Top 5 Memorable wins from the Indian Cricket Team in T20I format

The T20I format might seem like a short and mere game of 120 balls per inning, but the intensity, pace and excitement act as its USP in the cricket world. Be it the format's short timeline or the impact which can be created in just one or two deliveries; the T20I mode doesn't disappoint its fanatics.

The Indian Cricket team acts as one of those teams that redefined the format and gave us some memorable triumphs. In this listicle, we will look at the five memorable wins by the Indian cricket team across all the matches in the T20I format. 

2024 T20 WC Final vs South Africa

The recent triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup against South Africa has ended the Indian team's long hiatus of 11 years winning an ICC tournament. Before the 2024 T20 World Cup, India had difficulty converting their wholesome efforts into triumphs. Though they gave their complete best and unleashed their memorable performances, they couldn't obtain wins in the crucial finals.

But, on 29th June, 2024, everything changed. Be it from Virat Kohli's stellar batting innings to Suryakumar Yadav's match-saviour long-off catch, the seven-run win has made the team win their second T20 World Cup title after a long gap of 17 years. This victory not only brought back glory to the Indian cricket team but also reinvigorated the spirit of T20 cricket in the country, making it one of the most memorable wins of the Indian side in the shortest format of the game. 

2007 T20 WC Final vs Pakistan

As they say, no one can forget the firsts, and the same applies to the Indian cricket team and its shortest format of the game. The inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 was hosted in South Africa and was the clash of the best. In the end, India and Pakistan emerged in the grand finals. The victory was not just a win but a statement of India's dominance in the cricketing world, especially against their arch-rivals.

After an intense matchup with the bat and ball, India emerged victorious. The victory celebrations in India were enthusiastic and heartfelt. Lifting the T20 World Cup 2007 trophy, Dhoni and his team basked in the joy of their hard-fought victory, which was celebrated throughout India with fireworks, parades, and spontaneous gatherings. This triumph not only celebrated India's victory but also marked the rise of T20 cricket as a critical force in the athletic world.

2022 T20 WC Match vs Pakistan

Though this might not be a decider or finals clash, it has signified the epitome of the Indian team's robust resilience. Held in the iconic MCG on 23rd October 2022, it was the day of King Kohli. Winning the toss, India chose to bowl first. Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed's fifties helped Pakistan overcome a lacklustre start and set India a target of 160.

And it appeared like Pakistan would win the match against their arch-rivals when India was 31/4 because of a blistering spell from Haris Rauf. However, India's Virat Kohli produced an outstanding innings and, with the help of Hardik Pandya, led the team to victory. As India closed in, Kohli unleashed a barrage of stunning shots, including a memorable six behind the bowler. India won the game with four wickets to spare.

Also Read: Top 5 Memorable wins from Indian Cricket Team in the ODI format

2018 Nidahas Tri-Series Final vs Bangladesh

The 2018 Nidahas Tri-Series comprised robust teams like India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, who have been at their prime time in the game's shortest format. This match deserves to be a part of the most memorable T20I triumphs list by the Indian cricket team, thanks to the batting heroics of an experienced campaigner of the Indian cricket team, Dinesh Karthik.

His clutch innings of 29 runs off eight deliveries with two boundaries and three sixes did the trick to win the Nidahas Tri-Series title. With 34 runs needed from the final two overs, Karthik went in and bludgeoned Bangladesh's bowling attack. The wicket-keeper batsman smashed the first three balls to the boundary, helping India collect 22 runs from the last over. Karthik hit a flat six over extra cover on the penultimate ball, giving India an unlikely win. As it suggests, he was named Player of the Match in the final.

2007 T20 WC Match vs Pakistan

This encounter on the list is notable for its quirky match-winner decider. The first T20 match between India and Pakistan during the 2007 T20 World Cup in Durban finished in a draw, resulting in a bowl-out. Pakistan, having decided to field, held India to 141/9.

With the scores equal after Pakistan's reply, India skipper MS Dhoni went with non-specialists for the bowl-out, which paid off as Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, and Harbhajan Singh all struck the stumps while Pakistan's bowlers missed. It remains the last World Cup match decided by a bowl-out, which the Super Over has superseded.