11th September, 2007 – The Era of T-20 Cricket Had Begun. Indian premier league (IPL) Or T-20 Cricket there are always the debates over these two leagues around the world over its huge popularity. With Just less than two weeks away when the 13th edition of the cash-rich league is about to start. Having its immense popularity around the world every test playing nation have started their own T-20 leagues over the years.
A decade ago hardly anyone in the world was familiar with this concept of T-20 cricket as it was the least watched cricket. Then hit the headlines inaugural season of ICC T-20 Cricket in South Africa, 2007. The format was new and emotions were mix-bag. Was the T-20 cricket Concept going to be blockbuster or it was the hype of one single edition? Few of things which this concept has definitely changed it.
Looking back at the scoreboard in a 50-over format was difficult to chase this new concept making it clear there will be no restrictions as batsmen can go any limit in the 20 over game. Team has been touching the barrier 200 run-mark or even 250 run-mark very easily in this T-20 cricket. Moreover, players like to make their career in T-20 cricket rather than Red ball cricket in modern day cricket. Not only it brings the change in world cricket but it also revolutionised the level of cricket afterwards. Let us take a look back at the inaugural season of T-20 cricket world cup.
Group Stage:
12 teams started the tournament. Each 4 group has 3 teams and the top two teams will move to the super eight stage of the tournament. Johannesburg was set for the first game between West Indies and South Africa. The match was the glimpse to the world cricket that this concept was turned out in the coming years. After winning the toss, South Africa invited the West Indies to bat and they kicked started the tournament with explosive hitting from the Chris Gayle bat who scored 117 runs off 57 balls.
With the absolute carnage from Chris Gayle West Indies posted 205 runs in their allocated 20 overs. Chasing that 206 under the lights was not going to be easy for South Africa but they made it possible with some dangerous hitting from Herschelle Gibbs 90* off 55 balls and took his side over the line in 18th over. Catches were dropped and bowling was completely disaster as West Indies bowled 23 wides which brought it South Africa easily chase the target.
Another Shocking game from the group stage went under the wire when Zimbabwe humiliated predator Aussies in a low scoring match. Australia's team posted 138/9 in their 20 overs. With the likes of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Bracken it was clear Bangladesh will be going to face sheer pace bowling. But the next was completely bizarre when the Underdog Zimbabwe side chased down the total of 139 runs with 5 wickets in hand.
One more game from the Group C game between Sri Lanka and Kenya stunned the audience when Sri-Lanka posted 260/6 in 20 overs – highest ever total in T-20 Cricket history. Kenya's team has lost the match by 172 runs, the biggest defeat in terms of margin.
Another match went under the wire. The last match of Group D between India and Pakistan decided on the bowl out criteria as no team managed to win the match in the 20 overs. The first bowl out of the tournament and team India won it easily and moved to the super eight stage after this victory.
Super Eight stage:
After the high scoring first game to nail-biting finishes, major teams from every group qualified for the Super Eight stage including South Africa, Bangladesh, Australia, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lankan and New Zealand. In the super eight stage two groups were formed and 4 teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will move to the semi-finals.
The super eight stage began with India playing New Zealand in which team India lost the match by 10 runs with economical spell of Daniel Vettori 4/20. After losing their first game India and England it was a do and die situation for them in the tournament to win the remaining games. The England team has lost the second game by 5 runs against New Zealand which somehow makes it clear they will not be going to the next level. South won the two games and they were into the semi-finals almost.
But that match changed the picture of the points table of India versus England. A high scoring game and nothing much for England to fight for his pride only. Team India won the toss and decided to bat first in a do and die game and they completely destroyed the English bowling attack from the word go. Team India 218/4 – highest score in the tournament so far including Yuvraj Singh 6 sixes, fastest fifty in 12 balls and Virender Sehwag quick-fire 68 runs off 32 balls. England's team was already out of league but they tried to chase the total eventually they lost by 18 runs.
India was playing South Africa in their last match of Super Eight stage winning and took it to the semi-finals. South Africa already won two games but team India's victory against England boosted the net run rate. South Africa has to win this game at a better run rate to move to the next round. Team India posted 153 on the board in 20 overs. South Africa has to score runs in 17 overs to qualify for the Semi finals but they managed to score 116 runs and lost the match by 37 runs. As Team India and New Zealand moved to semi finals from the group.
In the other group Pakistan team after winning 3 games and Australia after winning 2 games qualified for the Semi-finals.
Semi-finals:
India, Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand
After defeating New Zealand in the first semi-final game. Pakistan team was the first one to qualify for the finals. The eyes were set on the second semi-final between India and Australia. After winning the toss team India posted 188/5 in their 20 overs including Yuvraj Singh 70 runs off 30 balls.
Australia started the chase and they were going confidently towards the target 55 required off 33 balls. It was clear Australia versus Pakistan in the finals.
But the one twist was about to come when Sreeshanth ripped apart Hayden stumps on 4th ball of 15th over. The twist came out of nowhere and what's next the complete debacle as Australian was restricted to the score of 173 runs. It was rare to see that Australian team was going home from the knockout stage – Very rare.
Finals:
India and Pakistan the arch-rivals. The much awaited game of the league as no have expected these two teams will be playing the finals. In a league phase the expectation was high from both sides and expected a high scoring contest.
Team India batting first the lone warrior Gautam Gambhir 75 stood alone and took the team score to 157 in the 20 overs.
The Pakistan team got off to the worst start and they looked in trouble at 77/6. Misbah-Ul-Haq along with tailender took the Pakistan team back into the game. 13 runs required off 6 balls. Dhoni handed the ball to Joginder Sharma. Six on the second ball makes the equation to 6 runs off 4 balls. It was clear Pakistan is going over the line very easily. But Misbah-Ul-Haq tried to one more six over fine-leg but mis time shot ended into the hands of Sreeshanth – the way he caught it never looked like he was going to catch it. But in the end it was all history the underdogs Indian team was the champions of inaugural season of T-20 Cricket world Cup. Within the less than 10th month period the inaugural season of the cash-rich league was also started and from there we have witnessed a complete different level of cricket.
