Top 3 spells by an Indian bowler in Men's T20 World Cup knockouts ft. Irfan Pathan

India will take on England in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal on Thursday, June 27. This will be a rematch of their 2022 semifinal in Adelaide, which Jos Buttler's team won by 10 wickets.

However, India come into this match far better prepared. They have far more firepower in their batting order and have as many as seven bowling options, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge.

However, England will be tough, considering the form of Jos Buttler and his opening partner Phil Salt. Should England defeat India, they will be just one match short of becoming the first men's team to retain the T20 World Cup.

India, on the other hand, will be looking to do far better in an ICC knockout event and possibly even lift the trophy after their win in 2007. The side has not lifted any ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy and this could be their shot.

Here we take a look at top 3 spells by an Indian bowler in Men's T20 World Cup knockouts

#3 RP Singh

RP Singh was in sensational form in the 2007 T20 World Cup

RP Singh was one of the standout bowlers for India in the 2007 World T20 played in South Africa. The left-arm pacer finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition, taking 12 wickets in seven matches at an average of 12.66 runs per wicket.

He played a massive role in India eliminating South Africa with figures of 4-13 in four overs. He was on song in the final against Pakistan when he got rid of Mohammad Hafeez in the first over before sending back Kamran Akmal with a sharp inswinger. He returned in the final few overs and dismantled Umar Gul’s stumps to give India the advantage. Singh ended with figures of 3 for 26 in his spell of four overs.

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#2 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin bowled a magical spell against South Africa in the 2014 T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli was in imperious run-scoring form for India in the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh, but R Ashwin too had a big impact with the ball on helpful pitches. He came into this semi-final clash in form after dismantling Australia in one of the league games and spun a web around the Proteas.

MS Dhoni was always keen to use Ashwin in the powerplay overs and the off-spinner bowled the perfect ‘doosra’ that would have made Shane Warne beam with pride. Bowling from around the wicket, he landed the ball on the leg stump, as it turned past Hashim Amla to crash into the off and middle stump.

He then came back and took care of Faf du Plessis who looked at ease against the India bowlers. Du Plessis made room and tried to heave the ball away, but it was once again a carrom ball that went on to the stumps after deflecting from the body.

Ashwin then put South Africa on the mat with the wicket of Ab de Villiers, who rocked back and tried to pull a short delivery over square leg but mistimed it to offer a catch to Rohit Sharma at fine leg.

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#1 Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan was the Player of the Match in the 2007 T20 World Cup final

That famous India vs Pakistan final at the Wanderers in 2007. MS Dhoni won the toss and batted first, as Gautam Gambhir led India’s charge with a brilliant 75 off 54 balls. India ended with 157 runs - a par total on a good batting track.

However, RP Singh put India in the driver’s seat with wickets in the first six overs before Irfan Pathan stepped in with his plethora of variations. Pakistan slipped to 65-4 in the ninth over and further down in the dumps at 104-7 in the 16th over. Pathan sliced through the middle order with wickets of Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi on consecutive deliveries to pull the rug from under Pakistan.

He ended his spell with the wicket of Yasir Arafat and bagged the Player of the Match award for his figures of 3-16 in four overs. India won the T20 World Cup final by five runs.