11 Years of India’s World Cup Triumph: 2011 World Cup – Paddy Upton, the former Indian mental conditioning and strategic leadership coach, has revealed that former head coach Gary Kirsten was always very confident about MS Dhoni lifting the ICC World Cup for India. Follow more updates on InsideSport.IN.
April 2nd, 2022 marks the eleventh anniversary of India’s iconic World Cup triumph, where MS Dhoni’s men defeated Sri Lanka at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, to become the champions of the world for the second time in their history.
11 Years of India’s World Cup Triumph: Gary Kirsten was SUPER CONFIDENT MS Dhoni will India the World Cup, reveals Paddy Upton
Dhoni himself played a match-winning knock in that match, as he remained unbeaten on 91 and also hit the winning runs for India – with a magical six. While it is well documented that Dhoni himself wanted to take the onus on himself and bat ahead of Yuvraj Singh, former mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton has revealed that Gary Kirsten, who was India’s head coach during that tournament, was also super confident about Dhoni winning the coveted trophy for India.
11 Years of India’s World Cup Triumph: Gary Kirsten was SUPER CONFIDENT MS Dhoni will India the World Cup, reveals Paddy Upton
On this day in 2011, MS Dhoni smashed a six to seal a six-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the final as India won the 50-over World Cup after 28 years. Which is your favourite moment from the tournament? #WorldCup2011 @msdhoni @BCCI pic.twitter.com/HuOLkfvvL2
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) April 2, 2022
“I remember when Dhoni walked down to bat we were still a long way out from the total, from winning the title. I remember turning to Gary who said – ‘MS is going out there to fetch us the trophy’. Such was Gary’s confidence in MS Dhoni’s ability,” Upton said in a conversation with Times of India.
Elaborating further on Dhoni’s epic decision of promoting himself up the order ahead of Yuvraj Singh, he stated “(It) was that one big moment where he took it upon his shoulders to say that I haven’t done it in this World Cup so far, I am still a man to do that job. So, huge credit, kudos to Dhoni for taking that brave decision, as great leaders do in those key moments. And it was really just a very brief conversation between him and coach Gary Kirsten to recognise that this big moment is the moment for Dhoni.”
11 Years of India’s World Cup Triumph: Gary Kirsten was SUPER CONFIDENT MS Dhoni will India the World Cup, reveals Paddy Upton
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