T20 WORLD CUP LENS

Dhoni's audacious gambit

India vs Pakistan Final 2007 T20 World Cup in Johannesburg

Joginder Sharma, who is now working in the Indian Police Service, was the man who won India the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. With the reliable Misbah-ul-Haq on strike, Pakistan needed 13 from the final over with one wicket in hand. With RP Singh, Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan done with their overs, skipper MS Dhoni was left between choosing lead spinner Harbhajan Singh and the inexperienced Joginder. After a long thought, Dhoni handed the ball to Joginder. And when the medium-pacer conceded a wide and was struck for a six in the second delivery, Indian fans' groan could be heard clearly. But the next ball would see Joginder turn a hero and Dhoni a mastermind as Misbah's trademark scoop was caught at short fine leg with India snatching a historic five-run win.    

Afridi wins title for Pakistan

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Final 2009 T20 World Cup at Lord's

Two years after having their heart broken by arch-rivals India in the final of the inaugural T20 World Cup, Pakistan pacified themselves with their first and sole T20I title at Lord's. It was Shahid Afridi, Pakistan's most iconic T20 cricketer, who steered his team to a thumping eight-wicket victory. He had shown maturity, an attribute that eluded him in his youth, during his unbeaten 40-ball 54 as he kept his cool for most of the game. He sprinted the final run, a leg-bye, and raised his arms in triumph -- Afridi's trademark celebration -- waiting for the running Pakistan players to embrace him in jubilation.

Amir's bizarre five-wicket maiden

Pakistan vs Australia Group match 2010 T20 World Cup in Gros Islet

The first innings' final over saw something unprecedented after pacer Mohammad Amir was handed the ball by Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi. Amir ended up bowling a five-wicket maiden, that too in the final over of a T20 game -- a bizarre feat indeed. In an instance of magnificent bowling and suicidal running, Amir castled Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait after having Brad Haddin caught at short third man while Michael Hussey and Steven Smith ran themselves out trying to sneak singles. Amir finished with figures of three for 23 and despite the phenomenal last-over, Pakistan lost the game by 34 runs as they failed to chase Australia's mammoth 191.

Windies' World Cup after 33 years!

West Indies vs Sri Lanka Final 2012 T20 World Cup in Colombo

When West Indies players broke out their famous 'Gangnam Style' celebration after securing a 36-run victory against Sri Lanka, their emotions were apparent, captivating and most importantly fitting, given that the once mighty ruler of world cricket had finally won a World Cup after 33 long years. The last time the Windies played a World Cup final was way back in 1979, in which they came out victorious. But, over the years, the dominance had faded. With glory days long past gone, the Marlon Samuels-inspired victory that day finally resurrected some of the Windies' lost pride.  

When minnows stole the show

Netherlands vs Ireland First Round Group Stage game 2014 T20 World Cup in Sylhet

A first round group stage encounter between two minnows -- the Netherlands and Ireland -- would not probably garner much attention from cricket fans. But how a T20 game can provide the pinnacle of thrill and amusement, despite not being a much-hyped contest, was demonstrated that day. In order to progress to the Super 10, the Netherlands had to chase down a mammoth 190-run target, that too inside 14.2 overs. And the Dutch pulled it off with three balls to spare -- etching their names in the T20 glory books forever. Stephan Myburgh's fiery 63, Wesley Barresi's unbeaten 40 and Tom Cooper's 15-ball 45 will always remain fresh in fans' memory.   

6,6,6,6!

England vs West Indies Final 2016 T20 World Cup in Kolkata

Nineteen needed off the last over, and West Indies' Carlos Brathwaite pulled off something stupendous. With Marlon Samuels, the one who dragged the Windies to a fighting position with his 66-ball 85, at the wrong end, Brathwaite decided to take matters into his own hands. Having equalled the score with three sixes on the trot, one would expect a sensible single to ensure the title. But Brathwaite's temerity could not be questioned, let alone be contained. He relied on his muscle power and ended the game with another colossal six, ensuring that the Windies would go on to become the only team with two T20 World Cup titles.