India’s 2007 and 2024 T20 World Cup Wins Similarities

India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win in Barbados ended an 11-year ICC event drought, echoing their 2007 T20 World Cup triumph. In 2007, a young team led by MS Dhoni defied the odds to win. In 2024, Rohit Sharma, the only player from the 2007 squad still active, captained India to their second T20 title, highlighting striking similarities between the two victories.

In both the 2007 and 2024 T20 World Cup finals, a Delhi-based opener played a pivotal role by scoring over 70 runs. In the 2007 final against Pakistan, Gautam Gambhir scored 75 off 54 balls, helping India post a competitive total of 157-5. Seventeen years later, Virat Kohli, another Delhi-based player, opened the batting for India in the 2024 final. Kohli scored 76 off 59 balls, leading India to a total that proved to be just enough as they clinched victory by seven runs. Remarkably, the last ball of the final in both tournaments was bowled by a right-arm pace-bowling all-rounder – Joginder Sharma in 2007 and Hardik Pandya in 2024.

In both the 2007 and 2024 T20 World Cups, India faced rain-affected matches against associate nations. In 2007, placed in Group D with Pakistan and Scotland, their match against Scotland was washed out, but India advanced after a bowl-out win over Pakistan. In 2024, in Group A with Pakistan, Canada, the USA, and Ireland, their match against Canada was abandoned due to rain. Despite this, India secured wins against Pakistan, the USA, and Ireland, topping their group and advancing to the next stage.

In two separate tournaments, a left-arm fast bowler bearing the surname ‘Singh’ has stood out as India’s premier wicket-taker. Back in 2007, RP Singh spearheaded the Indian bowling attack, securing 12 wickets across six matches with an impressive average of 12.66. Fast forward seventeen years to the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Arshdeep Singh mirrored this achievement. Arshdeep’s tally of 17 wickets in eight matches, coupled with an almost identical average of 12.64, firmly established him as India’s standout bowler throughout the tournament.

In both 2007 and 2024, India included a leg-spinner in their squad who did not get a single game throughout the tournament. In 2007, Piyush Chawla was the leg-spinner who warmed the bench for the entire competition but celebrated with the team as they lifted the trophy. Similarly, in 2024, Yuzvendra Chahal found himself in the same situation. Despite his experience and skill, Chahal did not play any matches in the tournament. Nevertheless, he remained a supportive team member and was there to celebrate India’s victory.

In both editions of the tournament, India opted for a strategic change by sidelining a right-arm fast bowler early on. In 2007, Ajit Agarkar, having claimed just one wicket in three matches, found himself benched following India’s loss to New Zealand in the Super 8s. Joginder Sharma was selected as his replacement in the XI.

Similarly, during the 2024 tournament, Mohammed Siraj faced a comparable situation. Despite playing three group-stage matches, he only managed to secure a single wicket. As the competition transitioned from the USA to the West Indies for the Super 8s, India made a calculated adjustment, preferring the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav over Siraj. This decision was aimed at adapting their bowling strategy to better suit the varied conditions encountered in different venues.

For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!