Fourteen years ago, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai erupted in unparalleled joy as India clinched the 2011 ODI World Cup, ending a 28-year wait for the coveted title. That night, under the astute leadership of MS Dhoni, a squad of 15 extraordinary cricketers etched their names into history. Today, as leg-spinner Piyush Chawla bids farewell to all forms of the game, Virat Kohli remains the last active link to that unforgettable triumph, a solitary sentinel of a golden era in Indian cricket.
Back in 2011, Kohli was a fiery 22-year-old, a top-order batsman whose grit and passion shone through in crucial matches. His 35-run knock in the final against Sri Lanka, alongside Gautam Gambhir’s resilient 97, paved the way for Dhoni’s iconic six to seal the victory. Now, at 36, Kohli’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From captaining India across formats to amassing over 27,000 international runs and clinching numerous ICC awards, he has evolved into a global cricketing icon. Yet, his presence today carries a deeper significance—a living reminder of April 2, 2011, and the euphoria that gripped a nation.
Chawla’s retirement announcement on social media turned the spotlight back to the legendary 2011 squad, a team brimming with titans like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh. Over the years, one by one, these luminaries have hung up their boots—Tendulkar in 2013, Sehwag in 2015, Yuvraj in 2019, and Dhoni in 2020, to name a few. Chawla, a crafty spinner who played a supporting role in the campaign with his handy wickets, marks the 14th member to retire, leaving Kohli as the sole active player from that historic roster.
As Indian cricket forges ahead with a new generation led by dynamic talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kohli’s enduring presence bridges the past and the future. His performances, including a staggering 765 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup to become the tournament’s highest run-scorer, reflect a relentless hunger that mirrors the spirit of 2011. Beyond statistics, his role transcends into the symbolic—a torchbearer of a legacy that inspired millions.
Reflecting on that magical night at Wankhede, one can still hear the roar of the crowd and see Dhoni’s helicopter shot sailing into the stands. As Kohli continues to don the blue jersey, he carries forward the echoes of that triumph, a poignant reminder of how time moves on, yet some legacies remain eternal. For fans, he is not just the last man standing from the 2011 squad but a symbol of resilience, excellence, and nostalgia in Indian cricket.