on TV…that moment belonged to everyone of us), Jai Hind," Bhat signed off.

As the echoes of India's ascent to glory reverberate through the corridors of time, they serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of a team that dared to dream and a nation that believed.