Gambhir reveals he was not ready to bat after Sehwag was dismissed in the WC final
Gautam Gambhir, who almost carried India to the trophy, has confessed that he had a hard time settling his nerves during the 2011 World Cup final. Virender Sehwag was dismissed in the 1st over and Gambhir was not ready to come out to the crease so early, but the first shot helped him calm down.
Six years ago today, India brought home the World Cup after 28 years by defeating Sri Lanka. Gautam Gambhir had a huge part to play in the victory as his 97 runs off 122 balls got India home in style.
Gautam Gambhir told the Kolkata Knight Riders site that he was not ready to go out so early in the innings and his teammates helped him in settling his nerves.
The Delhi batsman said that making a good start helped him get into the flow which he carried throughout the innings.
"The first ball Lasith Malinga bowled, I hit for a boundary. At such times your nerves get settled as well. Whatever nerve was there, it was due to the fact that it was an international game, not because it was a World Cup final, " Gambhir said.
Gambhir added, "It was not just about one or two individuals, but it was about everyone in the dressing room who believed that we could win the World Cup. There couldn't have been a bigger stage set when you are chasing in the World Cup final that also at home. You never know whether you will get that opportunity ever again. You got to cherish the moment."
Gambhir confessed he wasn't even padded up when Sehwag got out for a duck and the decision was referred which gave him time to get ready.
"The good thing that happened was there was nothing on my mind. If I had to wait for my opportunity, then there would have been a lot of things that would have gone on in my mind since it was a World Cup final and we were chasing 275, " recalled Gambhir who built a 109-partnership with the then captain MS Dhoni.
Piyush Chawla, another member of the Kolkata squad and the World Cup winning Indian team, recalled his moments of the epic night. He said that he slept in a champagne-drenched Indian jersey that had been signed by every team member and with the winning medal.
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