Prakash Wakankar

Harbhajan had been in the wilderness still till that tournament began.

Piyush Chawla was someone who was in.

India's current coach, Gautam Gambhir, was actually vice-captain of that tournament.

And having won in 2007, I think the expectations were very high.

But the fact is that in that tight group of four, India couldn't get the two wins that they would have needed at least to be able to qualify.

We did.

And like every tournament, I mean, you mentioned the two Mendeses, but Ajanta Mendes really did set that tournament alight on home pitches.

And there were these remarkable sort of games where from having played the earlier editions in non-Asian conditions, this was the first time it was in playing on what is often called low, slow turning pitches.

And it just brought about that attention.

Additional excitement because I think the average scores dropped.

The ball had a greater say.

Batters weren't just there to try and hit the ball out of the park.

They had to adjust and adapt.

And I think it made for a fantastic tournament.

It really did.

Yes, I mean, you know, what then became IPL folklore, one has to remember, actually began in that tournament, whether it was Dwayne Bravo doing his particular steps or indeed, you know, names like Andre Russell and, of course, Chris Gayle with all his sort of histrionics and the razzmatazz around him and the RCB.

They lit up the IPL, let's be honest.

And I think they earned themselves a phenomenal following.

Coincidentally... You're 2012 Sri Lanka at, Prakash.

Pure coincidence.