India’s 2011 ICC World Cup victory can never be forgotten and the images of player celebrations have been etched into fans’ memories. One of the most enduring moments following the win was of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar being lifted on to the shoulders of his teammates and being carried around the stadium, celebrating his first ever World Cup win a long and illustrious career.
The image in fact was so memorable that it was recently voted the Laureus best sporting moment in the last 20 years, winning the maximum number of fan votes.
Tendulkar was presented the award by former Australian skipper Steve Waugh after tennis legend Boris Becker announced the winner at a glittering ceremony.
"It's incredible. The feeling of winning the World Cup was beyond what words can express. How many times you get an event happening where there are no mixed opinions. Very rarely the entire country celebrates," Tendulkar said after receiving the trophy. "And this is a reminder of how powerful a sport is and what magic it does to our lives. Even now when I watch that it has stayed with me."
"It was the proudest moment of my life, holding that trophy which I chased for 22 years but I never lost hope. I was merely lifting that trophy on behalf of my countrymen," he added.
The 46-year-old Tendulkar, the highest run-getter in cricket, also said that holding the Laureus trophy was a great honour.
The cricket legend also shared his memories of meeting South African leader Nelson Mandela at the age of 19 and spoke about the impact Mandela had on him.
"His hardship did not affect his leadership. Out of many messages he left, the most important I felt was that sport has got the power to unite everyone,” said Tendulkar.