Top 3 underdog achievements in the 21st century

#1 India, ICC World Twenty20, 2007

India, ICC World Twenty20, 2007

The start of the Dhoni-era. India had been knocked out of the 50-over World Cup earlier in the year. The seniors had decided to step- away from the World T20 and a new skipper was crowned- MS Dhoni.

India had played just one T20I prior to the inaugural World Twenty20 and under a new leader entered the tournament as underdogs. The first game against Scotland got washed away. The next encounter against Pakistan turned out be an absolute humdinger with the Men in Blue coming up trumps in a bowl-out (3-0).

India found themselves in a tough group in the Super-8 stage with the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and England. A 10-run loss in a high-scoring game against the Kiwis meant they needed to win their remaining two fixtures to entertain any chance of making it to the semi-finals.

India defeated England in the next game, a match best remembered for Yuvraj Singh's 6 sixes off Stuart Broad, and then proceeded to knock hosts South Africa out to set-up a semi-final clash against the mighty Aussies.

Yuvraj was at it again in the semi-finals as his 30-ball-70 took the Men in Blue to a towering 5-187 in 20 overs. At 2-120, with Hayden and Symonds going strong, Australia looked well on course for another ICC event final berth. But Sreesanth (2-12) nipped out Hayden and Symonds followed suit as Dhoni and co. choked the Aussie middle-order to set-up a 15-run run over the 50-over World champions.

And then, came the big day. India vs Pakistan in a World Cup final, and it all came down to 12 off the last over after the Men in Blue had posted 5-158 in 20 overs thanks to Gambir's 77.

Like in the semi-finals, Dhoni tossed the ball to Joginder Sharma. Sharma started with a wide and a six over his head to reduce the equation to 6 off 4 balls. Next ball, Misbah tried to scoop but misjudged the pace and was caught by Sreesanth at short fine-leg to hand India the inaugural ICC World T20.