7 Similarities between 2007 World T20 and 2016 World T20: India on the path to glory again?

The sixth edition of the World T20 is being played in India at the moment. No team has won it twice ever. India, Pakistan, England, West Indies and Sri Lanka have won once each. Among the teams which have qualified for the semi-final, only New Zealand have never won a World T20 before. The other three, India, West Indies and England, have one title to their name each.

When India lost their first game against New Zealand, they were on the verge of elimination and it came closest to that point, when Mushfiqur Rahim struck two fours off two balls from Hardik Pandya in the last over against India. However, due to MS Dhoni’s shrewd captaincy and self-belief of Indian players coupled with some luck, India have reserved a berth in the final four once more.

The 2007 World T20 was won by India and many analysts had declared India as the hot favourites to win the tournament this year. However, following the loss against New Zealand, India’s chances of progressing to the semis was diminished.

But the Indian cricket team bounced back and their fans have positively termed the defeat against New Zealand as a part of the plan to lift the trophy once more since they started their World T20 2007 main round campaign with a loss to New Zealand. Though they were being over-optimistic and understandably so, but a couple of weeks later, we have witnessed some more similarities in this T20 Cup and the inaugural edition.

We are here to take a look at all those similarities starting with the defeat to New Zealand.

# India lost to New Zealand

New Zealand players celebrate win against India

India started their Super-8 Round in 2007 with the match against New Zealand. It was the 13th game of that tournament. Interestingly, the 13th match of this tournament was also between New Zealand and India, and it was India’s first in the Super-10. The Indian side was led by MS Dhoni in both games and the only other player to feature in both games was Yuvraj Singh.

New Zealand batted first in that match also putting up a mammoth total of 190-8 in their 20 overs. India in reply started aggressively with Virender Sehwag making 40 off just 17 balls, but he fell on the last ball of the powerplay, helping India make 76. However, once his opening partner Gautam Gambhir fell for 51, no one could make a handy contribution that might have been enough for victory.

Overall, India fought well and lost the game by 10 runs only. it was not known at that time, had India lost with a bigger difference, they may not have qualified for the next round due to poor Net Run-Rate.

# A left-arm Kiwi spinner took four-for against India

Mitchell Santner bamboozled India with his 4-11

Daniel Vettori was the star performer for the Kiwis in that game against India. The left-arm spinner took 4 giving only 20 runs in his allotted quota of overs. His 4-20 was his first four-wicket haul in T20I Career and remained the only four-for.

Similarly, in the game in 2016, Mitchell Santner, another left-arm spinner, took 4-11 which was his first four-wicket haul in a T20I game. Vettori was named the Man of the Match in 2007, while Santner earned it this time.

# A Number 3 Indian batsman scored half-century against Pakistan, Left-handed Pakistani opener makes 17 and Shahid Afridi scores under 10

Robin Uthappa’s half-century helped India post a competitive total against Pakistan in 2007

In both World Cups, Pakistan and India faced each other in the group stage. In 2007, a left-handed Pakistani opener, Salman Butt, who faced the first ball made 17 runs from 25 balls. In 2016, Sharjeel Khan opened the innings for Pakistan and made exact 17 runs from 24 runs. Both openers played for half an hour and struck two fours each with no sixes.

In the 2007 match, Robin Uthappa came to bat at number 3 for India and made a half-century. In this game, this feat was repeated by Virat Kohli who also came to bat on number 3. Afridi in that game scored 7, while he managed 8 in this one.

# India had to win all their games after first loss

Indian players celebrate their thrilling 1 run win over Bangladesh

After losing their first game in 2007, India had to win the next two games if they wanted to qualify for the semi-final. In this World Cup, India had to do the same i.e. win all the remaining games, to avoid many ifs and buts of Net Run Rate. India won their remaining games in 2007 World T20 and they did have won all the Super-10 games this time around.

India defeated England and the won against South Africa to reach the semi-final in 2007. This time, they defeated Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia to book the final berth in the semis.

# Last game of the Group Stage was a virtual Quarter-Final for India

A jubilant Indian dugout following the win over Australia

In 2007, South Africa and India faced each other in the last game of their group. The equation was simple- If India win, they qualify; if South Africa win, they qualify. However, there was a slight difference – South Africa could qualify even if they lost the game by less than 27 runs. In that case, New Zealand would have been knocked out of the tournament.

In 2016, India played their last game of group stage against Australia, and it was a virtual quarter-final for both sides. No calculations were required this time, with win meaning qualification and loss, elimination. In both games, teams winning the toss decided to bat first.

India made 153 in the 2007 game against South Africa and a brilliant display of bowling from RP Singh saw South Africa lose the game by 37 runs, and thus the Proteas could not reach the next stage. In this tournament, India defeated Australia to reach the semis and in the process, sent Australia back to their home,

# Man of the Match in virtual Quarter-Final was a right-handed batsman

Rohit Sharma was awarded the Man of the Match for his unbeaten half-century against South Africa in 2007

Virat Kohli played a fantastic knock last night to take India to semi-final in this edition of the world cup. He made 82* off just 51 balls and was declared the Man of the Match. In 2007 match against South Africa, Rohit Sharma came in the middle order and scored 50* off 40 balls and he was adjudged the Man of the Match. Interestingly, Virat Kohli reached his fifty off exactly 40 balls in this game.

# India and New Zealand were the two teams to qualify for the semi-finals from the same group

India and New Zealand progressed to the semi-finals from their group

In both tournaments, two teams which qualified for the semi-finals from one group were New Zealand and India. However, there is a little difference in the way qualification came. In 2007, New Zealand were eagerly waiting for the result of match between South Africa and India because that game would decide which two teams would get into semi-finals. However, in this event, having won four out of their four matches, New Zealand did not have any worries as they had qualified in the best possible manner.


This is how it has been so far. India are well on course to a second title as far as signs tell their story. The only thing that might have reinforced this scenario was a tie – which comes as a blessing when Dhoni is captaining a side in any tournament. However, these are predictions only; W can only behold what hold the future when the time shall come. So wait and see.


source:sportskeeda

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