“Dhoni finishes off in style…,” Ravi Shahstri recreates his iconic lines as India celebrates 11th anniversary of 2011 World Cup


“Dhoni finishes off in style…,” Ravi Shahstri recreates his iconic lines as India celebrates 11th anniversary of 2011 World Cup

MS Dhoni and Ravi Shashtri

“Dhoni finishes off in style…,” Ravi Shashtri’s iconic lines still reverberates in every cricket fan’ ears when India remembers the 2011 World Cup. The Men in Blue clenched the coveting cup after 28 years by hammering Sri Lanka by six wickets.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent six into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!” He could be heard saying the lines. During the IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, Ravi Shashtri, who was doing commentary, recreated the iconic lines for both Hindi and English viewers.

He said: “The moment has come. Samay aagya hain. Dhoni goes big. Bohot hi zabardast shot, bilkul crowd ki beech mein. Dhoni finishes off in style. Aur ye World Cup India ko 28 saal ke baad. The party begins in the dressing room, Mumbai is alive. Marine Drive pe part scenes dikhayi de rahe hain.”

He also explained the reasons before his iconic comments. He thought India was ahead at that time and that Dhoni will play it safe. He said: “There was enough time left but then a bolt of the blue, big out of the ground, world cup for India, captain cool finishing things off”.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also Read | MS Dhoni cuts the cake on the 11th anniversary of India’s ODI World Cup victory in 2011

I was walking in. Paaji said…’: Kohli recalls the 2011 World Cup final

Dhoni
World Cup 2011

Former India captain Virat Kohli also recalled the World Cup final and revealed three-word Sachin Tendulkar told him, in a video posted by the Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 2. Kohli had established a crucial 83-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir for the third wicket that stabilized their innings.

“Kohli said: “I remember the pressure of walking in to bat down for 20-something (2/3). Sachin and Sehwag, both were out. Sachin paaji had a brief chat with me when I walked in. He said, ‘build a partnership’. And we built a partnership, me and Gautam Gambhir”.

He then talked about the whole atmosphere throughout the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said: “I got 35 and it was probably the most important 35 in my cricket career. I felt very happy that I was a part of putting the team back on track and contributing in the way that I could. Just the thrill of winning the World Cup was something unbelievable, the atmosphere of the crowd singing ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jo Jeeta Vahi Sikandar’ song was surreal. It is something that is so fresh in our memories even now.”

Also Read | Breaking: MS Dhoni set to stage a comeback at the T20 World Cup, more details inside