A number of Indian cricketers of the bygone era have spoken about how watching Kapil Dev lift the 1983 World Cup from the Lords Cricket Ground’s balcony inspired them to pick up the sport. It will not be surprising if MS Dhoni’s side lifting the World Cup on home soil in 2011 had the same impact on the current generation of players. 

Indian opener KL Rahul spoke about how the 2011 World Cup changed his outlook towards the sport. Rahul revealed that watching the Men in Blue’s triumph in Mumbai made him ambitious to be part of a similar effort. 

Talking to the International Cricket Council, he said, “Growing up, I watched the 2011 World Cup at home, that’s when we won the World Cup and things changed for me.”

“From that day on, I was like, this is what I want to do. I want to win a World Cup for my country, win one or two or three and be part of the world cup and create history,” added Rahul. 

The 2011 World cup was the first time India won the mega-event after 1983. The MS Dhoni-led Indian side defeated Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in the summit encounter to seal the historic victory. 

Apart from two Cricket World Cup victories, the Men in Blue have also won the T20 World Cup on one occasion. Their sole triumph in the competition came in its inaugural edition in 2007. 

Rahul is currently part of the Indian side taking part in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. After twin failures against Pakistan and New Zealand, Rahul struck a brilliant half-century against Afghanistan as part of a record 140-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma to inspire India to a 66-run win.

India will face Scotland on Friday in a must-win clash in Dubai before ending their Super 12 campaign against Namibia on Monday at the same venue.