Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Special: Why ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Was Such a Nightmare for Master Blaster and Team India

After a terrific World Cup in 2003, where India reached the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup thanks to great bowling performance and brilliant batting by Sachin Tendulkar in the series, team India went into the 2007 Cricket World Cup as strong favourites to lift the trophy. However, India had to endure a terrible World Cup and what was once a realistic dream turned out to be a nightmare for both India and Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. In this fifth instalment of the six-part series on Sachin Tendulkar's World Cup journey, we revisit the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 hosted by West Indies, which turned out to be one of the most disappointing and controversial World Cups for India. Schedule of Team India at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: List of Indian Team’s Matches, Time Table, Date, Venue and Squad Details.

There were a total of 16 International teams competing in the tournament which were initially divided into four groups with four teams in each group. The format of this World Cup was that the two best-performing teams from each group moved to the "Super 8" round and competed for the semi-finals position. Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Special: Remembering Arrival of the Master Blaster at Cricket's Biggest Stage at Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992, Watch Video.

India started their 2007 World Cup campaign against a spirited Bangladesh side determined to go the distance. India were the clear favourites going into the match but the result of the game could not be more shocking. India won the toss and chose to bat first at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain. Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Special: Master Blaster Lights-Up Wills World Cup 1996 With His Run Feast, Watch Videos. 

Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag opened the batting but India lost quick wickets. There was dispute regarding Sachin's batting position coming into the World Cup as then coach Greg Chappell felt that Sachin should bat down the order. Sachin came to bat at No 4 position but could score only seven runs. Though Ganguly (66) tried to resurrect India's innings along with Yuvraj Singh, India were all out 191. Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Special: Master Blaster Suffers Personal Loss, Returns to Score an Emotional Hundred in 1999 Cricket World Cup; Watch Video.

In reply, Bangladesh were propelled to victory as Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan scored half-centuries. Bangladesh won by 5 wickets with 9 balls remaining. Bangladesh had gone into a frenzy and India were shocked in the very first match. Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Special: The Master Plays Splendid Knocks Against Pakistan and Other Teams to Help India Reach Final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, Watch Videos.

After defeat to Afghanistan, India had to win both the matches in the group stage to qualify for the Super 8 round. After Bangladesh, India faced newbies Bermuda at the Port of Spain. However, there were no upsets in the store here. Bermuda won the toss and put India to bat first. India accepted the offer with open arms and hit 413/5 in 50 overs. This was the highest total by a side in the World Cups before Australia hit Afghanistan 417/5 in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. India won the match by 257 runs as Bermuda were all out for 156. Sachin scored 29 balls 57 and remained unbeaten in this match. Fans were happy to see the master at his fluent best in the World Cup.

India faced Sri Lanka in a must-win game in order to reach the Super 8 and survive in the World Cup 2007. Rahul Dravid, the Indian skipper, won the toss and chose to field first. Sri Lanka were restricted for 254/6 and India needed 255 to win the match. However, India got off to a bad start and never quite recovered, losing wickets at regular intervals. Sachin was out for a duck in this match and was clean bowled up Dilhara Fernando. His stay on the crease lasted only three deliveries.

India were bowled out for 185 by Sri Lanka. The island nation had won the match by 69 runs and knocked India out of the World Cup. Not just India, but the whole of the cricket world was shocked by what had happened.

Watch Sachin Tendulkar's Fifty Against Bermuda and His Mode of Dismissals in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007

Both India and Pakistan were delivered a knockout punch in the 2007 World Cup in the group stages. The major upsets meant that the much anticipated India vs Pakistan match at the ICC Cricket World Cup would not take place in the tournament for the first time since 1992 World Cup. Sachin's dream of winning the World Cup for India would have to wait another 4 years. The death of Pakistan National Cricket team coach Bob Woolmer in a hotel room during the World Cup became a talking point which attracted immense media scrutiny, making the 2007 edition a most controversial one. Australia went on to complete their hat-trick of victory by beating Sri Lanka in the final and collected three straight World Cup trophies of 1999, 2003 and 2007.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2019 06:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).