New Delhi: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh jogged down memory lane and recalled the memorable night in Johannesburg on September 24, 2007, when India beat Pakistan to win the inaugural edition of the World T20 (now known as T20 World Cup).
India got the better of their arch-rivals by five runs to etch their name in history books. Gautam Gambhir starred with the bat with a brilliant 75 off 54 deliveries while R.P. Singh and Irfan Pathan scalped three wickets each to play pivotal roles in India’ win. The latter was also named the Man of the Match in the final.
“Gautam had an outstanding final with Irfan Pathan. So I think it was a collective effort. Yes, I had two important innings against England and Australia which helped us to come through”
Yuvraj said on Sportskeeda’s show Free Hit.
Yuvraj, however, stated the critical knock that people keep forgetting about is that of Rohit Sharma’s in the final. He slammed an unbeaten 30 off 16 deliveries to take India’s score past the 150-run mark. The right-hander hit a couple of boundaries and one six during his quickfire innings.
“Everyone talks about myself or Gautam, but nobody remembers that Rohit scored 36 off 18 or 20 balls (30 off 16 balls) in the final, which got us to 160 (157/5)”
Yuvraj said.
“That was the most important knock of the tournament. Irfan took three wickets and was the Man of the Match, but I think Rohit’s innings was very special in the final”
he added.