The World Cup 2007 was one of the lowest moments for the Indian cricket team as their first round exit was considered a national tragedy. (The reason why Sachin did not retire 10 years ago !)
India were one of the pre tournament favorites boasting the likes of Sehwag, Ganguly, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Kumble, Laxman and led by the ever dependable Rahul Dravid. Everyone spoke about how their exit at the hands of Sri Lanka was one of their lowest moments but no one felt it as hard as Sachin Tendulkar.
The little master had actually contemplated retiring from the game that he loved so much as he believed that he might not be good enough to continue. He had almost made up his mind when the great Viv Richards gave him a call which changed his mind. (The reason why Sachin did not retire 10 years ago !)
“I would call it (March 23, 2007) one of my worst days in cricket. When you feel you win and end up losing, you are bound to feel terrible. Like the Johannesburg Test (in 1997) when we had to get South Africa out but it rained, the Barbados Test (in 1997) when I was captain and the 1996 World Cup semi-final loss to Sri Lanka.”
“There are such instances when you feel really terrible. The 2007 World Cup was obviously not good for us. We were not over-confident, but you do feel confident about India beating Bangladesh. It was one of those uncertainties of the game” recalled the master blaster. (The reason why Sachin did not retire 10 years ago !)
2007 was a landmark year for Indian cricket as repercussions from this event would change the landscape forever. The World T20 would take place in a few months time and barring a few players, the side sent to South Africa would be a youthful and inexperienced side.
At least in this way when India would fail in South Africa, the BCCI could hide behind the fact this was a young side that was not ready yet.
But Dhoni and his boys had other plans !
