It might seem like just yesterday, but it’s been exactly 17 years already since that magical evening in 2007 when India painted Johannesburg blue. The T20 World Cup 2007 was the perfect medicine a fan could have had after a heart-wrenching ODI World Cup campaign the same year.

But sometimes fairy tales are scripted on the cricket field and the journey of Team India under MS Dhoni was one such. With a young side and no weight of expectations, the Men in Blue played their hearts out and surprised even the most rooted fan.

Even after all these years, the memories are fresh in the minds of every fan, young and old alike. Come let’s relive some of those.

India, Pakistan, Tie, and the Bowl Out climax

India-Pakistan matches are always high-octane for the fans irrespective of the context. This was taken to an all-new level with the group game at Durban. Both teams could not be separated even after intense action of 40 overs as the scores remained level. 

Then came the Bowl-out! A climax to the game in a football-style shootout. All the Indian bowlers were on target and none of their Pakistan counterparts could hit the stumps. The 3-0 scoreline and the doff of the hat by Robin Uthappa after hitting the target were memorable scenes from the high-pressure contest.

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6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6

What an unbelievable night it was! Thanks to Yuvraj Singh the fans witnessed a marvel which will stay fresh for a long time to come. Never mess with Yuvi! Andrew Flintoff sadly learnt it the hard way. Yuvi went into a league of his own after a minor war of words with Freddie.

Young Stuart Broad bore the brunt and was carted all over the park for six sixes in a single over. MS Dhoni had the best seat of the night witnessing the magic unravel from the non-striker’s end. Yuvraj’s 12-ball 50, a piece of brilliance and still the fastest fifty in T20 World Cups, took India over the line in a high-scoring game.

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Meet the new kid on the block, Rohit Sharma!

He might not have become Hitman just yet, but the young 20-year-old Rohit Sharma announced his arrival in international cricket with his show against hosts South Africa in Durban. Batting for the first time in T20Is, he came up with a gritty half-century when India needed it the most.

With India down at 33/3, in walked RO, and showed that he belonged on the big stage. Unsurprisingly, he was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock. RP Singh’s wonderful spell and Dinesh Karthik’s acrobatic catch was the icing on the cake.

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Yuvi, Yuvi, Yuvi

Down at 41/2 after eight overs against the mighty Australians in a World Cup knockout match might bring back harrowing memories from the past. But thankfully not this time, especially when the big-match player Yuvraj Singh was at the crease.

It was pure carnage for the next 12 overs as India reached a massive 188/5 with Yuvi’s 30-ball 70 turning things around. With his usual swag, he went after the Australian attack hitting sixes for fun. Even after all these years, the goosebumps are still right there!

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“In the airrrr…Sreesanth takes it! India win!”

It was a grand finale, and arch-rivals India and Pakistan were squaring off again after the earlier Bowl Out. It couldn’t have gotten any better. Gautam Gambhir displayed great composure as he top-scored in the match with a 54-ball 75 and guided India to a healthy total batting first. Hitman’s entertaining cameo towards the end gave India the momentum it was looking for while going into the bowling innings.

It was pure drama towards the end as captain MS Dhoni pulled the rabbit out of the hat. He brought Joginder Sharma for the final over and it turned out to be a masterstroke. Though he conceded a six off the second ball, Jogi showed nerves of steel to dismiss Misbah-ul-Haq off the next ball.

Sreesanth was lining up just not to take the catch but the millions of hearts that also went up with Misbah’s scoop. The catch was taken, the win was sealed, and a 24-year-long wait for a World Cup came to an end!