The 2011 Cricket World Cup victory remains etched in the hearts of Indian cricket fans, not just as a triumph, but as a culmination of dreams and aspirations. India's victory over Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede Stadium ended a 28-year wait for the coveted title. Many memorable performances defined India's journey to the trophy, but a particular strategic decision in the final continues to be discussed and analyzed: MS Dhoni's promotion in the batting order ahead of Yuvraj Singh.

In a recent "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit, Sachin Tendulkar, a pivotal member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, shed light on the rationale behind this move. He revealed that the decision to send Dhoni in at number five, ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh, was a tactical one, devised to disrupt Sri Lanka's bowling strategy.

Tendulkar explained that there were two primary reasons for this decision. First, he wanted to maintain a left-right batting combination at the crease. With Gautam Gambhir, a left-handed batsman, already well-set, Tendulkar believed that a right-handed batsman would be a better match against Sri Lanka's two off-spinners. The legendary batsman felt that this strategy would prevent the Sri Lankan bowlers from settling into a rhythm.

The second reason behind promoting Dhoni was his familiarity with Muttiah Muralitharan, the legendary Sri Lankan off-spinner. Dhoni had the experience of playing Muralitharan for three seasons in the nets while he was with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Tendulkar believed Dhoni's experience in facing Muralitharan would be valuable in countering his threat.

Tendulkar conveyed his strategy to Virender Sehwag, who in turn, passed the message on to Dhoni. The then-Indian captain agreed with the plan and promoted himself up the order. The move proved to be a masterstroke, as Dhoni played a match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls. His partnership of 109 runs with Gautam Gambhir was crucial in India's successful chase of 275. Dhoni was rightfully named the "Man of the Match" for his outstanding performance.

The decision to promote Dhoni ahead of Yuvraj, who had been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, was a bold gamble that paid off handsomely. Yuvraj Singh was the "Man of the Tournament". This strategic masterstroke highlights the importance of adaptability and tactical thinking in crucial match situations.