India At T20 World Cup: Records And Tributes

In the year 2007, which was the first ever edition of a proper ICC Men’s World T20, the world saw a youthful Indian cricket side set off on a historic tour to South Africa for the maiden edition of the famed cup. What followed became a defining chapter in Indian cricket folklore. On September 24, 2007, India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in a nerve-wracking final at Johannesburg’s Bullring. Ravi Shastri’s unforgettable commentary — “In the air, Sreesanth takes it, India win, unbelievable scenes at the Bullring” — remains etched in the hearts of Indian fans. Seventeen years on from that landmark triumph, India now chase their second T20 World Cup crown.

As anticipation builds for the 2024 spectacle in the USA and the Caribbean, let’s rewind the clock and revisit some of the most iconic moments for fans of the Men in Blue:

6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 | Yuvi, Yuvi, Yuvi, Yuvi, Yuvi, Yuvi, and magic!
The T20 World Cups have witnessed countless breathtaking individual performances, but few match the magic of Yuvraj Singh in 2007. His stunning assault on England — smashing six sixes in a single over off Stuart Broad — remains one of the greatest moments in T20 cricket history. Yuvraj also recorded the fastest fifty in T20Is at the time, reaching the milestone in just 12 deliveries. The fiery exchange with Andrew Flintoff, followed by a pumped-up Yuvi unleashing six consecutive blows, made it unforgettable.

Raina storms into the record books
During the 2010 T20 World Cup in the West Indies, Suresh Raina became the first Indian to score a T20I century. His explosive 101 off 60 balls against South Africa in the group stage was a display of fearless stroke play and proved decisive in India’s 14-run victory. The innings underlined Raina’s value as a dynamic match-winner in India’s T20 lineup.

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Leading run-scorer | Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli stands tall as India’s highest run-getter in T20 World Cups, amassing 1,141 runs across 27 matches. Renowned for his composure under pressure, Kohli’s unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the 2022 edition is among his finest knocks, steering India to an astonishing win from a near-lost position. His match-winning 82 against Australia in the 2016 tournament further cemented his big-game credentials, propelling India into the semi-finals.

Leading wicket-taker | R Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin tops India’s wicket-taking charts in T20 World Cups with 32 wickets in 24 matches, having featured in four editions. Boasting an impressive economy rate of 6.49 and an average of 17.25, Ashwin has consistently delivered in the shortest format. His best performance came in 2014 against Australia, when he claimed 4 for 11, helping bowl the Aussies out for just 86.

Most catches | Rohit Sharma
Beyond his batting brilliance, Rohit Sharma has been a constant presence in India’s T20 World Cup journey since the inaugural edition. The Hitman holds the record for the most catches by an Indian in the tournament’s history, with 16 grabs in 39 matches — a testament to his safe hands, sharp reflexes, and all-round contribution in the field.