MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma. In this article, you look back at 10 of the best of Indian cricket matches from the last 10 years that showed their fighting spirit and ability to triumph against all odds.
India vs Australia Adelaide Test 2014
In the first Test match of the 2014 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, one among India’s most significant moments happened. During the second innings India were bowled out for just 49/5 when chasing a target of 364 runs. However, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane shared a heroic 123 run partnership that gave hope to India. With his masterclass knock of 141 not out, Kohli led India to an unlikely three-wicket win that marked their arrival as a power overseas. This is still seen as one of the finest innings by any Indian batsman on foreign soil.
India vs England T20 World Cup Semi-Final 2022
India played against England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. When the chasing India had reached 66/5, they were struggling to score 169. Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya managed a partnership though. However, it was Ravichandran Ashwin who played the best innings of his life and scored an unbeaten 38 runs off only 17 balls to guide India to the final match. According to their contributions, Pandya’s 63 along with his cameo turned the tables and ensured that India would be playing in another final after nine years of waiting.
India vs Australia Bengaluru Test 2017
Chasing a daunting target of 188 in the fourth innings on a deteriorating Bengaluru pitch, India were reduced to 28/3. But a spirited partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane led India's recovery as they batted for almost 50 overs to take India to the brink of victory. Wriddhiman Saha's counter-attacking 39 then helped India chase down the target with 5 wickets in hand, handing Australia their first series loss in India in over a decade. Pujara was awarded man of the match for his solid knocks in both innings.
India vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2016 Final
In 2016, India faced West Indies in the final of the T20 World Cup in Kolkata. Batting first, West Indies posted a competitive total of 192/6. In reply, India lost wickets at regular intervals but a late onslaught by Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah's cameo took India to the brink. Needing 6 runs off the final over, Carlos Brathwaite was given the ball. But he was smashed for 4 sixes by Pandya, who remained unbeaten on 34-ball 83 to help India lift their second T20 World Cup title in a last-ball thriller.
India vs Australia Dharamshala Test 2017
In the fourth cricket Indian cricket team Test against Australia in Dharamshala in 2017, India were asked to chase a target of 106 in the fourth innings on a deteriorating pitch. But Australia's bowlers made life difficult for the Indian batsmen as they reduced India to 28/4. From there on, a calm and composed Ravindra Jadeja played a match-winning knock of 17 runs off 49 balls to guide India to a 4-wicket victory. His partnership with Wriddhiman Saha helped India complete a memorable 2-1 series victory in their first ever Dharamshala Test.
India vs England Lord's Test 2014
In 2014, India faced England in the second Test at Lord's. Batting first, India were bowled out for a paltry 295. In reply, England amassed 319, taking a 24-run lead. Chasing 310 in the fourth innings, India lost wickets at regular intervals but were kept alive by a fighting knock from Ajinkya Rahane. His 103 off 142 balls took India close, but it was a cameo of 31* from Mohammed Shami that helped India complete a famous 3-wicket win. Shami's match-winning partnership with Rahane is still remembered as one of India's greatest overseas Test victories.
India vs Australia Mohali ODI 2013
In the fifth ODI of the India-Australia series in 2013, MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first. Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 240. Chasing the total, India lost wickets at regular intervals but were kept in the hunt by a fighting knock from Rohit Sharma. Needing 26 off the final over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar smashed a boundary off the first ball. But it was the last ball six by Dhoni that sealed a historic 3-wicket win for India. Dhoni's match-winning knock of 59* is still celebrated as one of his best ODI finishes.
India vs South Africa Johannesburg Test 2018
In the third and final Test against South Africa in 2018, India were set a challenging target of 241 in the fourth innings on a difficult surface. Losing wickets at regular intervals, India were reduced to 126/6. But a fighting 82-run partnership between debutant Hardik Pandya and tailender Mohammed Shami gave India hope. Shami then smashed two sixes in the penultimate over to take India to a series victory. His match-winning knock of 16 runs off 10 balls is still remembered as one of the best cameos by an Indian tailender.
India vs Australia Bengaluru ODI 2013
In the second ODI of the India-Australia series in 2013, Australia posted a challenging total of 272/9. Chasing the total, India lost wickets at regular intervals but were kept in the hunt by a fighting knock from Rohit Sharma. Needing 11 runs off the final over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar smashed a boundary off the first ball. But it was the last ball six by Dhoni that sealed a historic 3-wicket win for India. Dhoni's match-winning knock of 59* is still celebrated as one of his best ODI finishes.
India vs West Indies Port of Spain ODI 2019
Chasing a target of 280 in the third ODI against West Indies in Port of Spain, India found themselves in trouble at 144/4. But a fighting hundred from Shreyas Iyer and late cameo from Rishabh Pant took India close to the target. Needing 5 runs off the final ball, Kedar Jadhav smashed a boundary to hand India a thrilling win. Iyer's 103 and Pant's 39 helped India complete yet another successful chase. The last-ball victory highlighted India's newfound finishing abilities in limited-overs cricket.
Conclusion
The above matches are a testament to India's fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude over the past decade across India cricket match ODI. Be it chasing improbable targets, batting out difficult sessions or pulling off last-over heists, the Indian team has shown time and again why it is regarded as one of the best in the world. As the Indian team continues to grow from strength to strength, more memorable victories are sure to follow in the years to come.
