India’s Most Memorable Semifinal Games
India topped their group to qualify for the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2022. It was for the fourth time in eight editions that the Indian team made it to the knockouts. India has twice crossed the semis hurdle while fumbling once so far in T20 World Cups. The team has made it to the semifinals 7 times in ODI World Cups. Let us look at India’s Most Memorable Semifinal Games in World Cups.
India will be facing England in the semis at Adelaide. These two sides will be facing each other after 35 long years in the semifinals. The last time India defeated England in the semis in 1983 they went on to win the trophy. India will be keen to repeat the feat.
We look at India’s most memorable semifinal games:
#1 The epoch-breaking win in 1983
It was for the first time that India made it to the semifinals of a cricket World Cup in 1983. India was up against hosts England in the semis. Not many had given the Indian team a chance to get past England. They restricted England’s batting to 213.
India in response traded flamboyance for conservatism. They came out all guns blazing. Mohinder Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma, and Sandeep Patil all broke free to help India to a famous win. India later went on to win the World Cup defeating two-time defending champions, West Indies.
#2 The world-defying win in 2007
India’s T20 campaign in 2007 pretty much mirrored their journey in 1983. They walked into the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 as rank outsiders. India had just played a single T20I before the T20 World Cup. They surpassed all expectations to enter the semifinals.
India’s opponents were Australia, four-time ODI World Cup champions. It was supposed to be a no-contest. But India put on a splendid display to stun the Aussies. India then beat Pakistan in a dramatic final to win the inaugural T20 World Cup.
#3 The win over arch-rivals in 2011
It was more than just a game as hosts India took on arch-rivals, Pakistan in the semifinals of the 2011 ODI World Cup. They were arguably the two best teams in the competition. The stakes were at an all-time high as leaders from both nations gathered to watch the match.
India overcame expectations, opposition, and pressure to win a memorable game of cricket. This win helped India in the finals as they romped home to ODI World Cup after 28 years.
#4 The chase conquest in 2014
It was the last instance where India won a semifinal game. In 3 instances post this game, India all games of semi-finals across World Cups. India’s last win in a semifinal came in the 2014 T20 World Cup when Virat Kohli turbocharged India to the finals. South Africa posted a huge score of 172 batting first.
India’s chase appeared to be going nowhere until Kohli took matters into his own hands. He supremely controlled the run-chase scoring 72 not-out off 44 balls. India went on to play the finals albeit they ended up on the wrong side there.
