The India national cricket team won the 2011 Cricket World Cup and its second title defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets on April 2 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India.  The 10^th Cricket World Cup featured 14 teams and became the first where a hosting nation won the final in its own country.  Originally Pakistan was to host the 2011 Cricket World Cup, but due to the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team, the ICC penalized Pakistan and revoked the decision.  India was awarded eight of the Pakistan matches; four went to Sri Lanka and two to Bangladesh.

The home field advantage certainly helped India in the final match.  Wankhede Stadium was filled to capacity and the 33,000 plus screaming fans drowned out Sri Lanka’s call of the opening coin toss.  The coin was flipped again and won by Sri Lanka who elected to bat first.

The tournament does not share in the same hooliganism that occurs during Soccer World Cup matches, but is totally not without incident.  After the West Indies’ team had defeated Bangladesh on March 4^th, the team bus was pelted by Bangladeshi fans on return to the team hotel.  It was reported later that the fans really wanted to stone the Bangladeshi team bus!  38 people were arrested for the incident.

India will take home prize money of 3 million US dollars while Sri Lanka becomes 1.5 million US dollars richer.  Some of the tournament stars include India’s Yuvraj Singh who was voted ‘Man of the Series’, Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan who had the most runs at 500; Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and India’s Zaheer Khan who tied for most wickets at 21.

2011 Cricket World Cup Logo