On the auspicious occasion of the 13th anniversary of India’s historic victory in the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup, Sakshi Dhoni, the wife of iconic cricketer MS Dhoni, took to social media to share a touching anecdote, enca??psulating the essence of the momentous event.

Sakshi Dhoni’s touching tribute

The 2011 World Cup, held in India, marked a watershed moment in the nation’s cricketing history as Dhoni led the Indian team to a resounding victory against Sri Lanka in the final match on April 2, 2011. Remembered for Dhoni’s iconic six that clinched the title, the triumph holds a special place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

In a heartfelt post, Sakshi expressed her gratitude towards the unwavering support of fans throughout the years. Accompanied by a captivating collage featuring Dhoni, including moments with the World Cup trophy and the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, Sakshi’s post resonated with sentiments of appreciation and reverence.

“Marking 2nd April â€?Well-wishers and supporters have always generously showered blessings. To top it all, God has been kind!” ??wrote Sakshi in the cap??tion, reflecting on the enduring significance of April 2nd in their lives.

Also READ: Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and others relive India?’s 2011 World ??Cup triumph

Reliving the 2011 World Cup final

The 2011 World Cup final, a clash between two Asian giants, witnessed a riveting contest as Sri Lanka set a formidable target of 275 runs, propelled by Mahela Jayawardene‘s sublime century. However, India showcased resilience, with Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan making crucial bre??akt?hroughs to contain the opposition.

India’s chase began with adversity as Virender Sehwag fell early, followed by the departure of Sachin Tendulkar. Nonetheless, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir steadied the ship with a pivotal partnership, laying the foundation for Dhoni’s masterstroke.

As Dhoni joined Gambhir in the middle, their partnership flourished, with both batters notching vital half-centuries. Gambhir’s departure for a valiant 97 left the stage set for Dhoni, who etched his name in cricketing folklore with an unbeaten 91, culminating in the iconic six that sealed India’s triumph.

Also READ: Ben Stokes opts out of T20 World Cup 2024; here’s the reason

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“And Dhoni finishes off in style! A magnificent strike into the crowd. India lift the World Cup after 28 years!” These words from Ravi Shastri are etched for eternity in the hearts of Indian cricketing fraternity. It inst?antly takes the whole ?nation down the memory lane when MS Dhoni launched a humongous six off Nuwan Kulasekara to seal the 2011 World Cup trophy.

Dhoni, the then skipper, scored an unbeaten 91 to take his team across the finishing line. Over a decade after the momentous occasion, Sunil Gavaskar has managed to find the?? ball and also the exact seat on which it landed.

Gavaskar revealed that the ball is currently in possession of a Hong Kong resident. Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) w?ould request the person to hand over the ball for a museum.

“Gavaskar has informed an MCA Apex Council member that the ball is with a Hong Kong resident. The MCA’s newly formed museum committee will now approach Gavaskar and then subsequently request this person to hand over the ball so that the MCA can keep it in the museum whenever it’s built,” said a source in the MCA as quoted by Pune Mirror.

‘MCA to devote a permanent seat on MS Dhoni’s name’

MCA has? further decided that the seat where the ball landed would be painted and decorated to celebrate its special association with Dhoni.

Ajinkya Naik, a member of the MCA Council, has also written a letter to the governing body to commemorate Dhoni’s achievement as a cricketer in a unique way.

“As an act of gratitude and tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s immense contribution to Indian cricket, the MCA can devote a permanent seat on his name at the stand where his famous World Cup-winning six had landed,” read?? the letter Naik wrote to the governing body.

“We can find out the area where the ball landed—and which seat it was flying to—after Dhoni smashed it to win the 2011 World Cup. We can paint and decorate the seat in a unique way to celebrate Dhoni’s association with Wankhede Stadiumâ€?We can have a plaque on that seat with some special text to honour that moment,” he added.

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After former Sri Lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s shocking claims that the 2011 World Cup final was fixed, legendary cricketers from the country have been questioned by the police. This happened after the Sri Lankan government ordered a criminal probe into the matter.

On Thursday, former Sri Lanka captain and one of the greatest cricketers to have played for the country, Kumar Sangakkara was grilled for over five hours by the investigation team. However, the appalling treatment of veteran players by the authorities led to protests organised by the Youth Alliance of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), in fr?ont of the sports ministry.

Members of the Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya (@youthforsjb) are currently staging a protest outside the SLC against the harassment Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara and 2011 cricket team. #SriLanka #LKA #Matchfixing #ProtestSL via @kataclysmichaos pic.twitter.com/BfOr6tcsOK

— Sri Lanka Tweet đŸ‡±đŸ‡° (@SriLankaTweet) July 2, 2020

A??s per local reports, Sangakkara spoke to the media after the interrogation and said the truth will soon be out.

SJB’s Sajith Premadasa showed his support to the former Sri Lanka skipper. He said that the harassment of 2011 World Cup heroes must be opposed most firmly.

Continuous harassment of @KumarSanga2 and our 2011 cricket heroes must be strongly opposed. Government behavio??r is deplorable.

— Sajith Premadasa (@sajithpremadasa) July 2, 2020

Aluthgamage had earlier claimed the country ‘sold’ the final to India.

“I tell you today that we [Sri Lanka team] sold the 2011 World Cup. I tell this with responsibility. I don’t want to divulge too much for the sake of the countryâ€?I say the match against India, the one we could have won; we betrayed,” Aluthgamage had said during an interview to a local channel.

In the 2011 World Cup final which was held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the Sangakkara-led side pos??t??ed 274/6 with Mahela Jayawardene scoring an unbeaten 103. In reply, India successfully chased down a 275-run target courtesy of the match-winning nineties from MS Dhoni (91 not out) and Gautam Gambhir (97).

The ‘Men in Blue’ won the contest with six wickets in hand and lifted the prestigious trophy after 28 years. Back in 1983, under the leadership of Kapil Dev, India had won their first-ever World Cup title.

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In shocking developments, former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara, on Thursday, was asked to record a statement, following initiation of alleged fixing probe during 2011 World Cu??p finals. One of the local newspapers, Daily Mirror, confirmed the report.

After a controversial toss, the Sangakkara led team opted to bat first and c??ould not defend their total in front of hosts India.

The then Sri Lankan Sports Minister, of-late, has been very vocal about the need for an investigation ??for the final which the Islanders lost by six wickets.

In Mahindananda Aluthgamage words, on the ??eve of th??e game, the Lankan cricket team made four changes to the lineup without addressing the authorities.

Earlier, the investigators also summoned Aravinda de Silva to record his statements, who was the chief selector, at that time??.

“I tell you today that we sold the 2011 World Cup final. Even when I was sports minister I ??believed this. In 2011, we were to win, but we sold the match. I feel I can talk about it now. I am not connecting players, but some sections were involved,â€?Alut??hgamage told AFP.

Former Lankan great, and chief companion of Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, help??ed set up the Lions�to?tal with his unbeaten knock of 103.

Mahela came in support of Sangakkara on Twitter by saying, “Is the elections around the corner Looks like the circus has started Names and evidence?â€?/p>

To which Aluthgamage replied by saying, “Mahela has said that the circus has started. I don’t understand why Sanga and Mahela are making a big deal about this. I am not referring to any of our players.â€?/p>

Later, Jayawadena lashed back at the former minister with his tweet, “When someone accuses that we sold the 2011 WC naturally it’s a big deal because we don’t know how one could fix a match and not be part of the playing 11? Hopefully, we will get enlightened after 9 years
â€?/p>

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Sri Lankan former cricketer Upul Tharanga has been summoned to appear before a special investigative unit in response to startling allegations of indulging himself in the malicious act of match-fixing in the 2011 World Cup final. Several other senior players including Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara’s name has also popped up.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who was the sports minister of Sri Lanka in 2011, is the one who has come up with these accusations. His contentions are said to be based on the four changes that Sri Lankan cricket team made in their playing squad on the?? final day. However, it looks like merely a susp?icion as the former Parliamentarian fails to provide any solid evidence to back his claim.

The senior players and team management have repeatedly insisted that the changes were made in response to the minor injury suffered by Angelo Mathews and Mutt??iah Muralitharan before the match.

Earlier, it was Aravinda de Silva, ??who was grilled for six long hours by the special unit, headed by Jagath F??onseka. Aravind De Silva was the chief selector of the Sri Lankan cricket team at that time.

“Based on the statement given by Aravinda de Silva today, we have decided to summon a player from the 2011 squad, Upul Tharanga, tomorrow to record his statement,” said Jagath Fonseka to the local press.

Tharanga, in his days, was an explosive opening batsman known for his virtuosity an??d audacious strokeplay. He has featured in 31 Test, 235 ODI and 23 T-20 matches for Sri Lanka.

In the World Cup final again??st India, the lanky left-handed batsman failed to turn up to the occasion. He scored just 2 runs off 20 balls before falling prey to Zaheer Khan.

Jayawardane, another player who has been summoned, scored a brilliant century in the match to propel Sri Lanka to a respectabl??e total of 274 in 50 overs. However, his century went in vain as India chased down the target, court??esy heroic efforts from Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni.

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Not so long ago, former Sri Lanka sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had claimed that the Sri Lankan team ‘sold’ the 2011 World Cup final to ensure India takes the coveted trophy. Now, as per the latest reports, the Sri Lanka government has ordered a criminal probe into the allegations.

“A criminal investigation has begun,” said KDS Ruwanchandra, the secretary to the sports ministry, as quoted by news agency AFP.

AFP also re??vealed that former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva, who was the chief selector of the Sri Lanka team for 2011 final, was subpoenaed for an interview with the investigators on Tuesday.

Earlier this month during an interview with local TV channel ‘Sirasa’, Aluthgamage had said that the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka was fixed.

“I tell you today that we [Sri Lanka team] sold the 2011 World Cup. I tell this with responsibility. I don’t want to divulge too much for the sake of the countryâ€?I say the match against India, the one we could have won; we betrayed,” Aluthgamage had said

After Aluthgamage’s claims, De Silva had disproved the allegations but requested SLC, BCCI and the ICC to investigate the matter in order to clear the clouds of doubts.

“We cannot let people get away all the time with lies. I request everyone, ICC, BCCI, and SLC to investigate this immediately.”

“Just like we cherished our World Cup victory, players like Sachin (Tendulkar) cherish these moments for the rest of their lives. I think in the interest of Sachin and the millions of cricket fans across India, it’s the duty of the Indian government and their cricket board to initiate an impartial inquiry to see whether they have won a fixed World Cup,” De Silva had written in his column in The Sunday Times.

In the 2011 World Cup final, the Kumar Sangakkara-led side posted 274/6 with Mahela Jayawardene scoring an unbeaten 103. In response, India chased down a 275-run target thanks to the match-winning nineties from MS Dhoni (91 not out) and Gautam Gambhir (97). The ‘Men in Blue’ accomplished the target with six wickets in hand to lift the prestigious trophy after 28 years.

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Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has once again hit back at ex-Sri Lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who had accused the national team for ‘selling’ the 2011 World Cup final against India.

“I tell you today that we [Sri Lanka team] sold the 2011 World Cup. I tell this with responsibility. I don’t want to divulge too much for the sake of the country… I say the match against India, the one we could have won; we betrayed,” Aluthgamage had said in an interview with Sirasa TV.

After the statement, both Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara had registered their reactions on micro-blogging website Twitter. Sanga had asked to take ‘evidence’ to the ICC and the Anti-corruption and Security Unit. While Jayawardene took the election jibe and said: “Looks like the circus has started.”

Is the elections around the corner đŸ€”Looks like the circus has started đŸ€Ą names and evidence? #SLpolitics #ICC //t.co/bA4FxdqXhu

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) June 18, 2020

However, two days after Aluthgamage’s claims, the former Sports Minister came up with a clarification that ‘he did not refer to any player’ in his serious allegation.

Jayawardene yet again responded to Aluthgamage’s statement saying how one could fix a match and not be a part of it.

“When someone accuses that we sold the 2011 WC naturally it’s a big deal because we don’t know how one could fix a match and not be part of the playing 11? Hopefully, we will get enlightened after nine years,” tweeted Jayawardene.

When some one accuses that we sold the 2011 WC naturaly it’s a big deal cus we don’t know how one could fix a match and not be part of the playing 11? Hopefully we will get enlightened after 9 years…😃👍 //t.co/cmBtle5dNE

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) June 19, 2020

The captivating 2011 final witnessed India lifting the World Cup after 28 years. In the game, Sri Lanka posted 274 for six with Mahela Jayawardene scoring an unbeaten 103. In reply, India chased down a 275-run target after match-winning nineties from MS Dhoni (91 not out) and Gautam Gambhir (97).

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The apex governing body, International Cricket Council (ICC) has sa?id that it will look into the match-fixing allegations of the 2011 World Cup final, thrown by the then Sri Lankan Sports Minister.

The Sri Lankan cric??ket team met hosts India in the summit clash of the showpiece event at W??ankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The Lankans decided to make ??four changes? to their team which featured in the semi-finals against New Zealand on the eve of the final.

Thisara P??erera replaced an injured Angelo Matthews, while Suraj Randiv, Cha??mara Kapudegara, and Nuwan Kulasekara came in for Ajantha Mendis, Chamara Silva and Rangana Herath.

To which, the ex-sports minister, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, and the administration w??asn’t intimated about.

“I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game. The team who played th??e final match was not the team we had selected, finalized and sent off,â€?the mi??nister suggested.

“At the last moment, without the consultation of either me ??as the then minister of Sports or officials of the Sri Lanka Cricket Control Board, four new players had been included to the team,â€?added Aluthgamage.

“We look forwar??d to talking to him?? to see if there are any matters worthy of investigation,â€?one of the ICC representatives stated while talking to Newswire.

Earlier, former Lankan great Aravinda de Silva also demanded a probe investigating the 2011 ODI World Cup final. De Silva affirmed that it is derogatory for cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar, who won the prized title for his country?.

Meanwhile, the then Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara rubbished the former m??inister’s claim and was seconded by Mahela Jayawardena who asked for pieces of evidence.

Mahela hit a sparkling ton in the final of the multilateral tournament, setting up a challenging total of 275 in front of the Indians. However, Lankan bowling fell short of the class of Indian captain MS Dhoni (91*) an??d Gautam Gambhir (97).

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Sri Lankan veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva has demanded the ICC, BCCI and SLC for launching a probe looking into the match-fixing allegations regarding the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup. Aravinda was the Chairman o??f Selection committee at the time of the 2011 World cup in India.

De Silva felt that ‘no one should get away telling liesâ€?and making accusations as grave as this. Moreo??ver, Silva reckoned that allegations demean the In??dian and Sri Lankan cricketers and management involved in the match.

The Lankan middle-order great, Aravinda, smashed a match-winning ton in the final of the 1996 ODI World Cup, which helped the Islanders w??in over Australia.

Earlier, the ex-sports minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage demanded an investigation to look at the surprise changes made on the day of the fina??l at Wank??hede stadium in Mumbai.

The Lions included Chamara ?Kapugedara in place of Chamara Silva, Thisara Perera in place of injured Angelo Matthews, Suraj Randiv in place of Ajantha Mendis; and Nuwan Kulasekara ahead of Rangana Herath, who played against New Zealand in the semi-finals of the tournament.

“Just like we cherished our World Cup victory, players like Sachin (Tendulkar) cherish these moments for the rest of their lives. I think in the interest of Sachin and the millions of cricket fans across India, the Indian government and their cricket board must initiate an impartial inq?uiry to see whether ?they have won a fixed World Cup,â€?De Silva was quoted as saying by The Sunday Times.

“When serious allegations like these are being made, it affects a lot of people. In this case not only us, the sel??ectors, the players and the team management but Indian cricketers who deservingly won the world title. We need to clear this once and for all for the greater good of the game we love,â€?he added.

Lankan batting stalwarts, Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara also took to Twitter, delivering scathing blows to allegations made by the former pol?iti??cian.

“Here is a man who has no reputation ?or credibility trying to cast wild allegations at all those who were involved with that game. I am ready to face any inquiry. But these liars should?? not be spared. As I said they are tarnishing our hard-earned reputations,â€?concluded Aravinda.

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