From glory under the Wankhede lights to new chapters beyond the pitch
On the night of April 2, 2011, in Mumbai, as floodlights reflected off the sea breeze and the stands pulsed with anticipation, Indian cricket stood on the brink of history. The scoreboard showed 275 to win, and the roar of the crowd was alive—part hope, part prayer.
When the final ball sailed over long-on and into the ecstatic crowd, a 28-year wait disappeared with a single swing of the bat from MS Dhoni. India had regained the ICC ODI World Cup, and the heroes of that night became part of the nation's sporting history.
Fourteen years later, as August calls us to revisit the memorable sporting moments since independence, the class of 2011 remains a symbol of victory, resilience, and the relentless spirit of sport. This is where life brought them.
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The opener who could dismantle an attack before it settled into a rhythm now brings the same fearless energy to commentary. Sehwag's post-retirement career has seen him flourish as a Hindi broadcaster and social media voice, dissecting games with an irreverent wit that mirrors his batting style.
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For Sachin, the 2011 trophy marked the pinnacle of a two-decade pursuit. Today, he mentors the next generation with the Mumbai Indians and continues to compete in veterans’ tournaments, most recently winning the International Masters League trophy with India Masters in 2025. His presence remains a lasting comfort for the game’s devoted followers.
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His steely 97 in the final was the backbone of India’s chase. After politics and punditry, Gambhir returned to cricket as mentor to Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, before stepping into perhaps his most challenging role yet—head coach of the Indian men’s team.
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A 22-year-old in 2011, Kohli is now 36 and the only remaining member of that squad still sporting India's blue in ODIs. His exceptional fitness, desire for runs, and dedication to the team have kept him among the game's elite, both for India and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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Captain Cool’s unbeaten 91 in the final and the trophy-winning six remain etched in history. Although he retired from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni continues to captain Chennai Super Kings, becoming the IPL’s elder statesman at 44. His presence at the crease still influences stadium atmospheres as he wills them to bend to his command.
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Player of the Tournament in 2011 for his all-round brilliance, Yuvraj faced a more personal challenge soon after—conquering cancer before making a comeback. Today, he dedicates his time to mentoring young talents like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, shaping futures with the same determination that once powered his six-hitting streaks.
Raina's timely cameos often tilted close matches. Following his retirement in 2022, he became a Hindi commentator for the IPL, remaining close to the game that had defined him.
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Harbhajan Singh
His off-spin was a crucial weapon in 2011, and now his commentary box analysis reflects the same tactical depth that left batters baffled.
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Leading wicket-taker for India in the tournament, Zaheer now mentors young fast bowlers for Lucknow Super Giants, passing on the art of swing and seam.
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A quiet but vital contributor in 2011, Munaf has applied his experience to coaching, including a period as Delhi Capitals’ bowling coach, while still representing India Legends.
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His intense spells in 2011 are still memorable. After clearing his name in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, Sreesanth has reinvented himself as a cricket analyst, analysing matches with honesty and flair.
