The illustrious night of 2011 when India clinched the World Cup in Mumbai, remains etched in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. A moment that stood out was Virat Kohli shouldering cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar during their victory lap, symbolising a generational handover. It was an emotional juncture, as India's cricketing maestro, Tendulkar, capped off his World Cup saga with the grandest prize in the sport. Kohli's memorable words, "He (Sachin Tendulkar) carried the nation's burden for 21 years, it was time for us to carry it," reflected the deep respect and admiration the younger generation held for the cricketing icon.
Fast forward to the present, 12 years since that monumental victory, and India is once again prepping for a home World Cup. Expectations are sky-high, especially around Virat Kohli, now the centerpiece of the Indian cricketing lineup. Having helmed the senior national team for an impressive four years, Kohli's decision to step down from captaincy in 2021 took many by surprise. Yet, as the star batsman returns to form, anticipation builds around his potential performance in what might be his final World Cup appearance.
The mood, however, is not just about individual brilliance but team spirit and unity. Harbhajan Singh, a pivotal member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, shed light on the dynamics of the current squad. Drawing a distinction between the teams of 2011 and 2023, Singh emphasized the unity of the former, where everyone rallied with a singular goal - winning it for Tendulkar. Singh voiced his concerns about the present team's unity in an interaction with India Today at Conclave Mumbai 2023, stating, “There is a difference between the team of 2011 and the team of 2023. The 2011 team was united; everyone wanted to win it for Tendulkar. I don't know about the team in 2023. I doubt anyone would have earned the kind of respect that Tendulkar did. I am sure all the players now want to win the World Cup for the country but I doubt if any of the players want to win it for a particular player.”
Harbhajan Singh further emphasised the importance of playing for the nation. "You play for India. I have played every match for India, not for any individual. This is a great satisfaction for me. Fans wanted to pray for my success. We all pray for India to win; we never pray for Kohli or Dravid to win; we pray for India to win," he articulated, underscoring the essence of team spirit and national pride in the sport.
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