The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member India squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The biggest news of the announcement was the inclusion of former India captain MS Dhoni as the Indian cricket team’s mentor. Rightly said by the BCCI, it is the reunion that the Indian cricket team fans were waiting for.
While the news is exciting, keeping in mind that it was Dhoni who led India to lift the inaugural T20 World Cup with a thrilling win against arch-rivals Pakistan, it should also be pointed out that after the 2007 victory, India under Dhoni wasn’t able to emulate its own performance.
Here’s a look at Dhoni’s record at the ICC T20 World Cups over the years.
2007 T20 World Cup (Champion)
In the inaugural edition, India was placed in Group D with Pakistan and Scotland. The MS Dhoni-led team finished top of the group with three points. In Super Eight, India was placed with New Zealand, South Africa and England. Amongst these teams, only India and New Zealand qualified.
In the knockout stages, India defeated Australia by 15 runs to set up a mouth-watering contest against Pakistan.
In a thriller of a final, courtesy of a Joginder Sharma over and an MS Dhoni masterstroke, India bowled out Pakistan in 19.3 overs to win the encounter by 5 runs.
2009 T20 World Cup (Round 2)
In the 2nd edition of the T20 World Cup, India were placed with Bangladesh and Ireland in Group A. The Men in Blue topped the Group with four points to proceed further in the tournament.
However, in the Super Eight, India, placed alongside South Africa, the West Indies, and England, could not proceed further. They played three and lost as many matches, finishing last.
2010 T20 World Cup (Round 2)
In this edition, India was placed in Group C with South Africa and Afghanistan. With four points, the Indian team topped the group. In the Super Eight, it was placed with Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
However, the Indian team yet again failed to move past the second round. They finished last by losing all of their three matches.
2012 T20 World Cup (Round 2)
India at the 2012 T20 World Cup was placed alongside England and Afghanistan in Group A. India, once again, topped the group with four points. But in the Super Eights, India lost two out of their three matches and accumulated four points to be placed third in the group. While the toppers, too, accumulated the same points, India was left behind in the Net Run Rate.
2014 T20 World Cup (Runner up)
In the 2014 T20 World Cup, India was placed alongside the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh. India topped the group with eight points to proceed further.
In the knockout stage, India defeated South Africa by six wickets to set up a final with Sri Lanka.
In the final that was held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, India was outclassed by a superior Sri Lankan team by six wickets.
2016 T20 World Cup (Knockout stage)
Having automatically qualified for the Super 10 stage, India was placed in Group 2 with New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. While the Kiwis topped the group, the Men in Blue finished second with six points.
In the knockout stage, India was up against the mighty West Indies. The Indian side was comfortably beaten by their opposition by seven wickets at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.