Whenever any topic is raised about 2007 the eyebrows of the fans light up as they fondly remember the month of September, even more after something unusual happened earlier in that year. The talk is about the 2007 T20 World Cup the first-ever step towards T20 Cricket taking a giant step.
India won the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa starting a new era in Indian Cricket on a positive note.
After the debacle of the ODI World Cup in the very same year the players and the board had to undergo a lot of backlash from the fans as the team exited from the tournament in the first round itself losing to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The T20 World Cup served as a Balm for the fans who were shell-shocked after that horror performance from the side in the ODI World Cup.
But does everyone remember which Indian players participated in the T20 World Cup? What roles did they play? What impact did they create for the team?
The most important thing is where are they now, without much delay let's begin:-
The hero for India in crunch games, Gautam Gambhir is one of the most underrated players in Indian Cricket, playing the finest T20 knocks of all time(75 off 54 balls) in the final against arch-rivals Pakistan, Helping India to score a competitive total of 158 in the 2007 T20 World Cup Final. Cut to 2024 Gautam is the mentor of IPL Side Kolkata Knight Riders, who recently won another IPL Title under Gambhir. Gautam Gambhir is touted to be the next Head Coach for Team India.
MSD aka Thala, Led India to a historic victory in times of uncertainty brewing in Indian Cricket at that time. Many former players like Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid had decided not to play in this new format. MS leading a young brigade in South Africa a place where they haven't achieved much success and managed to win the 2007 T20 World Cup. Cut to 2024, the 2011 World Cup winner has retired from International Cricket, but is still playing the IPL having led CSK to 5 IPL Titles with the most recent run to the title in 2023.
Irfan Pathan was the find of the 2007 T20 World Cup for Team India snaring 10 wickets in 7 games, playing a crucial role in the final against Pakistan scalping 3 important wickets to derail the Pakistani juggernaut. Pathan had his troubles with injuries, he was in and out of the side, he made a comeback in 2012 but wasn't that effective. As of 2024, Pathan is a member of the commentary panel in Star Sports.
Rohit Sharma made his debut during the 2007 T20 World Cup, and after many blips, managed to establish himself as one of the greats of the game. As of 2024, he'll be captaining India in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
Dhoni's go-to man in the World Cup Harbhajan played a prominent role in the triumph in 2007 T20 World Cup scalping 7 wickets and producing match-winning performances against Australia in the Semi-Final, and a Virtual Quarter final against South Africa which they had to win by a certain margin. Post that World Cup form declined for Harbhajan as he played a handful of T20 games post the World Cup. Harbhajan said goodbye to the game in 2022, now he works as a politician and works with the commentary panel of Star Sports.
'Robbie' as fans would call him played a huge role in the group game against Pakistan in 2007 T20 World Cup on a difficult pitch he smashed a crucial Fifty to ensure reach to a respectable total. As of today, Uthappa is a multiple- IPL title winner with Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, he is happily retired and is doing commentary in the IPL.
The miracle man for Team India ' The Sixer King' as he is called by the fans and the Cricket Pandits played one of the most memorable knocks of the tournament smashing 50 in just 12 deliveries still the fastest in T20 World Cup history in 2007. With the ball too Yuvraj Played a crucial role in buying big wickets for India at a low cost. Yuvraj was living the best times of his life until cancer came as an obstacle. The disease ensured Yuvi was never the same player as he was 7 years later in 2014 he was one of the weak links in the Indian T20 Batting Lineup. As of Today Yuvraj has stepped away from the game and is happy enjoying his life with his family.
Joginder Sharma has gone down as a hero, bowling the famous delivery that got Misbah-ul-Haq’s wicket in the final that won India the 2007 T20 World Cup. It was his last delivery ever for India. He played 12 IPL games for Chennai Super Kings and is now serving as a police officer in Haryana.
Sehwag was one of the deadliest openers in the 2007 T20 World Cup who would send the first ball of the game to the ropes, a person who doesn't treat off spinners bowlers, played a massive role in providing the start and setting the tone for the rest of the batters to follow. Sehwag today is a member of the Star Sports and Cricbuzz in commentary.
Sadly for Piyush Chawla, he didn't get to feature in the playing 11 in the 2007 T20 World Cup, he would serve drinks to the playing contingent in the entire tournament. He would play a good role in the 2011 World Cup Which India won at Home. As of today, Chawla was seen playing in the IPL 2024 for Mumbai Indians.
The young Dinesh Karthik was also a part of the squad he played only a handful of games scoring 11, 17, & 0. Dinesh Karthik has had a start-stop India Career, predominantly due to MS Dhoni's presence in the team with the latter also being at the peak of his powers. Karthik Made several comebacks into the side. He along with Rohit Sharma was the only one from the 2007 batch to play in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Karthik as of 2024 Recently played his last IPL Game.
Shantikumaran Sreesanth has been a controversial figure in the Indian Circuit, he bowled a crucial spell in the 2007 T20 World Cup against Australia in the Semi- Final picking out Matthew Hayden who at times looked would take Australia into the Final. Sreesanth had to go through a rough phase as he was banned for match-fixing in the IPL. Sreesanth has retired from the game now, he is often seen doing commentary stints with Star Sports.
Rudra Pratap Singh was the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2007 T20 World Cup. He used to do the most important job for the side that is to get wickets upfront in the Powerplay. Against South Africa, he played a very important role in dismantling the hosts also with the fact that India had to stop South Africa from reaching 112 so that India could make it to the last 4. RP Singh today is seen doing commentary stints with Star Sports Hindi Broadcast.
Yusuf Pathan made his debut on a big occasion the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup against Pakistan, smashing Mohammad Asif for a six Yusuf Opened up his T20 Career. Pathan didn't have much impact after the tournament playing only 22 games. Pathan announced his retirement last year.
Agarkar had a poor 2007 T20 World Cup scalping just a solitary Wicket, after that never played for India again, but he continued to ply his Trade in the IPL, He eventually announced his retirement in 2013. In 2024 Agarkar is the chief selector of the Indian Cricket Team.
News
