INDIA made Cricket World Cup history here on Saturday when they defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in a record run chase in the final at the Wankhede Stadium, ending a 28-year-old title drought.

Brave knocks by Gautam Gambhir (97) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (91 not out) enabled India to surmount a challenging target of 275 after the innings wobbled at 31-2 following the dismissals of linchpins Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag.

India became the first host country to clinch cricket’s biggest prize in front of a packed house at the refurbished stadium.

Man-of-the-Match Dhoni, appropriately enough, sealed a famous victory when he disdainfully thumped Nuwan Kulasekara over long on for a six. Yuvraj Singh, declared Man of the Tournament, was the other not out batsman on 21 as India romped home with 10 balls to spare in the highest run chase for a final.

India’s second World Cup crown --- the other being achieved way back in 1983 under Kapil Dev --- was set up by Gautam Gambhir and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who shared a fourth-wicket stand of 109 in 118 balls.

Sri Lanka’s second consecutive defeat in a final — Australia beat them in the 2007 event in the West Indies --- also saw the last international appearance of Muttiah Muralitharan, the legendary off-spinner. A World Cup winner in 1996, Muralitharan bowed out with figures of 0-29 in eight overs.

A fiery new-ball burst from Lasith Malinga put India on the back foot at the start of the chase with the prized wickets of Sehwag and Tendulkar. Sehwag went for a second-ball duck after unsuccessfully challenging Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar’s verdict. Aleem, the ICC umpire of the Year for the second year running and recipient of the Pride of Performance this year, had an outstanding World Cup as all his verdicts stood the test of the decision review system.

Tendulkar, unquestionably on his last World Cup appearance if he decides 2015 is too far off, broke many hearts in his home town when he was caught behind by Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara for just 18.

But Gambhir, who slammed nine boundaries during his 122-ball stay at the wicket, and Virat Kohli resurrected the innings in a partnership of 83 off 93 balls. The left-handed Gambhir, however, had a lucky escape on 27 when Kulasekara failed to hold on to a difficult chance at deep mid-on off Thisara Perera.

Kohli executed some exquisite strokes in making 35 from 49 deliveries before he mistimed a drive and saw Tillekeratne Dilshan take a fine return catch.

The Sri Lankan bowlers were guilty of providing the Indian batsmen enough width to manoeuvre the gaps rather too comfortably. Time and again, the ball sped across the lightning fast outfield as both Gambhir and Dhoni found gaps at will.

Dhoni, who promoted himself ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh and saved his best for the final as he hammered 10 fours and a brace of sixes to post his highest score in the mega event, later collected the World Cup trophy from Sharad Pawar, the ICC president.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan innings was dominated by former skipper Mahela Jayawardene, who slammed 103 with the help of 13 boundaries in a magnificent 88-ball knock. Jayawardene’s 14the one-day century was his first in a losing cause.