Sachin Tendulkar Wins Laureus Sporting Moment Award For 2011 World Cup Triumph

Sachin Tendulkar being lifted on the shoulders of his teammates after India’s World Cup triumph at home in 2011 has been voted the Laureus best sporting moment in the last 20 years. The legendary batsman received the maximum number of votes as he emerged the winner on Monday.

The most decorated batsman in the history of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar finally laid his hands on the World Cup trophy in 2011 in what was his sixth attempt. The former India batsman played his first World Cup in 1992 and failed to win it in the first five attempts before playing an integral role in the triumph in 2011.

As soon as MS Dhoni smashed Nuwan Kulasekara for a massive six over long-on to seal the game, the elated Indian cricketers rushed to the ground to celebrate the historic win. And just after a few minutes, the players lifted Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders and gave him a lap of honour, a moment etched in the minds of the fans.

Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh handed the trophy to Tendulkar after tennis legend Bros Becker announced the winner at a glittering ceremony.

“It’s incredible. The feeling of winning the world cup was beyond what words can express. How many times you get an event happening where there are no mixed opinions. Very rarely the entire country celebrates,” Sachin Tendulkar said after receiving the trophy.

“And this is a reminder of how powerful a sport is and what magic it does to our lives. Even now when I watch that it has stayed with me,” he added.

Becker then asked Tendulkar to share the emotions he felt after finally winning the World Cup. In reply, the batting maestro said:

“My journey started in 1983 when I was 10 years old. India had won the World Cup. I did not understand the significance and just because everybody was celebrating, I also joined the party.

“But somewhere I knew something special has happened to the country and I wanted to experience it one day and that’s how my journey began.

“It was the proudest moment of my life, holding that trophy which I chased for 22 years but I never lost hope. I was merely lifting that trophy on behalf of my countrymen,” he added.

Here is a clip when Sachin Tendulkar won the prestigious award:

"This is a reminder of how powerful sport is and what magic it does to all of our lives."

A God for a nation. An inspiration worldwide.

And an incredible speech from the Laureus Sporting Moment 2000 – 2020 winner, the great @sachin_rt ??#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/dLrLA1GYQS

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020