Introduction: A memorably dramatic scorecard
The 2011 world cup final cricket scorecard remains one of the most replayed and analyzed documents in modern cricket history. India vs Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium produced a match summary and scorecard details that live in fans’ memories: Mahela Jayawardene’s composed century, a competitive Sri Lanka innings of 274/6, and India’s spectacular chase to 277/4, capped by MS Dhoni’s iconic six. This article revisits the full story of that final — using clear scorecard highlights, match context, player performances, and frequently asked questions — to help you relive the moments and understand why the 2011 final scorecard still matters for cricket fans.
Match overview: Final at Wankhede — India vs Sri Lanka 2011
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was a classic. Sri Lanka posted a strong first-innings total, setting a challenging target. India, chasing under immense pressure and with the weight of a nation behind them, responded through key partnerships and composed batting. The match is remembered equally for the Sri Lanka innings led by Mahela Jayawardene and the Indian chase highlighted by Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni.
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Match: India vs Sri Lanka, ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2011
- Result summary: Sri Lanka 274/6; India 277/4 (India won by 6 wickets)
- Key performers: Mahela Jayawardene (103), Gautam Gambhir (97), MS Dhoni (91*), Lasith Malinga (impactful bowling spells)
Sri Lanka innings: Scorecard details and Jayawardene’s century
Sri Lanka batted first and were anchored by captain Mahela Jayawardene. The Sri Lanka innings displayed patience and skill; Jayawardene’s century was calm and authoritative, laying a foundation for a defendable total. Their scorecard shows valuable middle-order contributions and disciplined bowling options to restrict India earlier in the tournament.
Key scorecard highlights from Sri Lanka innings:
- Total: 274/6 (50 overs)
- Top scorer: Mahela Jayawardene — 103 (captain’s century)
- Contributions: Several Sri Lankan batsmen offered useful partnerships, rotating strike and hitting boundaries at the right times to reach a competitive total.
- Bowling threats: Bowlers like Lasith Malinga provided crucial overs at the death, and others maintained pressure through good lines and variations.
Example: Jayawardene’s century combined technique and temperament. He paced his innings against India’s bowling attack, dealing particularly well with the swing and seam early on and accelerating when required. Those innings are a central entry in any 2011 final scorecard review.
India innings: The chase and crucial partnerships
India’s innings against the Sri Lanka scorecard target was a study in composure. Despite early nerves, India built partnerships that dismantled the required run rate and applied pressure back on Sri Lanka. The key to the chase was a blend of resilience and intelligent strokeplay.
- Total achieved: 277/4 in 48.2 overs — India won by 6 wickets
- Top performances: Gautam Gambhir scored a courageous 97; MS Dhoni finished with an unbeaten 91 and sealed the win with a signature six.
- Support roles: Contributions from young Virat Kohli and others created a well-rounded chase, while experienced heads kept the run rate in check.
Tip: When reading the 2011 final scorecard, note how flat partnerships protected India from collapse and how the middle order managed the required rate when it mattered most.
Scorecard highlights and key moments
The official match summary and scorecard highlights cover the turning points that defined the final. Below are the pivotal moments you should revisit in the match summary for a deeper understanding:
- Jayawardene’s century: A captain’s innings that posted a match-defining total and kept Sri Lanka competitive throughout.
- Gambhir’s 97: A vital anchor for India in the chase; his innings bridged the gap when early wickets had fallen.
- Dhoni’s finishing knock: His calm 91* under pressure is one of the most quoted lines in an ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 scorecard. The final over boundary — a six — is the iconic image.
- Fielding and strategy: Field placements, bowling changes, and clutch runs-out attempts contributed significantly to the flow of the match.
Example moment: With India needing runs in the final overs, Dhoni’s presence of mind and willingness to take responsibility turned the match. The tactic of rotating strike with Kohli and Gambhir earlier set the platform for a composed finish. Fans still replay the last over from the scoreboard perspective, where the required runs dwindled under perfect execution.
Player-by-player scorecard details (digest)
Below is a concise, reader-friendly breakdown of the most important contributors from both sides. This section is not a full ball-by-ball scorecard but highlights the players whose numbers mattered most in the final scorecard.
- India
- Gautam Gambhir — 97: The left-hander batted with intent and responsibility to build a stable chase.
- MS Dhoni — 91* (not out): Finished the match with authority, damage-limiting until the final push amplified the win.
- Virat Kohli & others — crucial support: Short, timely cameos helped maintain the pace.
- Sri Lanka
- Mahela Jayawardene — 103: A captain’s century that anchors their innings and is etched on the World Cup final scorecard.
- Lasith Malinga & others — bowling efforts that restrained India at stages and made the chase competitive.
Lessons from the 2011 final scorecard: tactics, temperament, and legacy
The 2011 world cup final cricket scorecard is more than a list of numbers; it’s a compressed narrative of leadership, tactics, and individual temperament under pressure. Below are a few lessons that teams and fans still discuss:
- Partnership value: Gambhir and Dhoni’s partnerships show how two steady innings can dismantle a competitive total.
- Role clarity: Players knew their roles — anchor, finisher, strike-rotator — and executed them under the lights at Wankhede Stadium.
- Adaptation: Both sides adapted to pitch behavior and bowled to plans; small adjustments made a big difference in final scorecard details.
Example tip for players studying the match: Emphasize rotation of strike in middle overs and save high-risk shots for when your finisher is set — precisely what India did during the chase.
Complete match summary: flow and turning points
To fully appreciate the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 scorecard, understanding the flow of the match is essential. Sri Lanka’s initial control in the innings was countered by India’s composure. Key phases:
- Powerplay and early overs: Sri Lanka used the new ball sensibly and lost very few early wickets.
- Middle overs consolidation: Jayawardene accelerated when needed, while India sought to keep wickets in hand for a chase strategy.
- Death overs and the chase: India timed their acceleration expertly. Gambhir set the stage; Dhoni finished it with authority — the final overs swung entirely in India’s favor.
When you look at the official 2011 final scorecard, you’ll see these phases reflected in partnerships, strike rates, and bowling economies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What was the final score in the 2011 World Cup final?
A1: The 2011 world cup final cricket scorecard shows Sri Lanka 274/6 (50 overs) and India 277/4 (48.2 overs). India won by 6 wickets.
Q2: Who scored the centuries in the 2011 final?
A2: Mahela Jayawardene scored a century for Sri Lanka (103). For India, Gautam Gambhir scored 97 and MS Dhoni scored an unbeaten 91 but did not reach a hundred.
Q3: Where was the 2011 World Cup final played?
A3: The final was held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a fitting stage for such a historic India vs Sri Lanka clash.
Q4: What are the most replayed moments on the 2011 final scorecard?
A4: The most replayed moments include Jayawardene’s composed century, Gambhir’s crucial knock of 97, and especially MS Dhoni’s match-winning six. Those entries dominate the 2011 final scorecard highlights.
Q5: Who was named Man of the Match in the 2011 final?
A5: MS Dhoni was awarded Man of the Match for his unbeaten 91 that sealed India’s victory in the final chase.
Conclusion: Why the 2011 final scorecard endures
The 2011 world cup final cricket scorecard is more than a record; it is a story of leadership, strategy, and clutch performance. It captures Jayawardene’s stellar century, Gambhir’s near-century that steadied India, and Dhoni’s composed finish that turned a nation’s hope into triumph. Whether you’re studying match summary tactics, revisiting the India vs Sri Lanka 2011 narrative, or analyzing scorecard details, the Wankhede final remains a blueprint for how to win a high-pressure chase and why cricket’s scorecards are essential historical documents.
For fans and students of the game, the 2011 final scorecard will continue to offer lessons on partnership construction, finishing skills, and how one match can define careers and national pride.