India-England World Cup Games
India-England World Cup Games: It will be 35 years since India last played England in a World Cup semifinal. These are arguably the two best white-ball sides in world cricket currently. England for all its prowess in limited-overs cricket has just two World Cups to show so far.
India on the other hand has three World Cups to its name. Only one of these two giants will progress to the finals. Ahead of this crucial game, we look at similar high-profile India-England games in the World Cups.
#5 World Cup league match, 2019
England’s home World Cup was on the line. A string of three defeats had almost derailed their campaign. They had to win against India to stay in contention. England winning the toss put on a scintillating display. They hammered their way to 337 showcasing their real potential. England’s new-ball bowlers showed immense discipline to cage India’s top order.
Rohit Sharma hit a fine century but couldn’t add much beyond it. England prevailed over India with their death bowlers taking the game away from India’s famed finishers. The home team then won the World Cup without dropping a single game.
#4 World Cup league match, 2003
India didn’t have the best of starts to the World Cup. They were in a must-win situation in the game against England. India put up a par score of 250 batting first on a spicy Durban wicket. But it was the Indian bowling and fielding that stole the show under lights.
Mohammad Kaif affected one of the best runouts in World Cup setting up the game. Ashish Nehra then bowled a dream spell taking 6 wickets for 23 runs. India won the game comfortably thereby asserting their status of being one of the favourites for the competition.
#3 World Cup semifinal, 1987
India was expected to get the better of England at the Wankhede in Mumbai in the 1987 World Cup semi-finals. It would have been their second successive final had they won the game. But England played a clinical game of cricket to oust the home team. India wasn’t disciplined enough on the big day to seize the momentum.
#2 Champions Trophy Final, 2013
It was ironic that the final of the ODI Champions Trophy was reduced to a 20-overs per-side contest. Under overcast conditions, England put India in to bat. India scraped their way to 129. Their bowlers though rose to the occasion, especially their spinners who choked England under pressure. The win added the final silverware to MS Dhoni’s cabinet. He became the first and remains the only captain to win all ICC trophies.
#1 World Cup semifinal, 1983
If India’s World Cup final win over West Indies was momentous then its seeds were laid in the semifinal game against England. India restricted a powerful England batting lineup to 213. The English team though fancied its chances against India. India’s middle order fired in unison to power India into the finals. Their stroke play bore the signs of liberation. It was a telling chase that saw India arrive on the world stage.
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