I Suggested MS Dhoni To Be Promoted During 2011 World Cup Final: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian great recently revealed that it was he who had suggested MS Dhoni about promoting himself up the order, in the final of ICC 2011 World Cup. Yuvraj Singh was in great form in the tournament, but Dhoni took the responsibility on his shoulders and won the game for his team.

Now, nine years after the stunning victory over Sri Lanka, Sachin in an interview with Times of India, alongside his batting partner Virender Sehwag revealed how Dhoni’s decision to walk out and bat after Virat Kohli was dismissed, came to be.

Sachin Tendulkar opens up on his advice to MS Dhoni for the 2011 World Cup final:

“Gautam (Gambhir) was batting brilliantly and someone like Dhoni could’ve kept rotating the strike,” Sachin told TOI in a recent interaction. 

He continued, “So I told Viru, ‘tu overs ke beech mein sirf ye baat bahar jaake MS ko bol aur next over shuru hone se pehle waapis aaja. Main yahan se nahi hilne wala (Just go out into the balcony between the overs only to say this much to MS and come back fast before the next over begins. I’m not moving from here).”

India lost their openers early, as Sachin could score just 18 runs in the final, while Sehwag was dismissed for a duck, so the onus fell on Gautam and Kohli to steady the ship. The former scored a brilliant 97 run knock, as he was joined by Dhoni after Kohli was sent packing.

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Sachin Tendulkar lavished praise on MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir:

Sehwag revealed that just as they were planning of sending Dhoni early, he walked into the room and joined the conversation.

“I asked MS to consider this strategy,” added Sachin. “He then went to (coach) Gary (Kirsten), who was sitting outside. Then Gary came in and all four of us got talking about it. Gary too agreed it was the right thing to do, given the attack on hand. MS also agreed and promoted himself up the order.” 

The veteran also lauded Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir for their exemplary knocks at such a big stage.

“Gautam’s knock was exemplary. It put the chase in perspective and set the platform. And the way MS finished it was brilliant. It was an imperious knock. That six was the icing on the cake,” he said. 

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