India-Pakistan games have always brought out the best in players. Their face-offs especially in a venue like Sharjah evoked great emotions. Pakistan had the upper hand in the previous century. But the pendulum has clearly swung in India’s favour at the turn of this century. The young Indian Players Who Always Excel Against Pakistan. They have taken a liking for their fiercest rivals.
We look at 5 such Indian Players Who Always Excel Against Pakistan:
#5 Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma announced his arrival in world cricket with a crackling cameo in the T20 World Cup final. He smashed a 16 ball 30 to propel India to a par score. Sharma since then has seized crucial moments in his battle against Pakistan. His 140 against Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup set India’s World Cup campaign on track.
#4 Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir is a proud Indian cricketer. He wore his heart on his sleeves especially while playing against Pakistan. India wouldn’t have won the T20 World Cup if not for Gambhir’s valiant 75 in the finals. He then smashed crucial runs in an Asia cup encounter against Pakistan. Gambhir has always been a flesh-in-the-thorn for Pakistan.
#3 Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag became the first Indian player to smash a triple century in Tests. His knock of 309 came against Pakistan in Multan in 2004. Sehwag was always known to bring his A-game against Pakistan. He provided quickfire starts for India across formats. It was Sehwag who provided India with early momentum in the 2011 World Cup semifinal. He took apart Pakistan’s bowling mainstay, Umar Gul.
#2 Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli simply loves playing against Pakistan. He is yet to be dismissed in a T20 World Cup game against Pakistan. Kohli’s dominance against Pakistan reflects in his numbers. He smashed 183 in an ODI run chase against the arch-rivals in a crucial Asia cup game. Kohli then scored a brilliant 100 in India’s opening encounter in the 2015 World Cup.
#1 Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar switched on his brutal best against the arch-rivals. Tendulkar smashed 136 with a broken back against arch-rivals in Chennai (1999). It was Tendulkar who kickstarted India’s World Cup domination over Pakistan in 1992 with a match-winning contribution. But it was his epic knock of 98 in the 2003 World Cup that has stood the test of time. His innings was one for the ages. Tendulkar capped off his 6th World Cup with a player of the match performance in the World Cup semifinal against Pakistan.
