Ten years of India's T20 World Cup glory: Remembering the heroes of the final

On 24 September 2007, India defeated bitter rivals Pakistan in a close-fought final to be crowned the first world champions of T20 cricket, thanks to some fantastic cricket from these men.
On 24 September 2007, India defeated bitter rivals Pakistan in a close fought final to be crowned the first T20 world champions. The match was thoroughly entertaining from the very first ball, thanks to some sensational cricketing from these players. In P
On 24 September 2007, India defeated bitter rivals Pakistan in a close fought final to be crowned the first T20 world champions. The match was thoroughly entertaining from the very first ball, thanks to some sensational cricketing from these players. In P
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Gautam Gambhir: The left-handed opener was the top-scorer for the Indian side who batted first in the iconic match. In fact, apart from Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, no one in the Indian lineup could actually take on the Umar Gul-led Pakistan bowling attack. Gambhir smashed 75 runs off 54 balls, including  8 fours and 2 sixes before being removed by Gul. (Photo | Twitter/Gautam Gambhir)
Gautam Gambhir: The left-handed opener was the top-scorer for the Indian side who batted first in the iconic match. In fact, apart from Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, no one in the Indian lineup could actually take on the Umar Gul-led Pakistan bowling attack. Gambhir smashed 75 runs off 54 balls, including 8 fours and 2 sixes before being removed by Gul. (Photo | Twitter/Gautam Gambhir)
Rohit Sharma: Batting down the order, young Rohit blasted a valuable 30 runs off just 16 deliveries. His undefeated innings helped India to reach a defendable total of 157, after all the big guns including Yuvraj, Dhoni and Uthappa failed to fire. (Photo | Twitter/ ICC)
Rohit Sharma: Batting down the order, young Rohit blasted a valuable 30 runs off just 16 deliveries. His undefeated innings helped India to reach a defendable total of 157, after all the big guns including Yuvraj, Dhoni and Uthappa failed to fire. (Photo | Twitter/ ICC)
Umar Gul:  The 'fast and furious' Gul dismissed tournament-favourite Yuvraj Singh, Indian captain MS Dhoni and set batsman Gambhir to put India under immense pressure. Gul returned with the best bowling figure of 3 - 28 in his four-over spell. (Photo | PTI)
Umar Gul: The 'fast and furious' Gul dismissed tournament-favourite Yuvraj Singh, Indian captain MS Dhoni and set batsman Gambhir to put India under immense pressure. Gul returned with the best bowling figure of 3 - 28 in his four-over spell. (Photo | PTI)
Irfan Pathan: The talented all-rounder produced an outstanding show with the ball when it mattered the most for his country. Irfan Pathan's 3-16 that day is one of his best performances at international level. The match, which also happened to be the debut-match of his brother Yusuf, saw Irfan Pathan sending Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat and opposition skipper Shoaib Malik back to the pavilion.  (Photo | Twitter/Irfan Pathan)
Irfan Pathan: The talented all-rounder produced an outstanding show with the ball when it mattered the most for his country. Irfan Pathan's 3-16 that day is one of his best performances at international level. The match, which also happened to be the debut-match of his brother Yusuf, saw Irfan Pathan sending Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat and opposition skipper Shoaib Malik back to the pavilion. (Photo | Twitter/Irfan Pathan)
Imran Nazir: Imran Nazir opened the innings for Pakistan and gave the perfect start for his side. His short stay at the crease was a nightmare for the Indians, with his willow hitting 4 fours and two sixes. He had made 33 runs off just 14 deliveries before falling to an unfortunate run-out. (Photo | AFP)
Imran Nazir: Imran Nazir opened the innings for Pakistan and gave the perfect start for his side. His short stay at the crease was a nightmare for the Indians, with his willow hitting 4 fours and two sixes. He had made 33 runs off just 14 deliveries before falling to an unfortunate run-out. (Photo | AFP)
Joginder Sharma: Popularly remembered as India's 'Silent Hero', Joginder Sharma bowled the last over of the match and clinched the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq to win India the Cup. Joginder picked up two wickets from 3.3 overs, giving away just 20 runs. (Photo | AFP)
Joginder Sharma: Popularly remembered as India's 'Silent Hero', Joginder Sharma bowled the last over of the match and clinched the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq to win India the Cup. Joginder picked up two wickets from 3.3 overs, giving away just 20 runs. (Photo | AFP)
RP Singh: Left-arm seamer RP Singh picked up the wicket of Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez in the very first over of the innings itself. Having given India the boost they needed at the beginning of the innings, Singh also sent back Kamran Akmal and Umar Gul before they could open their accounts. (Photo | Twitter/AFP)
RP Singh: Left-arm seamer RP Singh picked up the wicket of Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez in the very first over of the innings itself. Having given India the boost they needed at the beginning of the innings, Singh also sent back Kamran Akmal and Umar Gul before they could open their accounts. (Photo | Twitter/AFP)
Misbah-ul-Haq: If he had not attempted that sweep of Joginder Sharma, Misbah-ul-Haq might have become one of the most celebrated heroes of Pakistani cricket. It was his one-man show that kept the match going, even as wickets kept falling at the other end. He made a valiant 43 off 38 balls, before ending up in the safe hands of Sreesanth, as the tenth wicket. (Photo | AFP)
Misbah-ul-Haq: If he had not attempted that sweep of Joginder Sharma, Misbah-ul-Haq might have become one of the most celebrated heroes of Pakistani cricket. It was his one-man show that kept the match going, even as wickets kept falling at the other end. He made a valiant 43 off 38 balls, before ending up in the safe hands of Sreesanth, as the tenth wicket. (Photo | AFP)
MS Dhoni: Though 'Captain Cool' failed to produce good innings for the team with the bat in the final, he used his bowling resources wisely to lift the Cup later in the day.  MS was bowled out for just six runs by Umar Gul. However, the newly elected skipper deserves applause for making the right choices from first match of the tournament to script history in South Africa. (Photo | PTI)
MS Dhoni: Though 'Captain Cool' failed to produce good innings for the team with the bat in the final, he used his bowling resources wisely to lift the Cup later in the day. MS was bowled out for just six runs by Umar Gul. However, the newly elected skipper deserves applause for making the right choices from first match of the tournament to script history in South Africa. (Photo | PTI)
'Before I start, I should say I read an article by you in Cricinfo. You had said Australia were the favourites. Today I think me and my boys, we proved you wrong.' Indian skipper MS Dhoni to Ravi Shastri. (Photo | AFP)
'Before I start, I should say I read an article by you in Cricinfo. You had said Australia were the favourites. Today I think me and my boys, we proved you wrong.' Indian skipper MS Dhoni to Ravi Shastri. (Photo | AFP)

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