On This Day In 2011: Yuvraj Singh’s Heroics Lead India To ODI World Cup Victory Over Australia
On this day in 2011, India, led by MS Dhoni, defeated Australia in the World Cup quarter-final at Motera. Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar starred. India won the tournament.
On This Day In 2011: Team India, captained by MS Dhoni, emerged as a dominant force in the 2011 ODI World Cup. With the tournament being played on their home soil, the Men in Blue were desperate to end their 28-year-long wait for an ICC trophy.
After a Kapil Dev-led side won their first World Cup in 1983, India suffered several heartbreaks in major international events. They were desperate to break the curse in 2011 with a team featuring some legendary names like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh.
related stories
India was not much troubled in the group stage but had to overcome the mighty Australia in the quarter-final. On this day in 2011, more than 50,000 fans flocked into the Narendra Modi Stadium (then Sardar Patel Stadium) in Motera, Ahmedabad, to witness the historic rivalry.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE
🏆🏆🏆✖️India ended Australia’s run of World Cup wins in the quarter-finals of the 2011 edition.
Check out the highlights 🎥#CWC11Rewind
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 24, 2021
With Ricky Ponting in charge, Australia, the champions of both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, endured just one defeat in the league phase and were keen to continue the momentum in knockouts. Winning the toss, Ponting chose to bat first and stepped up on the big day when some of his star batters flopped.
The Aussie captain smashed an inning-defining 104, helping his team set a fightable target of 261. Despite losing his partner Shane Watson early, opener Brad Haddin scored a crucial 53 while David Hussy contributed 38 runs down the order. Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Ravichandran Ashwin each picked two wickets for India.
Yuvraj Singh ending Australia’s reign in 2011 progresses to the next round of the @bira91 @cricketworldcup Greatest Moments competition! pic.twitter.com/UuVp4qPTFc— ICC (@ICC) April 14, 2019
India didn’t have the best start, with Sehwag managing only 15 runs before returning in the last over of the powerplay. Tendulkar went on to score 53 off 68 balls while Gambhir also registered a brilliant fifty.
India might have felt the pressure after the quick dismissal of Dhoni following a 24-run cameo by a young Virat Kohli.
But, Yuvraj had held the wicket at one end. After a brilliant bowling show in the first innings, the left-handed all-rounder scored an unbeaten 57, hitting eight boundaries. He was supported by Suresh Raina who smashed two fours and one six to register 34 off 28 balls.
⭐ 57* runs⭐ 65 balls⭐ 8 fours#OnThisDay in 2011, a ferocious Yuvraj Singh took India to a five-wicket win against Australia in the @cricketworldcup quarter-final!This was their first #CWC win over Australia in 24 years 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7Qejhqr5fM
— ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2020
The duo sealed the deal in the 48th over, with India ensuring their qualification to the semi-finals. The hosts crushed Pakistan in their next knockout clash before defeating Sri Lanka in the finale.
- Location :
- First Published: