Joginder Sharma: The Hero Behind India’s 2007 T20 World Cup Win

Joginder Sharma, a medium-pacer from Haryana, will forever be remembered for his role in one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history. Born on October 23, 1983, Sharma had a modest international career, but his legacy is cemented due to his pivotal contribution to India’s 2007 ICC T20 World Cup triumph. Though he played only a handful of matches for India, Joginder’s calmness under pressure in the final over of that World Cup gave him a permanent place in the annals of Indian cricket.

Sharma started his domestic career with Haryana and quickly made a name for himself as an all-rounder, capable of contributing with both bat and ball. His domestic performances led to his debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India in 2004. However, opportunities at the international level were limited for him as India already had a strong bowling lineup. His career was seen as one that would likely remain under the radar—until the 2007 T20 World Cup.

The Defining Moment: T20 World Cup Final 2007

The final of the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup between India and Pakistan will always be remembered for its nerve-wracking final over. India, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, had put up a competitive score, and Pakistan needed 13 runs off the last over to win. To everyone’s surprise, Dhoni tossed the ball to Joginder Sharma, a relatively inexperienced bowler at the international level.

Facing the dangerous Misbah-ul-Haq, Sharma delivered one of the most crucial overs in the history of the sport. After being hit for a six, the pressure was immense, but Joginder kept his cool. His third ball led to a fateful misjudged shot by Misbah, resulting in a catch at short fine-leg and sealing India’s victory. That moment turned Joginder Sharma from a lesser-known cricketer into a national hero.

Though his international career didn’t flourish beyond that iconic match, Joginder continued to contribute to Indian domestic cricket. He later shifted focus to a career in law enforcement, joining the Haryana Police as a Deputy Superintendent. His transition from cricket to police work has been equally inspiring, showing his commitment to serving society.

Joginder Sharma’s legacy in Indian cricket is a reminder that sometimes a single moment is enough to etch your name in history. His calmness under pressure, both on and off the field, stands as a symbol of resilience and determination.

Read About his 2007 World cup partner Robin Uthappa here.