England and India lock horns in a 3-match ODI series starting on July 12. These two nations have had fine cricketing moments across formats. Most of their significant moments in cricketing history have come against each other. In what will be the final leg of a tour that started last year, both teams will put out their best possible team to challenge each other. In this article, we have discussed on 5 Best IND Vs ENG ODIs Match.
The world champions, England have assembled all their might to challenge visitors, India. It promises to be a high-voltage encounter between these two cricketing heavyweights.
We look back at the Top 5 Best IND Vs ENG ODIs Match:
#5 World Cup 2019, Manchester
India was one of the favourites heading into the tournament. They played like one for most parts of the World Cup. But it was this game where the cracks started appearing for the men in blue. England walked into this contest having lost three games on the trot. Their home World Cup was on the line. Batting first, England put on a show. They smacked Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground. India’s carefully laid plans went awry. It was the first needle in Kohli’s chequered captaincy career.
#4 World Cup 2011, Bengaluru
India won the toss and made a great start. Sachin Tendulkar notched up his 98th international hundred. India at one stage looked good to post a score in excess of 375. But a lower-order collapse saw them finish at 338.
England in reply came out all guns blazing. Their captain, Andrew Strauss smashed 158 to put England in pole position. If not for Zaheer Khan’s two-wicket-burst with the old ball, the match was all but over. The game kept changing hands right until the last ball. It was only fair that the game ended in a tie.
#3 India vs England, Mumbai 2002
It was the first game where the banter between the two sides reached fever ground. Andrew Flintoff led England came from behind to level the 6-match ODI series 3-3. England was trailing 1-3 post the first four games. Hence their comeback seemed commendable. India in the final game was chasing a modest target of 255. They were cruising in the run chase at one stage. But tight bowling and brilliant fielding halted India’s chase.
England won the game by 5 runs. It was Andrew Flintoff who picked the final wicket. He removed his shirt and ran in jubilation. The sight hurt Indian fans. Their team once again floundered in the finals.
#2 Champions Trophy Final, Edgbaston 2013
India had one of the worst pre-match buildups leading into the tournament. They were unsure about their opening combination. Their bowling lineup was inexperienced. But India remained the only team unbeaten in the whole tournament.
In a rain-truncated final that saw the game being reduced to 20 overs per side, India was asked to bat. They huffed and puffed their way to 129. Indian bowlers brought out their A-game helping them lift the title by 5 runs. MS Dhoni became (and to date remains) the only captain to win all ICC trophies!
#1 Natwest Series Final, Lords 2002
India had reached the finals of yet another multination tournament. They had dropped just a single game out of the 6 league matches. But India’s record in the finals was so poor until then that nobody gave India a chance. Not after conceding 325 runs with the ball. No team in cricketing history had chased so much in the final of a multination tournament. At 146-5 in 25 overs, India’s dreams were all but over.
It was at this juncture that Mohammad Kaif joined hands with Yuvraj Singh to pull off one of the most iconic chases of all time. India won the game by 2 wickets in the last over. Zaheer Khan hit the winning runs off Flintoff. Sourav Ganguly, the Indian captain waved his t-shirt from the Lords’ balcony.
History was created! The win remains as fresh as any in the memories of Indian fans!
