India won the first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 by defeating Pakistan by five runs in a thrilling final at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. The victory made India the first team to lift the men’s T20 World Cup trophy.
MS Dhoni captained India during the tournament, while Gautam Gambhir’s 75 run innings and Irfan Pathan’s three wickets played important roles in the final. The match became famous for its tense finish, when Pakistan needed 13 runs in the last over before India secured the title.
Who Won the First T20 World Cup in 2007?
India won the first T20 World Cup in 2007, defeating Pakistan by five runs on 24 September 2007. India scored 157 runs for five wickets in 20 overs. Pakistan were bowled out for 152 in 19.3 overs.
Irfan Pathan received the Player of the Match award for taking three wickets for 16 runs. The victory gave India the inaugural title in the shortest format of the men’s international World Cup.
India vs Pakistan: 2007 T20 World Cup Final Match Details
Source: India TV News
The final brought together two major cricket rivals. India batted first and set Pakistan a target of 158 runs. Pakistan stayed in the contest until the final over, but India held their nerve to win the championship.
| Match Detail | Information |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2007 |
| Final date | 24 September 2007 |
| Venue | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
| India score | 157/5 in 20 overs |
| Pakistan score | 152 all out in 19.3 overs |
| Result | India won by 5 runs |
| India captain | MS Dhoni |
| Pakistan captain | Shoaib Malik |
| Player of the Match | Irfan Pathan |
How Did India Score 157 Runs?
India lost early wickets but Gautam Gambhir kept the innings moving with an important 75 runs from 54 balls. His innings included eight fours and two sixes. He gave India a strong foundation while wickets fell at the other end.
Rohit Sharma added an unbeaten 30 from 16 balls towards the end of the innings. His quick scoring helped India reach 157 for five, giving the bowlers a competitive total to defend.
How Did Pakistan Fall Short of the Target?
Pakistan needed 158 runs to win and remained within reach of the target during much of the chase. The Indian bowlers picked up wickets at important moments and prevented Pakistan from building a decisive partnership.
Irfan Pathan took three wickets for 16 runs, while other Indian bowlers helped maintain pressure. Pakistan’s innings ended at 152 in 19.3 overs, giving India a five run victory.
Top 10 Indian Players Who Contributed to the 2007 T20 World Cup Campaign
India’s first T20 World Cup victory came through contributions from experienced players and emerging performers. The following players had notable roles in the team’s successful campaign.
| Player | Role | Contribution |
| MS Dhoni | Captain and wicketkeeper | Led India to the inaugural title |
| Gautam Gambhir | Batter | Scored 75 in the final |
| Yuvraj Singh | Batter | Hit six sixes in one over against England |
| Irfan Pathan | All rounder | Took 3 wickets for 16 runs in the final |
| Rohit Sharma | Batter | Scored an unbeaten 30 in the final |
| RP Singh | Fast bowler | Contributed important wickets during the tournament |
| Joginder Sharma | Fast bowler | Bowled the decisive final over |
| S Sreesanth | Fast bowler | Caught Misbah ul Haq in the final |
| Harbhajan Singh | Spin bowler | Added experience and bowling support |
| Robin Uthappa | Batter | Played a useful role in India’s batting campaign |
1. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni captained India in the first T20 World Cup and helped the team handle high pressure situations throughout the competition. His leadership was particularly important in the final, where he trusted Joginder Sharma to bowl the last over against Pakistan.
2. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir was India’s leading batter in the final. He scored 75 runs from 54 balls and kept the innings together after India lost wickets. His knock gave the team the platform it needed to post a competitive total.
3. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh produced one of the tournament’s most memorable performances against England. He hit six sixes in an over bowled by Stuart Broad, reaching his half century in just 12 balls. That innings became one of the defining moments of the 2007 competition.
4. Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan delivered a match winning bowling performance in the final. His figures of three wickets for 16 runs put Pakistan under pressure and earned him the Player of the Match award.
5. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma finished the final with an unbeaten 30 from just 16 balls. His late innings contribution helped India move beyond a modest total and gave the bowlers more runs to defend.
6. RP Singh
RP Singh provided India with left arm fast bowling during the tournament. His ability to take wickets and challenge batters with pace made him a useful part of the bowling attack that supported India’s title run.
7. Joginder Sharma
Joginder Sharma became central to the final’s closing moments when Dhoni gave him the responsibility of bowling the last over. Despite the pressure and Misbah ul Haq’s six, Sharma helped India finish the match with the decisive wicket.
8. S Sreesanth
S Sreesanth took the catch that ended Pakistan’s chase. He caught Misbah ul Haq off Joginder Sharma’s bowling, completing India’s five run victory. The moment remains one of the most remembered scenes from the final.
9. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh brought international experience to India’s bowling group. His role in the tournament was part of a balanced attack that combined pace, spin and disciplined bowling under pressure.
10. Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa contributed to India’s batting during the tournament, including a half century against Pakistan in the group stage. His performances helped India progress through a challenging competition and reach the final.
What Happened in the Last Over of the First T20 World Cup Final?
Source: Sports India
The last over of the 2007 final remains one of the most dramatic finishes in T20 World Cup history. Pakistan needed 13 runs from the final six balls, with Misbah ul Haq at the crease and India just one wicket away from victory.
Joginder Sharma bowled the over for India. Misbah hit a six, increasing the pressure on the bowler, but Pakistan still needed more runs to win. Misbah then attempted a scoop shot, and S Sreesanth caught the ball at short fine leg.
Pakistan were all out for 152 in 19.3 overs. India won by five runs and became the first men’s T20 World Cup champions. The final over turned an already close match into an unforgettable cricket moment.
How Many Times Has India Won the T20 World Cup?
India has won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times, in 2007, 2024 and 2026. The team’s latest title came with a victory over New Zealand in the 2026 final. India became the first team to win three men’s T20 World Cup titles and the first to defend the trophy successfully.
- 2007: India defeated Pakistan by five runs in Johannesburg. MS Dhoni captained the team, and Irfan Pathan was named Player of the Match.
- 2024: India defeated South Africa by seven runs in Barbados. Rohit Sharma led the team to its second T20 World Cup title.
- 2026: India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad. India scored 255 for five, while New Zealand made 159. Suryakumar Yadav captained India, and Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Match.
The 2007 victory remains special because it gave India the first title in the tournament’s history. The 2024 and 2026 victories later established India as the first three time champion in the men’s competition.
Why Was India’s First T20 World Cup Victory Important?
India’s 2007 triumph helped establish the team’s reputation in the T20 format. The tournament was still new, and winning the inaugural edition gave Indian cricket a major achievement in a format that would grow rapidly around the world.
The final also showed how quickly a T20 match can change. Gambhir’s batting, Pathan’s bowling and the final wicket combined to produce a narrow victory over Pakistan. Dhoni’s leadership became an important part of the story, while the performances of younger players helped shape India’s future in limited overs cricket.
Conclusion
India won the first T20 World Cup in 2007 by defeating Pakistan by five runs in Johannesburg. Gautam Gambhir scored 75, Irfan Pathan took three wickets and S Sreesanth caught Misbah ul Haq to seal the dramatic final.
India has since won the men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 and 2026 as well, bringing its total to three titles. The 2007 win remains the historic starting point of that journey and one of the most memorable finals in international T20 cricket.
FAQs
India won the first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 by defeating Pakistan by five runs in the final at Johannesburg, South Africa.
MS Dhoni was India’s captain during the 2007 T20 World Cup. He led the team to victory in the inaugural edition.
Irfan Pathan was named Player of the Match after taking three wickets for 16 runs against Pakistan in the 2007 final.
The final was played at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 24 September 2007.
India has won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times: in 2007, 2024 and 2026. The 2026 victory made India the first team to win three titles in the men’s tournament.