Why Zaheer Khan's 2011 World Cup Final Spell Photo Goes Viral Every April 2

It was Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s winning six off Nuwan Kulasekara in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium that is etched in the memories of the cricket-loving nation. Dhoni, as Ravi Shastri aptly said behind the microphone, did finish it off in style. It was the captain’s winning six that saw the Men in Blue lift an ODI World Cup trophy after a long, long wait of 28 years. Skipper Dhoni remained unbeaten on 91 and took home the Man of the Match award. Gautam Gambhir’s contribution of 97, which he scored after both openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were sent packing early by Lasith Malinga, is widely acknowledged as an equally important knock during India’s run chase, if not more so than Dhoni’s.

In fact, Gambhir has publicly voiced his

annoyance at fans remembering solely Dhoni and his sensational winning six whenever the Men’s 2011 World Cup triumph is discussed.

Voicing his displeasure during the 10th anniversary of India’s conquest, Gambhir ruffled some feathers. “Do you think that only one individual won us the World Cup? If one individual could have won the World Cup, then India could have won all the World Cups till now. Unfortunately, in India, it’s only about worshipping certain individuals. I’ve never believed in that. In a team sport, individuals have no place,” said Gambhir to TOI. The former southpaw also spoke of Zaheer Khan’s spell in the final battle against Sri Lanka on April 2.

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Zaheer Khan And 5-3-6-1

It has become a second nature among fans to remember Dhoni’s towering six fondly. It’s the first sight that perhaps comes to everyone’s mind while reminiscing about India’s second ODI World Cup victory. Yet, cricket fans in India have made it a quiet but yearly tradition to share the screengrab of left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan taking a breather after delivering an exceptional five-over spell with astonishing figures of 5-3-6-1. It was Khan who kept Sri Lankan batters quiet as the guests could only manage 31 runs in their first 10 overs.

(X Screengrab / BCCI)

Dream Opening Spell

Zaheer Khan sent down his first three overs as maidens and scalped the wicket of Upul Tharanga. In fact, he conceded his first runs with the 20th delivery of the final. At the end of the over, Khan finished with a mind-numbing 4-3-2-1.

From 5-3-6-1 to 10-3-60-2

After delivering five exceptional overs, Khan kept the opposition restrained with his two-over spell when he brought up his second and final wicket of the day, picking Chamara Kapugedera in the 40th over.

His bowling figures after delivering 7 overs read: 7-3-15-2.

However, Sri Lankan batters, led by a sublime Mahela Jayawardene, pressed the gas pedal and propelled their score to a formidable 274 for 6 in 50 overs. Even Khan wasn’t spared in the last onslaught as he leaked as many as 45 runs in his final three overs. His eighth over was the first of the Lankan batting powerplay and went for 10 runs.

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Bowling the 48th over, Nuwan Kulasekara welcomed the Indian pacer with a six, who then took a single and brought Jayawardene on strike. The batter, who was captain of the losing Lankan side in the 2007 World Cup final, looked like a man on a mission as he hit two back-to-back fours to bring up a handsome hundred of just 84 balls.

Khan’s dream spell received a further dent when he delivered the 50th over of the Lankan innings as he was smashed for two fours and a six off his final delivery.

Zaheer Khan’s Impact in 2011 World Cup

Khan’s magical spell may have taken a late hit, but he, along with Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, emerged as the joint highest wicket-taker in the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

The Indian pacer appeared in 9 innings:

10-0-40-2
10-0-64-3
9-1-30-3
6.4-0-20-3
10-0-43-1
6-0-26-3

Quarter-Final vs Australia: 10-0-53-2
Semi-Final vs Pakistan: 9.5-0-58-2
Final vs Sri Lanka: 10-3-60-2