The eighth edition of the T20 World Cup is already among one of the better T20 World Cups. Australia being the venue for this tournament, winning the toss no longer becomes a deciding factor. But it wasn’t the case in the earlier World Cups, especially the ones that were held in the subcontinent.
India has little to show in terms of silverware apart from winning the inaugural T20 World Cup. But there have been many fantastic contests that the team has been part of.
We rank five such best Indian T20 World Cup wins:
#5 India vs Australia, 2016
It was a virtual quarter-final when these two sides faced each other at Mohali in 2016. Australia had posted a competitive total batting first. India’s top-order failed to come to the party in the run-chase. It was down to the genius of Virat Kohli to take control of the game.
He combined forces with MS Dhoni, the captain to pull off something special. The duo ran as if their lives were dependent on it. In 2016, Kohli was at the peak of his powers, hence the win though exuberant was still expected!
#4 India vs Bangladesh, 2016
New Zealand stunned India in the opening game of the T20 World Cup in 2016. The fact that India was the host of this World Cup made the loss even more bitter. India had to win all of its remaining league games to move ahead to the next stage. They came up against Bangladesh in Bengaluru. India batting first could just post 146.
The match was well and truly gone with Bangladesh needing just 2 runs off the last 3 balls. It was at this point that Bangladesh hit the self-destruction button. With 2 to defend off the last ball, MS Dhoni hared across to beat the non-striker charging in. The win provided relief rather than joy!
#3 India vs Australia, 2007
Australia was the most dominant white-ball side in the 2000s up until this point. They were the favourites heading into this semifinal. A young Indian team bereft of expectations posted a formidable score of 188. The game was in Australia’s court for a large part of the chase. But brilliant defensive skills in the last few overs saw India overcome the Aussies. This win led to the belief that this tournament might end up with something special.
#2 India vs Pakistan, 2007
It was a final whose script couldn’t have been written any better. The arch-rivals went up against each other in the finals. India had put up 157 on board in the big final. Pakistan appeared to be fighting a losing battle having lost half their side. But Misbah ul Haq kept them in the game. They were just a hit away from winning the trophy. But India kept their calm and won the cliffhanger. World cricket was never the same post India’s historic win.
#1 India vs Pakistan, 2022
India’s inability to win big games in recent times pushed them down in the pecking order. It was Pakistan who had the edge going into this game. They defeated India for the first time in World Cups across formats in the last edition (2021). India inserted Pakistan into bat winning the toss. The decision seemed wrong after India collapsed to 31-4 chasing a score of 160.
Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya stitched a partnership of 113 yet the total seemed beyond India. In a maniac last 8 balls, Kohli managed to pull off something absolutely sensational helping India win off the last ball. This has to rank among India’s finest T20 wins considering the occasion, and the baggage surrounding the side.
