Before the final, there were three contenders running for the Player of the Tournament. Yuvraj Singh emerged winner by a yard after helping India to lift the trophy and become the first host to win at home.
Afridi: Best Bowler of the Tournament
Dilshan: Best Batsman of the Tournament
WC 2011: The Old Foxes Rule Over the Young Turks In Fielding
The front-runners before the Final
Yuvraj, Dilshan and Sangakkara were involved in the close contest for player of the series award of World Cup 2011 where many players provided exceptional performances. Many played individual innings of a match, but could not carry it forward to other matches. Ryan ten Doeschate of Netherlands and KJ ‘O Brien of Ireland provided the best entertainment for one ore two matches. The three front-runners carried their good form almost through out the long tournament that involed 9 matches for the finalists.
The Front-runners in the Final
Dilshan, Sangakkara and Yuvraj contributed even in the final match. Sangakkara made valuable 48 runs and took a catch. Dilshan scored 33 runs and took a wicket with a splendid catch when Indians were runnign away with the match. Yuvraj took 2 wickets and scored unbeaten 21 to see the Man of the Match Dhoni hitting the winning six.
Overall Performances of Front Runners
Dilshan remained the only batsmen to touch 500 mark in batting, and became the best batsman of the tournament. He scored two centuries, 2 half-centuries and hit 4 sixes. 144 was his best of the tournament. His Compared to Yuvraj he could just take 8 wickets, with 4 wickets for 4 runs as his best performance. He also shared second spot with two others as best fielder with 6 catches. He received two player of the match awards.
Sangakkara scored 465 runs and became the third best batsmen of the tournament.His score in 8 innings included 1 century (111) and 3 half-centuries with 5 sixes. He also had maximum dismissasls of the tournament against his name with 14 dismissals (10 catches and 4 stumpings). He received two Man of the Match awards.
Yuvraj on the other hand did not top any list. Yet his record allround performances won him the best player of the tournament award. In batting, he finished at 8th place with 362 runs from 8 innings. That included 1 century and 4 half-centuries. His scores included only 3 sixes. In bowling with 15 wickets, he shared the third best bowler position with Peterson of South Africa and Muralitharan of Sri Lanka. He also took 3 catches, besides effecting few run-outs. He was awarded 4 man of the matches.
Yuvraj Created Two WC Records
He created two World Cup records. He became the first-ever player in the history of World Cup to receive 4 Man of the match awards during a single edition. He also became the first player to take 5 wickets and score a half-century in the same match.
With the adrenaline flowing high, and the expectations of billions crossing the peak the flambuoyant Yuvraj has evolved himself into a regular match-winner now. He wanted to win not because of any girl-friends or family members, but for the biggest Cricketer of India and greatest batsman of the World – Sachin Tendulkar. After waiting for the big moment for many years, when the winner came, it was apt that the iron men of India hugged each other and wept.
Ponting’s view on Yuvraj after their Quarter-final loss against India sums up the Yuvi show. The greatest captain of the World in terms of achievements and records, Ponting went on to say that the talent of Yuvraj was always for all to see. But, his innigns show a specific determination.
Well said Ponting. The determined Yuvi has got what he wanted for India, for himself and for his mentor Sachin Tendulkar.
Afridi: Best Bowler of the Tournament
Dilshan: Best Batsman of the Tournament
WC 2011: The Old Foxes Rule Over the Young Turks In Fielding
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