"He decided to do it in style", Gavaskar recalls Dhoni's 2011 World Cup final six 

Sunil Gavaskar also reminisced his conversation with MS Dhoni just a few days after he lifted the Wold Cup trophy.

Dhoni's unforgettable hit ended India's wait for World Cup glory | Getty

Having taken India on the brink of victory against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final, Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed pacer Nuwan Kulasekara for a six through the long-on region and finished it off in style, ending India's 28-year-long wait to lift the coveted trophy. 

Recalling that game as Dhoni announced retirement on the Independence Day after having a decorated international career as wicketkeeper batsman and captain for his country, another great of Indian cricket, Sunil Gavaskar, said it was the kind of moment that will remain etched in memories forever. 

Read Also: Tributes pour in from Indian cricketers as MS Dhoni bids farewell to international cricket

"Amazing for the simple reason that India needed 4 runs to win the trophy and the man decided to do it in style. And the way he connected, after he connected, the camera from square leg caught the twirl of the bat which was an absolute delight," Gavaskar told India Today on Dhoni, whose 79-ball 91 not out helped India successfully chase down the 275-run target on the biggest night. 

"It was so nonchalant. It felt like he was saying 'this was the way I was going to win the World Cup for India, That made it all the more romantic."

"Generally, if you look at wins, there has got to be a little romance involved and I think that particular way he finished it made it even more romantic, even more, memorable to all those watching on television and all those who were watching from the ground. It was a moment to savour, it was an unforgettable moment," he added. 

In a meeting he had with Dhoni just a few days after the final in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, Gavaskar said he told him that this was the shot which he would like to watch before he says goodbye to the world. 

"A few days later, the IPL started. CSK were playing their first game. I was at the ground and I met MSD and I remember saying to him that look 'if I know that in this world, I have got a few couple of minutes left, then I would ask somebody to put that shot on, then I would love to see that shot and then say goodbye to this world. I would go with a smile on my face.'"

"That's exactly what I said to MSD and MSD of course was very modest about. He just smiled and didn't say anything. That's what I genuinely feel," Gavaskar added. 

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 16 Aug, 2020

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