Virendra Sehwag reveals it was Sachin Tendulkar’s plan to promote MS Dhoni in 2011 World Cup final

The unforgettable memory of India winning the World Cup in 2011 at the Wankhede Stadium has etched itself in the heart of every Indian cricket fan forever. Having won the T20 World Cup in 2007, the 2011 triumph was the second World Cup under the captaincy of Dhoni that India had lifted. 

Prior to the final, Dhoni had really struggled with the bat with his highest score being 34 that came against Ireland. Hence, when stalwarts like Sehwag and Tendulkar were sent back to the pavilion early for just 31 runs, the side needed someone to hold the mast steady. And after Gautam Gambhir and  Virat Kohli’s 83-run stand came to an end, Dhoni stepping up in place of an in-form Yuvraj Singh was quite a shock for everyone.

But, the rest, as they say, is history. Dhoni played a gritty knock of 79-ball 91 to finish it off, which made the skipper immortal in international cricket. However, contrary to the popular belief that it was Dhoni who had asked for a move up the batting order, Sehwag has revealed that it was Tendulkar who had suggested the move.

“So, that was also suggested by him (Sachin) and this was the first time he directly passed a message to MS, otherwise it always went through Lala (Sehwag himself) and the result is in front of you,” said Sehwag on a chat show ‘What the Duck’.

 “So, finally in between MS Dhoni came in and at that time Virat Kohli and Gautam were batting. So, he told MS, if righty gets out, then go for righty and lefty gets out, go for a lefty. After saying this, he went to the bathroom and then back out. And then Virat Kohli got out and in place of him, MS Dhoni went for the batting, that’s why Yuvraj Singh didn’t play on number 4 despite being in good form,” the former Indian opener further explained.