India’s Performance in Every Men’s T20 World Cup Edition

India were the first team to win the Men’s T20 World Cup back in 2007. Since then, the Men in Blue have seen highs and lows in the tournament.

On that note, here’s a look at India’s performance in every Men’s T20 World Cup edition.

2007: From Underdogs to Champions

The inaugural T20 World Cup came on the backdrop of a poor 2007 ODI World Cup. India bowed out of the tournament with a solitary win.

So, there were fewer hopes of India pulling off something big in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Plus, a few seniors opted out of the tournament. 

That meant India had fresh blood in the squad led by MS Dhoni. No one gave this young squad a chance to lift the trophy.

But India stormed into the final and defeated arch-rivals Pakistan to become the inaugural champions in South Africa.

2009: Exit from Second Round

India started 2009 with two wins in the group stage. This helped them advance to the next round.

But they had a contrasting performance in the second round. The Men in Blue lost all three of their fixtures and exited the tournament without making it to the knockouts.

2010: Repeat of 2009

India had a similar outcome in the third edition in the West Indies. They started well in the group stage but lost steam in the second round.

2012: Poor Net Run Rate Robs of Semi-Final Hopes

The Men in Blue continued their good work in the group stage in 2012. They qualified for the next round and had a relatively better outcome this time.

While they won two of their three fixtures, their inferior net run rate cost them a spot in the semi-final. India had four points, the same as Australia and Pakistan, but their net run rate pushed them out of the semis race.

2014: Dominant Run Ends in Final

India came out strong in 2014. They were almost unbeaten on the sluggish surfaces in Bangladesh.

The Men in Blue won all four of their group fixtures to enter the semi-final. They defeated South Africa in a close contest, setting up the final against Sri Lanka.

It was a rematch of the 2011 ODI World Cup final. India were, obviously, the favourites again. But things didn’t really go India’s way, as Sri Lanka beat them with ease.

2016: Disappointing End to a Home Campaign

India’s 2016 outing didn’t start well. New Zealand handed them an embarrassing defeat on a spin-friendly track in Nagpur. But the hosts bounced back just in time to advance to the semi-finals. 

India put up 190-odd runs on the board. But the West Indies batters chased down the target with relative ease at the batter-friendly Wankhede Stadium.

2021: Early Jolts Derail Campaign

India had a poor start in 2021. The Men in Blue lost to Pakistan and New Zealand with three more games to go.

Although India won the other matches, they finished at No. 3 in Group 2, meaning an exit from the tournament.

2022: Complete Breakdown in Semi-Final

India started off the blocks with a couple of wins in the group stage. They had a scare against South Africa, but a couple more wins guaranteed a spot in the semi-final.

India were up against England in the semi-final. After a slow start, India put up a fighting 168 runs on the board. 

The total, however, looked small in front of England’s openers, as they thrashed the target with 10 wickets and four overs to spare.

2024: Unbeaten Runs Hands the Trophy!

India had a dream run in 2024. They performed well on challenging decks in New York to book a slot in the Super Eights.

They breezed past the Super Eights with ease. Then they avenged their 2022 semi-final loss against England to move into the final.

The final was set up against South Africa. The Proteas, too, had an unbeaten run going into the final.

And it almost looked like South Africa would stretch their streak. But India seized the moments at the right time to remain unbeaten and lift the trophy under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.

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