Mumbai, Apr 2: On this day in 2011, the Indian cricket team lifted the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, bringing back the cup home after 28 years following team's unexpected and historic triumph back in 1983. This is the most iconic moment of Indian cricket in the 21st century.

MS Dhoni was the man with Midas Touch for India. After the 2007 50-over Cricket World Cup debacle, in which India was eliminated in the first round after humiliating defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, India looked for a new leader. Though Dhoni secured India its first world title in 24 years after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 with a young team, something still felt missing. T20 cricket had just arrived into mainstream cricket back then. Though Mahi's heroics with the young Indian team had a lot of value and paved way for a T20 revolution that was the Indian Premier League (IPL), the country still wanted the biggest prize of them all: The 50-over World Cup.

The 2011 WC was held jointly by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Playing under familiar subcontinent conditions, the tournament was a perfect chance for India to secure the 50-over World Cup. India and Sri Lanka entered the semifinals by beating Pakistan and New Zealand respectively.

The title clash was held at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who had grown up playing in the maidans of Mumbai and had heartbreakingly fell short of a World Cup win back in 2003 when Australia beat India in the finals. In his sixth attempt, Tendulkar had the perfect chance to finish his World Cup career on a fairytale note.

11 years later, this win remains special to India. Though India won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 under Dhoni's leadership, it is the last World Cup title India has won. It has come close to winning T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup and the Test Championship numerous times since then, but the teams have failed to replicate the magic of 'Class of 2011'. Will India be able to end their trophy drought in West Indies/USA by capturing the T20 WC this year? Only time will tell.

(ANI)

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