The Indian cricket team’s recent triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup marked the end of an 11-year drought of ICC event wins, with the last one being the 2013 Champions Trophy. This victory saw striking similarities with the 2007 T20 World Cup win, where India emerged as champions after an 11-year gap since their previous title win. One of the most notable similarities is the scoring feats of the Delhi-based openers, Gautam Gambhir in 2007 and Virat Kohli in 2024, both of whom scored over 70 runs in the final. Kohli’s 76 off 59 guided India to a seven-run win, echoing Gambhir’s impressive performance 17 years prior.
The abandonment of a group game against an associate nation due to rain is another common thread, with India’s matches against Scotland in 2007 and Canada in 2024 being affected by the elements. The top wicket-taker in both tournaments also reflects the consistency in India’s cricketing strategy. Left-arm fast bowlers RP Singh in 2007 and Arshdeep Singh in 2024 both took impressive numbers of wickets, boasting averages under 13. The fact that India’s strategy of benching certain players is also a recurring theme is a testament to the team’s willingness to adapt and learn from their experiences.
India wins T20 World Cup. (Via Virat Kohli/Twitter)
In 2007, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla did not feature in the playing XI, while in 2024, Yuzvendra Chahal was relegated to the bench. Similarly, right-arm fast bowlers Ajit Agarkar in 2007 and Mohammed Siraj in 2024 both took one wicket in three matches before being dropped from the playing XI. These similarities serve as a testament to the fact that despite changes in personnel and circumstances, some patterns and habits remain consistent in Indian cricket.
India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win saw a repeat of the same formula that contributed to their 2007 success. The team’s ability to adapt to their experiences and learn from their mistakes has been a key factor in their consistency. As they celebrate their latest triumph, they can draw comfort from the knowledge that their journey is one that has been trodden before, with lessons learned and applied to achieve success. The team’s consistency in certain aspects, such as the scoring feats of its openers and the effectiveness of its left-arm fast bowlers, is a cause for optimism as they look to build on their latest triumph.
