How the T20 World Cup win in 2007 for India was defining?

If old timers who were part of the Indian cricket team are getting nostalgic today on social media, it is understandable. Having defeated Pakistan on September 24, 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa, history was made. After the 1983 World Cup win, this was the first time India was winning a big trophy. What made it special, beating the arch rivals and in a format where India were the babes.

Wow, in 18 years, so much has changed. The whole concept of cricket has changed, where the accent is more on T20. Good or bad, you decide, T20 has become part of everyone’s lives, across the globe. On Tuesday, revered cricket umpire, Dickie Bird, passed away. Fans took a trip down memory lane, since the Englishman was described as one of the best umpires. He had stood in Tests and ODIs. Yet, if Dickie Bird had to stand as umpire in a T20 match, he may have been a bit hesitant.

To be sure, for a lot of us who watched the India vs Pakistan final in 2007, the hype was not much. Just like in 1983, when India defeated mighty West Indies in an ODI World Cup final, limited overs cricket became a rage. Yet, if someone says what actually changed the mindset from ODIs to T20 internationals, the win in 2007 was a big moment.

For those who still say the senior players did not want to travel to South Africa with MS Dhoni as captain, the veracity can be doubted. But then, for all those who were part of the World Cup win in 2007, Gautam Gambhir and Irfan Pathan included, the win was delightful. Fans did not know what T20 cricket really was. After all, it takes time to adjust to something new. Today, T20 cricket is most prominent,  and every city has a tournament. And if you add the number of nations which plays this format, it has become massive..

To be sure, T20 cricket is not bad at all. It was thanks to this win for India, the birth of the IPL – Indian Premier League – took place in India in 2008. The IPL is now a must for cricket junkies. And, for someone like MS Dhoni to be still part of the circus as in icon for Chennai Super Kings is emotional. He may be past prime, but MS is still a crowd puller.

 Each sport undergoes changes. Cricket was supposed to be about white flannels, red ball, in Tests, and first-class cricket. Even non-Test cricket was, initially, red ball. Of course, when the Kerry Packer breakaway series (WSC) happened in Australia in the late 70s and he brought on the big names, night cricket became a rage. Played under floodlights, the whole concept was a novelty. That WSC caught on is well-known.

Likewise, India winning the T20 World Cup in 2007 has been a landmark date. Today, as India compete in the Asia Cup in Dubai, it is a sign how T20 cricket has become so important. After all, this event – Asia Cup – was, initially, the ODI format. Fans are happy with shorter matches. There is instant gratification and less time spent away from work, inside a stadia or while watching on TV and phones.

So, remember, when it began, September 24, 2007. Exactly 18 years back for Team India in a rapid cricket format.