The 2007 WT20 triumph is an integral part of Indian Cricket folklore, more so because nobody expected India to win, not even BCCI! It is clear from the fact that BCCI casually sent a relatively inexperienced side for the all important event, making a young and naive MS Dhoni the captain. Little did anyone know that time that it would turn out to be a masterstroke!!
Senior players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble were left out. The onus was on players like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and MS Dhoni who had already established themselves in the Indian side to carry the team forward.
Some youngsters like Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Yusuf Pathan were handed an opportunity to express themselves on the biggest stage. India went on to win the title beating Pakistan by 5 runs at Bullring. 10 years later what are the WT20 heroes doing in their life? Where has destiny taken them to? Here”s a look what they are doing today!
Here”s a look what they are doing today :-
Indian squad: MS Dhoni (C/WK), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Yusuf Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Sreesanth, Joginder Sharma.
Players who are still in Indian team: MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik.
Players who have retired – Virender Sehwag, Ajit Agarkar
– by Atharva Apte
As we all know MSD, Rohit and Yuvraj are part of India”s first choice ODI XI today. Yuvraj Singh went through a lot after the 2011 WC suffering from cancer and coming back. He was dropped from the side in 2013 and made a comeback again this year. Yuvi along with MSD and Rohit are frontrunners to play 2019 WC for India. Karthik, on the other hand, is pretty much in the scheme of things.
The Nawab of Najafgarh bid adieu to the game in 2015. Since then he has been mentoring KXIP in IPL. He was also a strong contender to take up India”s coaching job eventually losing to Ravi Shastri. He is seen commentating in India”s matches occasionally. He was last seen in Indian colors in March 2013.
Ajit Agarkar did not play for India again after the World T20. He officially announced retirement in October 2013. He has been appointed as a selector of Mumbai Ranji team now.
Players who have not retired yet but dropped from the team – Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh.
Gautam Gambhir was dropped from Indian team in 2013 following a lean patch. He made a brief comeback in August 2014 but couldn”t succeed and was axed again. He came back again last season and played a couple of tests but couldn”t contribute significantly.
Robin Uthappa was permanent in the team till 2008. However, he has not played for India since then barring a couple of odd occasions. He made his last appearance for India on 19 July 2015.
Yusuf Pathan was a regular fixture in Indian team till 2011 WC. He was considered India”s trump card in 2011 WC because of his prowess lower down the order. The World Cup turned out to be an utter failure and was soon shown exit doors. Like many others, he faded away and was not seen again.
Harbhajan Singh went through a drought of wickets in 2010-11. The emergence of Ashwin coupled with his dip in form meant he could not hold his place for long. He made a comeback in 2013 and 2015 but as of now his chances of making it to Indian team look slim, even though he can”t be completely ruled out.
Irfan Pathan was dropped in 2009 following a dip in form he made a comeback in 2011 and was regular in Ltd. over formats for a couple of years. The emergence of Bhuvi, Shami and Umesh Yadav meant his place was lost. He continues to deliver consistent performances in First-Class cricket and just hope they catch selector”s eye one day.
RP Singh was never able to sustain his place in the Indian side for a long period. India”s leading wicket taker of 2007 WT20 drifted from the scene and now has very little (virtually no) chance of a national comeback.
Among all above names mentioned, Gambhir and Uthappa have the best chance if there is one, to make a comeback.
Players drifted away from cricket: Joginder Sharma and S Sreesanth
Who can forget the catch that Sreesanth took at short fine leg to dismiss Misbah and win the final? Well, since then fate has played a cruel game. In 2013 Sreesanth was handed a life ban for his involvement in spot fixing in IPL. Even though Supreme Court has acquitted him of all the charges, BCCI hasn”t lifted the ban for some reasons. Sreesanth has entered into the world of politics and the cricketing chapter of his life is over.
The match winning last over handed Joginder Sharma a job in Haryana Police Department. He is now the Deputy Superintendent of Police.
This is the story of 2007 WT20 heroes. Not all enjoyed success in cricket after the WT20 triumph but let”s wish them good luck with whatever they are doing now!
– by Atharva Apte