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Relive the day MS Dhoni-led India lifted the first T20 World Cup trophy in 2007

Akshita Patel

When India won the 2007 T20 World Cup [Source: @RCBTweets/X.com]When India won the 2007 T20 World Cup [Source: @RCBTweets/X.com]

September 24, 2007, will forever be a golden day in the history of Indian cricket. It was the day when the young Indian side under MS Dhoni won the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup by beating Pakistan in a nail-biting final at Johannesburg, South Africa.

The tournament was being considered a test case for a new format of cricket. Most people had doubts about T20s, but India welcomed it with aggressive cricket and young fire.

Under Dhoni’s calm captaincy, the team surprised everyone and went all the way to win the trophy.

India beat Pakistan in a nail-biting final

In the final, India batted first and scored 157/5 in 20 overs. The innings was constructed around a masterful innings by Gautam Gambhir, who made 75 runs in 54 balls.

His knock provided stability to India, while the young Rohit Sharma contributed a blistering 30 not out off mere 16 deliveries, taking India to a fighting score.

Pakistan's run chase, however, was full of twists and turns. Their opener, Imran Nazir, provided them a quick start, but India continued to strike at regular intervals. The game went down to the wire in the last over, with Pakistan requiring 13 runs from 6 balls and only a solitary wicket remaining.

MS Dhoni passed the ball to Joginder Sharma, a fairly inexperienced bowler at the international level. Following a wide and a six by Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan seemed like the favourites.

But then came the moment that changed history. Misbah attempted a scoop shot over short fine leg but mistimed it. The ball went straight into the hands of Sreesanth, and India won the match by 5 runs.

India celebrated its first ICC trophy after decades

The victory was celebrated wildly across India. It was not just a trophy but also the beginning of a new era. The win gave confidence to a fresh group of cricketers, including Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, and Yusuf Pathan, while proving Dhoni’s leadership skills.

It also led to the launch of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, which changed cricket for good.