Suresh Raina credits unsung hero Gautam Gambhir for 2011 World Cup win

Just a few days ago, fans across country celebrated 9 years of India's great triumph in 2011 World Cup final. host nation won world cup after 28 years and etched ir names in history to be first country to win World Cup at home soil. Indian team was led by MS Dhoni, who stood up on occasion, and finished match in style with a maximum - a moment that fans can never forget. 

Gambhir - Unsung Hero

However, Gautam Gambhir who usually opens batting for Team India but came on to bat at number three that night, is often credited as unsung hero. Despite losing bigwigs - Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar - quite early in game, it was Gambhir who steadied India's n sinking ship with his brilliant innings of 97 runs.

READ | Gautam Gambhir-Virat Kohli Partnership Turning Point Of 2011 WC Final: Suresh Raina

His n-teammate, Suresh Raina fondly recollected final night recently and gave Gambhir his long-overdue credit. Speaking to news daily, Raina remembered that re was pin-drop silence when Sachin got out but everyone remained calm. He added that way Gautam Gambhir entered field after Sehwag's dismissal was a clear sight of determination. 'Looking at his body langu, I thought he would win us World Cup,' Raina added. 

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Raina revealed that skipper MS Dhoni came in ahead of in-form Yuvraj Singh because he told Gary Kirsten that he could play Muralitharan well. 

READ | Yuvraj Singh Hails MS Dhoni's 2011 World Cup Final Heroics For This Reason

Suresh Raina also said that turning point was Gautam Gambhir and his continuous rotation of strike with Virat Kohli, which set up tone for chase. Furrmore, he added that both players knew importance of sustaining left-right combination as next in line were Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni and himself. Raina said that only area of concern was MS Dhoni's performance in World Cup so far but he was confident that MS Dhoni would definitely deliver in final.

READ | Yusuf Pathan Expresses Gratitude On Being Part Of India's 2011 World Cup-winning Squad

2011 World Cup final 

Chasing a total of 275 at Wankhede in Mumbai, Indian team lost its heroes pretty soon in second innings. Sachin Tendulkar, who was playing his last World Cup game and explosive opener Virender Sehwag - both were dismissed early by speedster Lasith Malinga, putting India in a tense position. 

Gautam Gambhir n had a short partnership with n young Virat Kohli before latter was dismissed by Dilshan while he was at 35. It was n skipper MS Dhoni, who took onus of taking his team over line in final game. MS Dhoni stitched a century-long stand wit Gautam Gambhir to steady Indian innings. Dhoni played a wonderful innings of 91 runs while Gambhir scored 97.