When I decided to dig into the 2013 Champions Trophy India squad, honestly? Just wanted to see if they really choked or got unlucky. Grabbed my dusty laptop first thing Sunday morning while coffee brewed.
Starting Point: Roster Review
Cracked open ESPN archives. Googled “India CT 2013 squad list” and boom—names popped up. Dhoni captain? Obviously. But seeing Shikhar Dhawan listed surprised me. Dude was basically fresh off the boat back then!
- Openers: Rohit Sharma + Dhawan (who even knew this duo?)
- Spin Kings: Jadeja & Ashwin hunting together
- Pace Attack: Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvi still green
Scratched my head hard. This bowling lineup felt thinner than my patience on Monday mornings.
Match-by-Match Grind
Pulled up scorecards like a detective solving cold cases. South Africa first:
- Dhawan ton (WHAT?!)
- Jadeja taking 2/27 while choking runs
- Whole team popping champagne after winning by 26 runs
West Indies clash got messy though:
- Dhawan slammed another century (madman!)
- But Kemar Roach ripped through middle order
- Ravindra Jadeja saved our butts smashing 47 off 29
Semi-final against Sri Lanka still gives chills:
- Ishant’s 4/34 magically erased their middle order
- Pitches slow… spinners feasting… MSD smiling like chess master
Final Tragedy
Saved England clash for last. Opened Cricinfo replay with shaky hands.
- Pietersen caught behind early? Fist pumped!
- Then Morgan/Bopara partnership… knots in stomach
- Rained 20 overs. Duckworth-Lewis screwed us. Target dipped to 20 off 16 balls…
- Ashwin MISSED stumping chance off Tredwell. Still haunts me!
Slammed my notebook shut. Felt that loss fresh after ten damn years. Young bowling unit choked when drizzle became downpour.
So did they fail? Nope. Reached freaking FINAL with kids and part-timers. But man… dropping that trophy hurts worse than stepping on Lego barefoot.
