Team India’s journey in T20 World Cup has been a mix of historic title triumphs as well as near misses, but it has been nothing short a constant evolution. From lifting the trophy in the inaugural edition in 2007, to reaching multiple knockouts, India has always entered the competition as a strong contender. Across all these nine editions, Team India’s performances have been shaped by explosive batting, bowling brilliance, and some eye-opening moments on the field.
Moreover, there have been some heartbreaks and fine margins which have highlighted the unforgiving nature of the shortest format. Although each edition has offered new lessons, emerging stars and strategy shifts. In this article, we have elaborated on Team India’s performances across all T20 World Cup editions.
India’s performance at T20 World Cup from 2007 till 2024
India at T20 World Cup 2007
Team India made history by becoming the first-ever winner of the T20 World Cup in 2007. The tournament, which saw several memorable moments, also saw India lift the maiden title. Gautam Gambhir’s heroic effort (75) in the final helped the Indian side put up a decent score of 157 against Pakistan. In reply, regular wickets for Pakistan got them in some serious trouble during the chase, and eventually a combined effort by Joginder Sharma and S Sreesanth helped the Men in Blue win.
T20 World Cup 2009
Entering the 2009 edition as defending champions, there were high expectations already. While they topped their group, they stumbled against the likes of England, South Africa and West Indies and eventually finished at the bottom of their group and were knocked out of the tournament.
T20 World Cup 2010
In the following edition of the tournament, which was played in 2010, India continued their struggles as they faced giants like West Indies and Australia. The Men in Blue once again failed to register a win in the Super Eight and made back-to-back exits from the tournament.
T20 World Cup 2012
The series of heartbreak continued for the Men in Blue as they once again made an exit from the Super 8. Team India registered only two wins, one each against South Africa and Pakistan, but were handed a humiliating defeat against Australia, thus bringing an end to their campaign.
India at T20 World Cup 2014
The T20 World Cup 2014, which was Virat Kohli’s first, saw him shine at the global stage. The Delhi-born’s performance helped India seal a place in the final, but his 77-run knock went in vain as Sri Lanka chased the total of 130 runs in 18 overs. However, Kohli became the Player of the Tournament as he finished with 319 runs in six innings, which remains most by a player in a single edition.
India at T20 World Cup 2016
After a heartbreak in the final in 2014, the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup was a bittersweet one for India. Playing at their home grounds in India, they went on to secure a semi-finals berth after wins over Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia, but West Indies outclassed them in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium, thus ending India’s campaign there.
T20 World Cup 2021
After two semi-finals exit in 2014 and 2016, India’s 2021 edition was its worst. The Men in Blue not only lost their first-ever match in the tournament against Pakistan, but they also then lost to New Zealand in group stage. After two losses in the group stage itself, Team India made an exit in the preliminary round.
T20 World Cup 2022
Team India saw a revival in 2022 T20 World Cup, reaching the semi-final in Australia. The Men in Blue locked horns with England in the semi-final where Virat Kohli scored a fifty and Hardik Pandya also played a 63 off 33 to put 168 runs on the board. But with Jos Buttler and Alex Hales in form for England, the opening partners remained unbeaten and guided England to 10-wicket win. As a result, India bowed out of the competition after the semi-final defeat.
India at T20 World Cup 2024
It was in 2024 that Team India finally ended their T20 World Cup trophy drought. Coming into the final undefeated, India put up 176 runs on the board, a terrific 47 by Axar Patel and a brilliant 76 from Virat Kohli. During the chase, South Africa were cruising to victory, but excellent bowling in the death by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, and a stunning catch by Suryakumar Yadav helped Team India win by 7 runs to lift the trophy for a second time.
Cricket
Decision day over Sanju Samson as Tilak Varma returns to India squad for T20 World Cup
