Former India opener Virender Sehwag recalled that each and every member of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad, including their captain MS Dhoni, had his own superstition. The World Cup winner revealed on Tuesday, June 27 that MS Dhoni followed a unique diet during India’s campaign at the home World Cup.
MS Dhoni had only khichdi, a dish made of rice and lentils, throughout India’s World Cup campaign, saying it was working in favour of the host nation, Sehwag recalled during an interaction with Muttiah Muralitharan for the International Cricket Council on June 27.
Dhoni was going through a lean patch during the 2011 World Cup as he had headed into the final with just 150 runs under his belt in 8 matches. However, the World Cup-winning captain stepped up and delivered in the final. He promoted himself to No. 4 ahead of Yuvraj Singh, who was in imperious form, and hit an unbeaten 91, including the famous winning six, against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
“Everyone was having some or the other superstition, and everyone was following theirs. MS Dhoni had a superstition of having ‘khichdi’ all through the World Cup,” Sehwag told Star Sports.
“He used to say that even if I’m not scoring runs but this superstition is working, and we’re winning matches,” he added.
Sehwag was an integral member of the 2011 World Cup, scoring 380 runs, including a century. However, in the final, Sehwag got out for a duck when India were chasing a stiff target of 275.
Sehwag was in Mumbai on Tuesday when the ICC announced the 2023 World Cup schedule. India are set to open their campaign at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai against Australia, 3 days after the opening match between England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad will also host the marquee India vs Pakistan match on October 15 and the big final on November 19.
