NEW DELHI: As India lifted their second T20 World Cup trophy after a nail-biting 7-run victory over
South Africa
in this edition’s final on Saturday, it's a fitting moment to reflect on their performances in the tournament over the years.
India has had a rollercoaster journey in the T20 World Cup, marked by early triumphs, intermittent struggles, and a persistent quest for glory, before breaking the decade-long ICC title drought in Barbados.
2007: The Inaugural Triumph
India's T20 World Cup journey began with a bang in 2007 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. The inaugural tournament in South Africa saw a young and dynamic Indian team lift the trophy, defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final. This victory established India as a formidable force in the shortest format of the game.
2009: Early Exit
The 2009 edition in England was disappointing for India. Entering the tournament as defending champions, India failed to progress beyond the Super 8 stage. Losses to West Indies, England, and South Africa ended their campaign prematurely, highlighting the challenges of maintaining success in the T20 format.
2010: Another Super 8 Setback
India's struggles continued in the 2010 T20 World Cup held in the West Indies. Despite strong performances in the group stage, India once again faltered in the Super 8s, losing all three of their matches against Australia, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.
2012: Missed Semifinal Berth
The 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka saw India put up a more competitive show, but it wasn't enough to secure a semifinal spot. Despite winning four out of five matches, a big loss to Australia and the net run rate calculations kept them out of the knockout stage.
2014: Runners-Up Finish
India showed remarkable consistency in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, making it to the final. Led by
Virat Kohli
's stellar performances, India cruised through the group stages and the knockout rounds. However, they fell short in the final against Sri Lanka, finishing as runners-up.
2016: Semifinal Heartbreak at Home
Hosting the T20 World Cup in 2016, India entered as favorites and showcased strong form in the group stage. The campaign included memorable victories, such as Virat Kohli's masterclass against Australia. However, their journey ended in the semifinals with a defeat to the West Indies, who went on to win the tournament.
2021: Group Stage Disappointment
The 2021 T20 World Cup, held in the UAE and Oman, was another setback for India. Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, the team failed to advance past the group stage. Defeats to Pakistan and New Zealand early in the tournament made it difficult for India to recover, resulting in an uncharacteristically early exit.
2022: Semifinal Again
In the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, India showed promise by advancing to the semifinals. Key performances from
Rohit Sharma
, Virat Kohli, and
Suryakumar Yadav
led them to the knockout stage. However, England defeated India in the semifinals, denying them a chance to lift the trophy.
2024: Ended long trophy drought
The 2024 edition has seen a rejuvenated Indian team under the guidance of head coach
Rahul Dravid
. Unbeaten throughout the tournament, India has displayed exceptional skill and determination. They defeated South Africa by 7 runs in the final to end their 11-year ICC title drought and secure their second T20 World Cup trophy.
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