Where Are India's 2007 T20 Stars Now?
Sep 24, 2014, 17:27 IST
The Indian team led by MS Dhoni to contest the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 went from being rank outsiders - the oldest player of that squad was Ajit Agarkar at 29 and there were nine under the age of 25 - but ended up winning the trophy to change the landscape of world cricket.
On the seventh anniversary of India's glorious five-run win, gocricket.com casts an eye on the XI that took the field on that memorable day of September 24, 2007, when they beat Pakistan in Johannesburg to lift the trophy, and how their international careers panned out since.
Gautam Gambhir
The left-hand top-order batsman from Delhi used the 2007 World Twenty20 to pitchfork himself back into Test plans, scoring 227 runs in the tournament with a best of 75 in the final. His first Test since December 2005 came a few months after the World Twenty20, and by mid-2008 Gambhir was chosen as opening partner to Virender Sehwag. Gambhir’s Test and ODI careers were successful until early 2013, when he was axed from all formats following a prolonged slump. He last played an ODI in January 27 and was handed a Test recall this summer in England, but 25 runs in four innings could have closed the curtains on his career.
Yusuf Pathan
The older Pathan brother was handed a debut in the 2007 World Twenty20 final, as opener alongside Gambhir, and was a common feature in India's ODI and T20 teams until early 2012. He enjoyed much success with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and has won two titles with Kolkata Knight Riders. Yusuf, 31, played 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is for India.
Robin Uthappa
Uthappa had an amazing run in the 2014 IPL, scoring 660 runs, which was the most runs scored by an Indian batsman in a single edition of the tournament. That earned him a recall to India's ODI squad after six years, but an average tour of Bangladesh has again sidelined him, though he did lead India A in Australia this summer. On the domestic front, Uthappa had a strong 2013-14 season, scoring 374 runs in five Ranji Trophy games for Karnataka and 538 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Yuvraj Singh
Dropped from the ODI team after a poor tour of South Africa in December, Yuvraj last played for India in the ICC World Twenty20 in April, where he managed just one half-century in five innings and was widely criticised for his go-slow innings in the final against Sri Lanka. A decent IPL followed for Royal Challengers Bangalore (376 runs, five wickets) but it wasn't enough to earn Yuvraj a place in India's ODI squad for Bangladesh or India. Have we seen the last of the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup?
MS Dhoni
Undoubtedly the biggest gainer from 2007. Given the captaincy of the T20 side without any domestic leadership experience, Dhoni led the side to glory and the rest, as they say, is history. He has since captained India to the 50-over World Cup and No 1 in Tests, apart from enhancing his reputation as arguably the best limited-overs finishers. Dhoni's success with IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings - they have won two IPL titles as well as the Champions League Twenty20 - has helped him become the richest cricketer around.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit made his T20I debut at the age of 20 during the 2007 tournament, after getting an ODI call a couple months earlier, but the talent shown at a young age has not fully been realised. He has been in and out of all three formats for India, despite becoming the third batsman to score an ODI double-century. Rohit, now 27, still has time on his side to prove that he belongs at Test level. Looks a certainty to tour Australia and New Zealand, injury aside, for next year's World Cup.
Irfan Pathan
With Yuvraj, probably the second-most naturally talented Indian cricketer of the last decade. But like Rohit, the allrounder from Baroda has not lived up to the huge expectations. Irfan was Man of the Match in the 2007 World Twenty20 final but has since played only 16 T20Is, the last of which came in October 2012. With his pace dropping and a series of injuries taking their toll, Irfan has been relegated to domestic cricket and the IPL, but recently stated that he'll be back in India blue.
Harbhajan Singh
India's No 1 spinner in 2007 (he took seven wickets at the tournament), Harbhajan is today looking for way back into India's plans. The veteran offspinner, who has 413 wickets from 101 Tests, is currently out of the Indian squad. The 33-year-old last represented India in a Test match a year ago, while in ODIs his last match was in July 2011. His last T20I was in September 2012.
Joginder Sharma
Who can forget Joginder for his last over against Pakistan in the final? Two evenings after he was given the final over and dismissed Michael Hussey and Brett Lee to clinch India passage into the final of the World Twenty20, Joginder was again entrusted with the last six balls with Pakistan needing 13 runs to win. A wide and a six later, Joginder created history. Cruelly, that was the last time Joginder represented India. He has since plied his trade for Haryana, successfully overcoming a life-threatening injury to make a return for his state.
S Sreesanth
A sad tale of a real talent gone astray. The Kerala fast bowler, who bowled some telling spells in South Africa, was handed a life ban by the BCCI last year for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing during the IPL, though he insists he was totally honest and non-corrupt. An international career that lasted just 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20Is seems one truly unfulfilled for arguably the most naturally skilled Indian fast bowler to emerge since Zaheer Khan.
RP Singh
The left-arm seamer from Uttar Pradesh played a huge role in India's success in South Africa with 12 wickets at an economy rate of 6.33, with his spells against South Africa and Pakistan being the best he's bowled in Twenty20. A couple successful IPL seasons hinted at much more after RP struggled with injuries and form, but he has not played for India since he was shockingly recalled for a Test in England when holidaying in Miami. RP remains a central figure for UP in domestic cricket.
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On the seventh anniversary of India's glorious five-run win, gocricket.com casts an eye on the XI that took the field on that memorable day of September 24, 2007, when they beat Pakistan in Johannesburg to lift the trophy, and how their international careers panned out since.
Gautam Gambhir
The left-hand top-order batsman from Delhi used the 2007 World Twenty20 to pitchfork himself back into Test plans, scoring 227 runs in the tournament with a best of 75 in the final. His first Test since December 2005 came a few months after the World Twenty20, and by mid-2008 Gambhir was chosen as opening partner to Virender Sehwag. Gambhir’s Test and ODI careers were successful until early 2013, when he was axed from all formats following a prolonged slump. He last played an ODI in January 27 and was handed a Test recall this summer in England, but 25 runs in four innings could have closed the curtains on his career.
Yusuf Pathan
The older Pathan brother was handed a debut in the 2007 World Twenty20 final, as opener alongside Gambhir, and was a common feature in India's ODI and T20 teams until early 2012. He enjoyed much success with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and has won two titles with Kolkata Knight Riders. Yusuf, 31, played 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is for India.
Robin Uthappa
Uthappa had an amazing run in the 2014 IPL, scoring 660 runs, which was the most runs scored by an Indian batsman in a single edition of the tournament. That earned him a recall to India's ODI squad after six years, but an average tour of Bangladesh has again sidelined him, though he did lead India A in Australia this summer. On the domestic front, Uthappa had a strong 2013-14 season, scoring 374 runs in five Ranji Trophy games for Karnataka and 538 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Yuvraj Singh
Dropped from the ODI team after a poor tour of South Africa in December, Yuvraj last played for India in the ICC World Twenty20 in April, where he managed just one half-century in five innings and was widely criticised for his go-slow innings in the final against Sri Lanka. A decent IPL followed for Royal Challengers Bangalore (376 runs, five wickets) but it wasn't enough to earn Yuvraj a place in India's ODI squad for Bangladesh or India. Have we seen the last of the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup?
MS Dhoni
Undoubtedly the biggest gainer from 2007. Given the captaincy of the T20 side without any domestic leadership experience, Dhoni led the side to glory and the rest, as they say, is history. He has since captained India to the 50-over World Cup and No 1 in Tests, apart from enhancing his reputation as arguably the best limited-overs finishers. Dhoni's success with IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings - they have won two IPL titles as well as the Champions League Twenty20 - has helped him become the richest cricketer around.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit made his T20I debut at the age of 20 during the 2007 tournament, after getting an ODI call a couple months earlier, but the talent shown at a young age has not fully been realised. He has been in and out of all three formats for India, despite becoming the third batsman to score an ODI double-century. Rohit, now 27, still has time on his side to prove that he belongs at Test level. Looks a certainty to tour Australia and New Zealand, injury aside, for next year's World Cup.
Irfan Pathan
With Yuvraj, probably the second-most naturally talented Indian cricketer of the last decade. But like Rohit, the allrounder from Baroda has not lived up to the huge expectations. Irfan was Man of the Match in the 2007 World Twenty20 final but has since played only 16 T20Is, the last of which came in October 2012. With his pace dropping and a series of injuries taking their toll, Irfan has been relegated to domestic cricket and the IPL, but recently stated that he'll be back in India blue.
Harbhajan Singh
India's No 1 spinner in 2007 (he took seven wickets at the tournament), Harbhajan is today looking for way back into India's plans. The veteran offspinner, who has 413 wickets from 101 Tests, is currently out of the Indian squad. The 33-year-old last represented India in a Test match a year ago, while in ODIs his last match was in July 2011. His last T20I was in September 2012.
Joginder Sharma
Who can forget Joginder for his last over against Pakistan in the final? Two evenings after he was given the final over and dismissed Michael Hussey and Brett Lee to clinch India passage into the final of the World Twenty20, Joginder was again entrusted with the last six balls with Pakistan needing 13 runs to win. A wide and a six later, Joginder created history. Cruelly, that was the last time Joginder represented India. He has since plied his trade for Haryana, successfully overcoming a life-threatening injury to make a return for his state.
S Sreesanth
A sad tale of a real talent gone astray. The Kerala fast bowler, who bowled some telling spells in South Africa, was handed a life ban by the BCCI last year for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing during the IPL, though he insists he was totally honest and non-corrupt. An international career that lasted just 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20Is seems one truly unfulfilled for arguably the most naturally skilled Indian fast bowler to emerge since Zaheer Khan.
RP Singh
The left-arm seamer from Uttar Pradesh played a huge role in India's success in South Africa with 12 wickets at an economy rate of 6.33, with his spells against South Africa and Pakistan being the best he's bowled in Twenty20. A couple successful IPL seasons hinted at much more after RP struggled with injuries and form, but he has not played for India since he was shockingly recalled for a Test in England when holidaying in Miami. RP remains a central figure for UP in domestic cricket.