On the ninth anniversary of India’s World Cup triumph in 2011, Suresh Raina recalled the night and aid that it was Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli‘s partnership that changed turned the game around for India. On April 2, 2011, India, chasing 275 to win against Sri Lanka, they lost both their fiery openers, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag at a meager score of 31 runs on the board. But Gambhir and Virat Kohli then steadied the ship before the latter getting out in the 22nd over.

During a recent interview with Sportstar, Raina said, “The turning point was Gautam Gambhir and his rotation of the strike with Virat (Kohli). That set up the tone for us. The only worry about MS was that he had not been performing in the whole World Cup and I knew down the line he will definitely deliver in the final. I think it was a good chase because of the left-right combination. Virat and Gautam also played spin very well, taking a lot of singles.”

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Raina also revealed there were no nerves in the dressing room knowing the team was chasing a stiff target of 276 but also acknowledged that he saw a different type of determination in Gambhir’s eyes when he walked out to bat. He had a close shave first ball when his flick was almost lapped up by a close-in fielder, but Gambhir worked his way through the innings and scored a brilliant 97.

Raina further elaborated, “Gautam went and when he crossed the boundary I saw his face and I thought something big was going to come today. Because he is a fighter. When he went in maybe I was talking to Sreesanth or Piyush. I said he is going to make a big difference today. And then he started playing (Thisara) Perera to midwicket and I think square cut (Nuwan) Kulasekara. The game was on. Gautam was playing like a champion. He was playing singles, doubles, defending and hitting the ball really well.”

Although Raina never got a chance to play the final with MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh getting India over the line, the left hander’s unbeaten 34 off 28 in the quarterfinal against Australia was equally crucial in knocking the then-reigning World Champions back home. India was 187/5 in chase of 261 when Raina and Yuvraj made a strong partnership of 74 runs to take the team into the semifinal.

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Recalling that knock, Raina said, “Viru bhai told me that I think you will be getting a chance and you will be finishing it. I think Sachin was also telling me that Suresh this is your game. And I was already pumped up. Yuvi paa was already there and I told Yuvi paa, “Yuvi paa just keep hanging there.” I hit a six off Brett Lee and Yuvi paa said `don’t play like this Suresh.’ I w alked up to Yuvi paa and said the ball looks so big.I will not do any mistakes. He saw my positive intent and said, Suresh, let’s go. Let’s finish it.”