2011 World Cup: Dhoni Struck The Winning Shot, But Didn't Gambhir Deserve The Plaudits? | Rewind, Ep 08

In the world of Indian cricket, the fervor of fans was palpable as they chanted 'India Maange CUP,' echoing their longing for victory.  Rajdeep Sardesai and Nikhil Naz rewind the iconic moments of the 2011 world cup, the second time India brought the cup home, after 1983.  What were the intriguing parallels between the 1983 and 2011 cricket World Cups? Sachin Tendulkar, the stalwart of the 1990s team, found himself alone on a challenging path without the likes of Dravids or Laxmans to support him.  In the backdrop of 2011, Rajdeep and Nikhil shed light on the turbulent economic climate, marred by alleged scams during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tenure. This era was tinged with a 'feel bad factor,' reminiscent of the circumstances in 1983 when Punjab was gripped by insurgency and Kashmir faced turmoil. Virender Sehwag's revelation about Dhoni's superstition of consuming only khichdi piqued curiosity.  Also, they recount the subplot of the India-Pakistan match in the World Cup, that was set against the backdrop of the 26/11 attacks. The Indian government's skepticism about Pakistani fans visiting Mohali, a bordering area with Lahore, added an element of uncertainty to the typical subcontinental hospitality. Finally they relive the dramatic finale, where the toss was tossed twice, Sri Lanka faced the finals without key players, and the stadium resounded with 'Vande Mataram' chants, sending shivers down spines.  And why the question still lingers: Was Gautam Gambhir and not Dhoni truly deserving of the 'Man of the Match' title? Listen in to more untold stories. Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh