In 2007, a young Indian cricket team embarked on an unforgettable journey to South Africa for the inaugural T20 World Cup. What unfolded next is etched forever in the minds of the Indian fans. On September 24, 2007, India triumphed over arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling final at Johannesburg’s Bullring. The iconic words of Ravi Shastri, “In the air, Sreesanth takes it, India win, unbelievable scenes at the Bullring,” still reverberate in the memories of Indian cricket fans. Seventeen years have passed since that monumental victory, and India are looking for their second title.

As we build up to the 2024 extravaganza in America and the Caribbean, let’s go back in time and relive some of the best moments for us fans in the Indian Blue:

6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 | Yuvi, Yuvi, Yuvi: Over the years, there have been some extraordinary individual performances in T20 World Cups. The 2007 tournament, in particular, witnessed several such scintillating displays. Yuvraj Singh’s feat of hitting six sixes in an over against England stands out as one of the most memorable moments in T20 cricket. Achieving this in a single Stuart Broad over, Yuvraj also set the record for the then-fastest fifty in T20Is, reaching the milestone in just 12 balls. The fight with Freddie Flintoff, the pumped up Yuvi, and then bang x 6.

Raina storms into record books: In the 2010 T20 World Cup held in the West Indies, Suresh Raina etched his name in the record books by becoming the first Indian to score a century in T20Is. His blazing knock of 101 off 60 balls against South Africa in the group stages was a masterclass in aggressive batting and played a crucial role in India’s 14-run win. This innings also showcased his ability to dominate the opposition and his importance in India’s T20 setup.

Leading run-scorer | Virat Kohli: With 1,141 runs in 27 matches, Kohli’s consistency and ability to perform under pressure have been remarkable. His unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the 2022 edition was a classic example, guiding India to a thrilling victory from an improbable position. Another notable performance was his 82 against Australia in the 2016 T20 World Cup, which drove India to the semi-finals.

Leading wicket-taker | R Ashwin: Leading the wicket-taking charts with 32 wickets in 24 games, Ravichandran Ashwin has been a part of four T20 World Cup campaigns. His economy rate of 6.49 and an outstanding average of 17.25 highlight his effectiveness in the shortest format. India’s best bowling figures in T20 WCs also came through Ashwin, achieving it against Australia in 2014, where he picked up four wickets for just 11 runs, helping India bowl out the Aussies for a mere 86 runs.

Most catches | Rohit Sharma: Apart from his batting exploits, Hitman has also been one constant in the Indian T20 World Cup side right from the inaugural edition, and holds the record for the most catches by an Indian in T20 World Cups, with 16 catches in 39 games. This record is a testament to his sharp reflexes and safe pair of hands in the field.

India’s positions in T20 World Cups -