"You won't talk about Yuvraj Singh, but that one six for sure" – Gautam Gambhir on India's 2011 World Cup win
On the tenth anniversary of India's 2011 World Cup triumph, Gautam Gambhir has lauded the contribution of Yuvraj Singh, lamenting how the left-hander's efforts were overshadowed by captain MS Dhoni's winning six.
Indian cricket witnessed one of its greatest moments when Dhoni launched Nuwan Kulasekara over wide long-on for a six to seal the 2011 World Cup win on this day ten years ago. However, ten years after that triumph, Gautam Gambhir, the other hero in that final, is irked that Dhoni's six became the defining moment of India's World Cup triumph and not Yuvraj Singh's all-round contribution in the tournament.
With 362 runs at an average of 90.5 and 15 wickets at an average of 25.13, Yuvraj Singh was a key player in India's second ODI World Cup win and deservingly won the Player of the Tournament award.
Gautam Gambhir lashed out for MS Dhoni's tournament-sealing six dominating public consciousness and not Yuvraj Singh's efforts. In an interview with The Times of India, Gautam Gambhir said:
"There were 13 or probably 14 unsung heroes in that win! Munaf, I, Harbhajan Singh, Virat Kohli, who got a hundred in the first game, Suresh Raina, who played a crucial knock against Pakistan - all these players' contributions were unbelievable. For that matter, when I look back today after ten years, I feel Yuvraj was an unsung hero as well, despite being the 'Man of the Tournament.' You won't talk about him, but people do talk about that one six (MS Dhoni's winning runs) for sure," said Gautam Gambhir, who top-scored in the 2011 World Cup final with 97.
Chasing 275 for victory, India were in a precarious position at 114 for 3 in the 22nd over after the fall of Virat Kohli. Dhoni promoted himself ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh and stitched together a 109-run stand with Gautam Gambhir that set up the platform for the successful chase.
Gautam Gambhir fell for 97, but MS Dhoni (91*) took the team home and was awarded the Man of the Match.
Yuvraj Singh won two World Cups: Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir has credited Yuvraj Singh for two World Cup wins for India (T20 World Cup in 2007 and ODI World Cup in 2011).
In the 2007 T20 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh scored only 148 runs in the tournament, with two fifties. But he got those runs at a strike rate close to 195. His 12-ball half-century against England in the tournament remains the fastest fifty in international cricket.
Despite Yuvraj Singh playing a key role in the 2007 T20 World Cup triumph, MS Dhoni's leadership was portrayed as the key reason for India's success.
"People say that I'm the unsung hero of that victory, but for me, he's (Yuvraj Singh) the biggest unsung hero of both the World Cup wins for India. Without his contribution, India wouldn't have won the 2011 World Cup. For me, he was the biggest player in both the World Cups. I don't like talking about individuals because in a team sport, everyone contributes - who won both the World Cups, it must be Yuvraj and no one else.
Gautam Gambhir continued:
"Yes, I got a 75 in the 2007 World T20 final and was the highest run-getter (for India) in the 2011 final. However, what he (Yuvraj Singh) did, I don't think anyone else could have," said Gautam Gambhir, who also top-scored for India in the 2007 T20 World Cup final.
Talking of World Cups, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir, here's an interesting trivia.
Back in 2000, both Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni were overlooked for the Under-19 World Cup. Yuvraj Singh went on to win India their maiden U-19 World Cup that year, bagging the Player of the Tournament award.