Gautam Gambhir, who was in India’s World Cup-winning squad, on April 2 revealed that it was in 1992 that he had decided to win India the cricket World Cup. Gambhir, former India opener, had played a pivotal role in making a strong platform for his side in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede.

Talking to news agency ANI, Gambhir recalled his first memory of India playing the 1992 World Cup.

“I was born in 1981 and my first big memory of the World Cup was 1992. It was the first World Cup in coloured clothing and with the white ball. India crashed out of that tournament and I cried buckets when the campaign ended,” Gambhir told ANI.

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“My cousins and some friends made fun of me which as a kid hurt me badly. That is when I decided that I will win the World Cup for India one day,” the left-handed batsman said.

However, it was not until 2011 that Gambhir had gotten a chance to play for the Men in Blue in the biggest cricketing carnival. And when he got the chance, he grabbed it with both hands.

“Till 2011, I had not played a 50-over World Cup and sometimes I felt that I may not be able to realise my dream. But then God has ways of presenting opportunities. I am glad that April 2, 2011 happened in our lives as on that day every Indian won the World Cup,” he said.

In the 2011 World Cup final, Gambhir’s 97-run knock and a crucial 109-run partnership with captain MS Dhoni (unbeaten on 91) saw India chase down Sri Lanka’s total after losing Virender Sehwag (0) and Sachin Tendulkar (18) early.

India won its first World Cup under Kapil Dev’s leadership in 1983. In the World Cup, India had lost only one match and had defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final to set up a blockbuster finale with Sri Lanka.

And the rest is history.