Suresh Raina Names The Most Prolific Bowler For India Who Played Pivotal Role In 2011 World Cup Victory

India’s middle-order batting maestro, Suresh Raina has revealed the bowler who he felt was the most outstanding campaigner for India in the 2011 World Cup win. The Men in Blue won their second-ever World Cup in the year 2011 when hosts beating Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

This was India’s second ODI world cup win after they won it previously in the year 1983. It was India’s first win in 28 years and eventually became the first team to win a World Cup at the home venue before Australia won the 2015 grand finale at the MCG against New Zealand. On April o2, every year, India celebrates its win anniversary.

This was the 9th year of the celebration and one of the key members of the team, Suresh Raina has gone back in time and revealed some interesting things about the campaign and the final.

Suresh Raina Names The Best Bowler For India In 2011 WC

Raina went on to credit India seamer Zaheer Khan for his tremendous performance in the tournament and leading the bowling attack.

“Whatever decision we were taking, it was all going in our favour. Zaheer bhai led the bowling attack. Everyone was talking about our strong batting line up but I would say he was the Sachin Tendulkar of the bowling department, getting us the breakthrough every time. Then the biggest contribution came from Yuvraj, who took wickets and finished games,” Raina said.

Zaheer finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament along with Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi with both bagging 21 wickets. The left-arm picked up 21 wickets in nine games at an average of 18.76.

Absolute Calmness In The Dressing Room While Chasing A Huge Total In The Final: Raina

Raina further went on to talk about the final against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and said that the dressing room was calm despite India losing early wickets in the 275-run chase.

“Even though Sri Lanka put up a challenging total, everyone was calm in the dressing room. Someone was in the shower, someone was taking ice bath, someone was eating, yet everyone was thinking about the trophy, everyone in their zone and no one was talking to each other,” he said.

Raina added, “There was just one goal and that was to win the trophy. There was pin drop silence when Sachin paaji got out but we remained calm. You should have seen the way Gautam Gambhir (who made 97) entered the field after Sehwag’s dismissal. He was so confident.”

“Seeing his body language, I thought he would win us the World Cup. Dhoni (who made 91) came ahead of an in-form Yuvraj, that was a big call but Dhoni told Gary Kirsten (coach) that he could play Muralitharan well so he went in. I still remember everything so vividly,” he said.

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