The Final World Cup Campaign Of Sachin Tendulkar

The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the final World Cup campaign of Sachin Tendulkar, and it ended with the one prize that had eluded him throughout his extraordinary career: the World Cup trophy. And right now you can also try cricket betting online at 1xBet on big tournaments like the World Cup.

At 37, Tendulkar entered his fifth tournament determined to help India succeed on home soil. After 5 previous World Cups, including a runners-up finish in 2003, the occasion carried enormous personal significance.

Tendulkar began the tournament brilliantly. Against England in Bengaluru, he produced a magnificent 120 from 115 balls, striking 10 fours and five sixes in a thrilling match that ended in a tie. He followed it with another century, 111 against South Africa, although India lost that contest. These were the final two World Cup hundreds of his career and took his record total to six. There is great online cricket betting at 1xBet on all matches of the Indian national side too.

As India moved into the knockout stage, Tendulkar continued to contribute when it mattered most. In the quarter-final against defending champions Australia, he scored 53 as India successfully chased 261, ending Australia's run of 3 consecutive World Cup titles. The semi-final against Pakistan in Mohali then became one of the defining matches of his final campaign. Tendulkar made a patient and crucial 85 from 115 balls, surviving several dropped catches, as India posted 260 for nine and eventually won by 29 runs. He was named Player of the Match.

A spectacular final

The final, played at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on 2 April 2011, represented the culmination of a 22-year international journey. Sri Lanka made 274 for six, with Mahela Jayawardena scoring an unbeaten 103. India's chase began badly when Virender Sehwag and Tendulkar were dismissed early. Tendulkar made only 18, but Gautam Gambhir's 97 and captain MS Dhoni's unbeaten 91 carried India to a six-wicket victory. Dhoni's winning six triggered unforgettable celebrations.

A few numbers of Tendulkar during the tournament include:

• finishing the tournament with 482 runs;

• this gave him an average of 53.55;

• and this left him in second place only to Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Although his final innings was brief, his overall campaign had been outstanding. Most importantly, after years of expectation, he finally became a World Cup champion. As Virat Kohli famously captured the moment, Tendulkar had carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. Now, his teammates could carry him. The 2011 World Cup was therefore not simply Tendulkar's farewell tournament. It was the triumphant final chapter of his World Cup story.