T20 World Cup 2007: Sreesanth on Dhoni manifesting success, Joginder’s final over in remaining and Uthappa’s bowl-out antics

India fast-bowler S. Sreesanth, member of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning group, shared his expertise of being part of a younger dressing room and taking part in a brand new format beneath newly-appointed captain MS Dhoni in Sportstar’s newest episode of Wednesdays with WV.

“It was excellent as a result of there was no concern then. We misplaced the 2007 ODI World Cup and I used to be part of it. What’s humorous is that Irfan Pathan and I weren’t chosen for the NatWest Series that occurred that yr however we each have been chosen within the T20 World Cup squad. It was extra like ‘Chalo yaar, let’s go and have some enjoyable there too,’” he mentioned.

Nicely-planned group

Approaching the heels of the 2007 ODI World Cup debacle in West Indies, the place India, beneath captain Rahul Dravid, was knocked out within the group stage, the group administration determined to ship a younger contingent to South Africa for the inaugural T20 World Cup.

“It was extra like a group which was chosen to perhaps lose the World Cup and I keep in mind Niranjan sir (Niranjan Shah, then BCCI Secretary) by no means needed this group to go for the World Cup as a result of they by no means believed within the T20 format. Once we reached South Africa, I clearly keep in mind in Durban, we have been underrated so badly that we have been in contrast with Zimbabwe. We by no means considered successful there, we solely needed to go and play as a result of our high three gamers weren’t within the group. Sachin paji (Sachin Tendulkar), Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid weren’t there. Zaheer Khan additionally couldn’t make it however Dhoni- bhai had immense perception in that younger group. He was extra like, ‘What is going to occur if we don’t make it? It’ll be an expertise,’” Sreesanth mentioned.

“However one factor I can guarantee you is that we have been disciplined from day one. I keep in mind us going to the seashore on the primary day. Dhoni and the others made certain we adopted sure routines and we didn’t take it simple. We had a correct coaching regime, we by no means missed a coaching session even when it was drizzling. We have been a really well-planned group in 2007,” he added.  

Nervy end

India’s marketing campaign was off to a memorable begin in opposition to archrival Pakistan as each groups have been engaged within the first-ever bowl-out after the match was tied. India finally prevailed as Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Robin Uthappa hit the stumps whereas Pakistan’s Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi missed.

“He (Robin Uthappa) was so good at hitting the stumps. I used to be struggling, RP (Singh) was struggling as a result of we have been bowling outswingers and it was bouncing over the stumps even after we have been bowling from the stump line. Even once I skilled in Kerala within the nets, I didn’t bowl that up with the brand new ball in T20s, so the lengths which we bowled in these (South African) situations have been truly going excessive. The best way I inform Robbie is that ‘you bowled overpitched balls as a result of it’s simpler for you’ and I’ll let you know what, he hit 99 balls out of 100 after we did the bowl-out follow,” the 39-year-old mentioned.

Manifesting success

Sreesanth additionally hailed Dhoni’s means to evaluate his gamers and defined the choice to offer the final over to Joginder Sharma within the remaining in opposition to Pakistan, which wanted 13 runs off the final six balls with one wicket in hand.

“The factor is that the plans which he (Dhoni) made have been there within the floor. It’s not like an enormous group assembly the place you determine ‘this man will bowl this over, this man will bat at this place’. No. He simply went into the sport and he’s simply bought a powerful instinct which he believes in and that is likely one of the causes that Jogi-bhai (Joginder Sharma) bought the final over within the remaining. The best way I see it's that he is aware of Joginder Sharma from the ONGC days the place he performed a variety of matches. He knew precisely what he was doing and he had immense religion in these cricketers. Even when he used to come back and provides the ball to me, he used to say, ‘Sree, simply get the wicket.’

“He at all times needed me to go for the wicket somewhat than saving runs. I’ll let you know an occasion, in a single match, AB de Villiers got here in to bat and I bought him LBW. I appealed and it wasn’t given. So, once I walked again I keep in mind the dialog with Dhoni-bhai. He mentioned, ‘Bowl that ball as soon as once more, don’t attempt to save the runs, don’t fear you’ll get him out once more’. He was one who at all times used to inform what he noticed and he solely noticed success at it. I believe that’s his greatest plus level. He manifests solely success.”