Winning a prestigious trophy is often the pinnacle of a cricketer's career. For Indian cricketers, the ICC Cricket World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Indian Premier League (IPL) are the ultimate stages. Here are six Indian cricket legends who have been fortunate enough to win all three of these trophies, cementing their place in Indian cricket history.

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni is undoubtedly the first name on this list. Not only did he captain India to victory in all three tournaments, but he also played pivotal roles in each of them:

  • T20 World Cup (2007): Dhoni led an inexperienced Indian team to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup.
  • 50-over World Cup (2011): Dhoni's leadership culminated in India’s first 50-over World Cup win in 28 years. His match-winning knock in the final was unforgettable.
  • IPL Titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023): As captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dhoni led them to five IPL titles.
  • ICC Champions Trophy (2013): Dhoni also won the prestigious Champions Trophy, making him one of the most successful captains in the history of Indian cricket.

2. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh has been an integral part of India's success in both limited-overs and Test cricket. His contributions:

  • T20 World Cup (2007): Bhajji was key in India’s victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
  • 50-over World Cup (2011): He played a vital role in India's win in the 2011 World Cup.
  • IPL Titles: Harbhajan won the IPL with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, proving his prowess in the domestic league.
  • Champions League T20: Bhajji also won the Champions League T20 with Mumbai Indians.

3. Yuvraj Singh

Known for his all-around contributions, Yuvraj Singh was instrumental in India’s World Cup successes:

  • T20 World Cup (2007): Yuvraj was one of the standout performers in the inaugural T20 World Cup.
  • 50-over World Cup (2011): His all-round performance in the 2011 World Cup earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
  • IPL Title (2016): Although Yuvraj didn't have a consistently successful IPL career, he won the title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, contributing solid performances.

4. Gautam Gambhir

Although not always in the limelight, Gautam Gambhir played a significant role in India’s World Cup victories:

  • T20 World Cup (2007): Gambhir was one of the top scorers in the 2007 T20 World Cup final.
  • 50-over World Cup (2011): He played a crucial knock in the 2011 World Cup final, guiding India to victory.
  • IPL Titles (2012, 2014): Gambhir captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.

5. Piyush Chawla

Though not a headline player, Piyush Chawla was part of the winning squads in both the T20 World Cup (2007) and 50-over World Cup (2011). His contributions were vital in the IPL:

  • IPL Titles: Chawla was a member of the Kolkata Knight Riders team that won the IPL twice. He even played a crucial role in some key moments of the tournament.

6. Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan was a powerful force in Indian cricket, especially in the shorter formats:

  • T20 World Cup (2007): He was part of the victorious squad, even making his debut in the final.
  • 50-over World Cup (2011): Pathan was an essential part of India's World Cup-winning team in 2011.
  • IPL Titles: Yusuf won the IPL with Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, showcasing his all-round abilities.

Conclusion

These legends of Indian cricket not only contributed to India’s World Cup victories but also left an indelible mark in the IPL, India’s premier T20 tournament. Their performances in both international cricket and domestic leagues cement their status as some of the most successful cricketers in Indian history.