Eight iconic images that defined cricket in India

#6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni holding the T20 World Cup trophy in 2007

Dhoni holds the trophy with pride

It was the starting of the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-era in Indian cricket and was the first of the many big tournaments that India won under Dhoni. After senior players had opted out of the 2007 T20 World Cup, Dhoni had a young side at his disposal. Much like in the 1983 World Cup, the Indians were not the favourites to win the tournament.

But Dhoni marshalled his resources well and scripted a famous Indian victory. His key soldier in this campaign was Yuvraj Singh. Be it his six sixes against England or his 70 off 30 balls against Australia in the semi-finals, Yuvraj was always there whenever India needed him.

He was ably supported by Gautam Gambhir, who was the second highest run-scorer in the tournament (he scored 227 runs only behind Australia’s Matthew Hayden). With a score of 75, Gambhir was also India’s highest scorer in the final against arch-rivals Pakistan.

The finals itself was nothing short of a Bollywood blockbuster. India had managed to score only 157 runs in their quota of 20 overs. But it seemed that they had the match in their hands when Pakistan lost their sixth wicket for just 77. However, Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq had other plans. With some help from the tail-enders, he got his team within 13 runs of the target with one wicket in hand and an over to go.

Captain Dhoni chose Joginder Sharma for the final over instead of the experienced Harbhajan Singh. Soon, Joginder was hit for a six and Pakistan looked all set to defeat India for the first time in a World Cup encounter. But then Misbah did the unthinkable, he tried a scoop shot and was out caught by S Sreesanth.

Thus, India kept their World Cup record against Pakistan intact and a long-haired Dhoni lifted the inaugural T20 World Cup trophy.