Cricket

Team India’s record in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history

May 31, 2024

As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, anticipation is high among cricket fans worldwide, with India once again being considered a strong contender. India’s legacy in the T20 World Cup is rich, marked by a historic victory in the inaugural 2007 edition.

T20 World Cup 2024: Anticipation and India’s legacy

With a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent, India has often entered the tournament with high expectations. The team’s consistent performance in the shortest format, coupled with a deep pool of versatile players, makes them perennial favorites. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and emerging stars such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Arshdeep Singh, provide India with a robust combination of explosive batting, strategic bowling, and sharp fielding.

The challenge of meeting expectations

Despite their strong reputation, India have struggled to convert their potential into T20 World Cup titles since 2007. Key moments of brilliance have often been overshadowed by critical lapses in crucial matches The 2022 campaign also ended in disappointment with a semi-final loss to England.

These setbacks highlight the challenges India faces in translating their consistent performance in bilateral series to success in high-stakes tournament scenarios. Heading into the upcoming global showpiece event, India will be focused on overcoming these hurdles, leveraging their talent, and strategic depth to aim for their second T20 World Cup title, more than a decade after their first triumph.

Also READ: India T20 World Cup 2024 schedule and squad: Date, Match time, Team List & Live Streaming details

Team India’s Journey in the ICC T20 World Cups

1. ICC T20 World Cup 2007 (South Africa)

India’s journey began on a high note in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India displayed exceptional teamwork and individual brilliance. After advancing through the group stages and the Super 8s, India faced Australia in the semi-finals, where Yuvraj Singh‘s explosive 70 off 30 balls propelled them into the final. The final against Pakistan was a nail-biting encounter, with India clinching victory by 5 runs to become the first-ever T20 World Cup champions.

Best Batting (Team India):
- Best Individual Innings: Yuvraj Singh’s 70 runs off 30 balls against Australia in the semi-final.
- Top Run Scorer: Gautam Gambhir with 227 runs.
Best Bowling (Team India):
- Best Individual Bowling: RP Singh’s 4/13 against South Africa in the group stage.
- Top Wicket Taker: RP Singh with 12 wickets.
Team Performance:
- India won the inaugural T20 World Cup, defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final by 5 runs.

2. ICC T20 World Cup 2009 (England)

In the 2009 T20 World Cup, India entered as defending champions but faced a challenging tournament. They progressed to the Super 8s but struggled to find consistent form. Despite strong individual performances, such as Yuvraj Singh‘s 67 against Sri Lanka, India could not advance past the Super 8s, finishing third in their group and ending their campaign early.

Best Batting (Team India):
- Best Individual Innings: Yuvraj Singh’s 67 runs off 43 balls against Sri Lanka in the Super 8s.
- Top Run Scorer: Yuvraj Singh with 153 runs.
Best Bowling (Team India):
- Best Individual Bowling: Pragyan Ojha’s 4/21 against Bangladesh in the group stage.
- Top Wicket Taker: Pragyan Ojha with 6 wickets.
Team Performance:
- India failed to progress beyond the Super 8s, finishing third in their group.

3. ICC T20 World Cup 2010 (West Indies)

The 2010 edition saw India once again failing to progress beyond the Super 8s. Despite Suresh Raina‘s brilliant century against South Africa, India’s overall team performance was inconsistent. They finished third in their Super 8 group, missing out on a semi-final spot.

Best Batting (Team India):
- Best Individual Innings: Suresh Raina’s 101 runs off 60 balls against South Africa.
- Top Run Scorer: Suresh Raina with 219 runs.
Best Bowling (Team India):
- Best Individual Bowling: Ashish Nehra’s 3/19 against Afghanistan.
- Top Wicket Taker: Ashish Nehra with 10 wickets.
Team Performance:
- India did not progress beyond the Super 8s, again finishing third in their group.

4. ICC T20 World Cup 2012 (Sri Lanka)

India’s 2012 T20 World Cup journey was marked by strong individual displays, especially from Virat Kohli, who was the top run-scorer for the team. However, despite Kohli’s efforts, India could not advance past the Super 8s, finishing third in their group and falling short of the knockout stages.

Best Batting (Team India):
- Best Individual Innings: Virat Kohli’s 78 runs off 61 balls against Pakistan.
- Top Run Scorer: Virat Kohli with 185 runs.
Best Bowling (Team India):
- Best Individual Bowling: Lakshmipathy Balaji’s 3/22 against South Africa.
- Top Wicket Taker: Lakshmipathy Balaji with 9 wickets.
Team Performance:
- India failed to progress beyond the Super 8s, finishing third in their group

5. ICC T20 World Cup 2014 (Bangladesh)

The 2014 T20 World Cup saw a resurgent India, reaching the final under Dhoni’s captaincy. Kohli was in sublime form, leading the tournament in runs. India cruised through the group stages and the semi-finals, but in the final against Sri Lanka, they faltered, ending as runners-up despite Kohli’s valiant efforts with the bat.

Best Batting (Team India):
- Best Individual Innings: Virat Kohli’s 72 runs off 44 balls against South Africa in the semi-final.
- Top Run Scorer: Virat Kohli with 319 runs.
Best Bowling (Team India):
- Best Individual Bowling: Ravichandran Ashwin’s 4/11 against Australia.
- Top Wicket Taker: Ravichandran Ashwin with 11 wickets.
Team Performance:
- India finished as runners-up, losing to Sri Lanka in the final.

6. ICC T20 World Cup 2016 (India)

Hosting the 2016 edition, India had high expectations and delivered strong performances, reaching the semi-finals. Memorable moments included Kohli’s match-winning innings against Australia in the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, in the semi-finals, India was outplayed by a powerful West Indies side, halting their progress in a high-scoring contest.

Best Batting (Team India):
- Best Individual Innings: Virat Kohli’s 82* runs off 51 balls against Australia.
- Top Run Scorer: Virat Kohli with 273 runs.
Best Bowling (Team India):
- Best Individual Bowling: Ashish Nehra’s 3/23 against Bangladesh.
- Top Wicket Taker: Ashish Nehra and Ravichandran Ashwin with 5 wickets each.
Team Performance:
- India reached the semi-finals but were defeated by West Indies.

7. ICC T20 World Cup 2021 (UAE & Oman)

In the 2021 T20 World Cup, India struggled in the Super 12 stage. Despite dominant wins against lesser-ranked teams, they lost crucial matches to Pakistan and New Zealand. This inconsistency led to their early exit from the tournament, finishing third in their group and failing to reach the semi-finals.

Best Batting (Team India):
- Best Individual Innings: KL Rahul’s 69 runs off 48 balls against Afghanistan.
- Top Run Scorer: KL Rahul with 194 runs.
Best Bowling (Team India):
- Best Individual Bowling: Ravichandran Ashwin’s 3/20 against Namibia.
- Top Wicket Taker: Ravichandran Ashwin with 6 wickets.
Team Performance:
- India did not progress beyond the Super 12 stage, finishing third in their group.

8. ICC T20 World Cup 2022 (Australia)

The 2022 edition saw a more balanced Indian team, with significant contributions from both batters and bowlers. Kohli’s memorable innings against Pakistan and consistent performances highlighted their group stage success. India advanced to the semi-finals, but their journey ended there with a heavy defeat to England, preventing them from reaching the final.

Best Batting (Team India):
- Best Individual Innings: Virat Kohli’s 82* runs off 53 balls against Pakistan.
- Top Run Scorer: Virat Kohli with 296 runs.
Best Bowling (Team India):
- Best Individual Bowling: Arshdeep Singh’s 3/32 against Pakistan.
- Top Wicket Taker: Arshdeep Singh with 10 wickets.
Team Performance:
- India reached the semi-finals but were defeated by England.