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On This Day In 2007: MS Dhoni's Inspired Captaincy Made India Inaugural T20 World Cup Champions

MS Dhoni's Indian team after winning 2007 T20 World Cup (Instagram)MS Dhoni's Indian team after winning 2007 T20 World Cup (Instagram)

The World Cup is the biggest event in the world of cricket, and it is a peak achievement for any nation or individual playing the game. Winning the inaugural edition makes it even more special, and India managed to do it back in 2007 on 24 September by winning the first-ever edition of the T20 World Cup. The win came against arch-rivals Pakistan, and it made it an even more special occasion, with the match going right down to the wire.

The final was played at the Bull Ring—Wanderers, Johannesburg, and both India and Pakistan had young teams. India was led by MS Dhoni, while Pakistan was led by Shoaib Malik. India batted first and were without their star batter, Virender Sehwag. Yusuf Pathan opened the innings in his place and started off with a bang, scoring 15 off just 8 balls. However, India soon lost two wickets, as Asif Tanvir removed Yusuf and Uthappa, respectively.

Gautam Gambhir Standing Tall Under Pressure

Yuvraj Singh joined Gautam Gambhir, but struggled with rhythm as Pakistan bowlers kept the scoring rate under check. Gambhir though kept going and played a brilliant knock of 75 off 54 balls under pressure. Young Rohit Sharma too played a handy cameo with 30 off just 16 balls at the backend and India ended with a competitive total of 157 on the board. For Pakistan, Gul was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets in his fours overs while giving away just 28 runs.

In reply, Pakistan lost two early wickets, but Imran Nazir was in a belligerent mood and smashed 33 off just 14 balls before a run-out by Robin Uthappa in the final over of the Powerplay cut short his innings. Pakistan kept losing wickets after his dismissal as Irfan bowled a brilliant spell alongside RP Singh. Both of them picked three wickets apiece, but Misbah was still at the crease for Pakistan and it all came down to Pakistan needing 13 off the final over with one wicket in hand.

MS Dhoni's Final Over Masterstroke

At that point in time, MS Dhoni had the option to go with an experienced spinner, Harbhajan Singh, but he was expensive and Misbah was playing him well. So, MSD went with an inexperienced placer Joginder Sharma and it proved to a masterstroke in the end. The first ball was a wide, then came a dot, and the second legal delivery of the over was tonked down the ground for a six.

The six shifted the momentum back to Pakistan, and with just six needed off four balls, it seemed like Misbah would take his team to a title. However, on the next delivery, he went for scoop shot over fine leg. Joginder cleverly pulled the length back, and Misbah failed to time the ball. It went high in the air, and Sreesanth, at fine leg, managed to grab the most important catch of his life, and a young Indian team under MS Dhoni became World Champions on the glorious evening of 24 September 2007.