5 memorable bowling spells by Indians in past T20 WC editions

The inaugural champions of the T20 World Cup, India will be eager to demonstrate their capabilities on the grand stage during the current edition in West Indies and USA . Despite hosting the most lucrative T20 tournament globally, it’s ironic that India’s lone triumph in the ICC event occurred before the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India clinched the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa with remarkable performances, culminating in a thrilling final against arch-rivals Pakistan in Johannesburg. However, subsequent editions haven’t brought much joy for Team India.

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They exited early from the 2009, 2010, and 2012 championships, before reaching the final in 2014. With a formidable squad, India harbored hopes of securing their second title. However, Sri Lanka dashed those hopes with a clinical performance in the final. India came close again in 2016, hosting the T20 World Cup, but fell short against eventual champions West Indies in the semi-finals. Despite possessing just one T20 World Cup title, Team India’s players have delivered several noteworthy individual performances over the years. Let us look at top five performances from India on the grandest T20 competition;

5. Harbhajan Singh (4/12)

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh shone with figures of 4/12 in a group match of the T20 World Cup 2012 against England. The game, held in Colombo, saw the Men in Blue defending a total of 170, anchored by Rohit Sharma’s half-century and contributions from Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, both scoring in the 40s. Harbhajan’s brilliance led to England’s collapse, as they were bundled out for 80 in 14.4 overs. After Irfan Pathan dismissed Alex Hales (0) and Luke Wright (6), Harbhajan joined the action by clean bowling Eoin Morgan (two). Morgan attempted to cut a quick arm ball but was bowled out.

Tim Bresnan (1) was Harbhajan’s next victim, top-edging a sweep to deep square leg. Jos Buttler (11) was then bowled as he missed connecting with a length ball after backing away. Graeme Swann fell prey to Harbhajan’s ‘doosra’, getting stumped as he charged down the wicket, marking Harbhajan’s fourth victim. The convincing 90-run victory underscored Team India’s dominance in the contest.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin (4/11)

The experienced Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin delivered an outstanding performance with figures of 4/11 against Australia in a group match of the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. After India posted 159/7 batting first in Mirpur, Ashwin’s brilliance led to Australia being dismissed for a mere 86 in 16.2 overs.

Ashwin made early breakthroughs in the innings, dismissing Aaron Finch (six) who top-edged a tossed-up delivery. As wickets tumbled at the other end, David Warner (19) also fell victim to Ashwin, attempting a slog towards deep midwicket. The crafty Indian bowler then accounted for the dangerous Glenn Maxwell (23 off 12), whose reverse sweep ended in a loss of balance and a hit to the leg stump from Ashwin’s carrom ball. Ashwin completed the proceedings by having James Muirhead (3) caught behind as the tailender tried to cut the ball. Thanks to Ashwin’s stellar performance, Team India secured a resounding 73-run victory.

3. RP Singh (4/13)

RP Singh did not have a long career with Team India, but he was at his peak during the 2007 T20 World Cup. In fact, he was one of the unsung heroes of the team’s historic triumph. The former left-arm seamer starred with figures of 4/13 in India’s 37-run win over the Proteas during a group game at the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup.

Team India had to defend a total of 153 in the match in Durban, and Singh’s excellent bowling effort held South Africa to 116/9. The former left-armer struck early, trapping Herschelle Gibbs (11) Ibw with a delivery that swung back in. Dinesh Karthik then pulled off a stunning catch at slip to give the bowler his second scalp. Graeme Smith (11) went hard at a wide delivery and got an outside that flew quickly. However, Karthik dived full length to his left and plucked the ball.

Next, Singh cleaned up Shaun Pollock (0) with a full, swinging delivery that also beat the batter for pace. Albie Morkel batted well for his 38 before he too was bowled, becoming Singh’s fourth victim of the match. S Sreesanth and Harbhajan also claimed two scalps each as India completely dominated proceedings.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin (3/22)

Ashwin was Team India’s standout bowler in the T20 World Cup 2014 semi-final against South Africa in Mirpur. Batting first, the Proteas did put up a competitive 172/4 on the board, but the total could have been much more but for Ashwin’s brilliant spell. He conceded only 22 runs in his four overs while also claiming three big wickets.

The off-spinner bowled a magical delivery to get rid of Hashim Amla (22), but for some reason the wicket is not spoken about much. A carrom ball pitched outside leg stump and turned so much that it ended up hitting the off stump. Ashwin then dismissed the well-set Faf du Plessis (58) in rather bizarre fashion. The then South African captain looked to guide a carrom ball that pitched outside leg. However, the ball ended up hitting his body and deflected onto the stumps.

The off spinner then sent back AB de Villiers (10), who top-edged the bowler and was caught at long leg. Despite the off-spinner’s brilliance, Team India were set a stiff target. But Virat Kohli took the team into the final with a superbly compiled 72* off 44 balls.

1. Irfan Pathan (3/16)

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s career didn’t quite reach the heights it promised at the outset, but he’ll always be remembered for his outstanding performance in the 2007 T20 World Cup final. India was defending a modest total of 157 against Pakistan in Johannesburg. Pathan’s spell of 3/16 played a significant role in making that score a match-winning one.

After RP Singh dismissed Mohammad Hafeez (1) and Kamran Akmal (0) early, Pathan claimed the crucial wicket of Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik (eight). Malik attempted a pull shot to a short delivery but only managed to find a catch at midwicket.

On the very next ball, Pathan removed another danger man, Shahid Afridi (0), who attempted one of his trademark big hits but skied the ball to mid-off. Pathan completed his third wicket by clean bowling Yasir Arafat (15) with a full delivery on the stumps. Although Misbah-ul-Haq (43) threatened India with some powerful hitting, his mistimed scoop off Joginder Sharma ultimately sealed the victory for the Men in Blue, crowning them as the inaugural T20 world champions.