A sport, in India, for all its glory and popularity has often been chastised for the lack of trophies that the representing country holds. There can be certain moments that present a sense of contentment to the fans as well as the players. The Indian team is known to have produced frequent occurrences of the individual as well as collective brilliance to win matches.
India winning the 1983 World Cup: India’s victory in the 1983 World Cup was one of the most significant occasions in Indian cricket history. It was a time when the Indian cricket team was not considered one of the best ODI teams in the world, but the 1983 World Cup changed everything. During the final at Lord’s, Kapil Dev led the Indian team against the West Indies, the two-time world champions and widely regarded as the best team in the world. India stunned the world by defeating the hat-trick-winning West Indies.
Natwest Final at Lords 2002: Everyone on the streets cheered and danced like Ganguly as Kaif and Yuvraj’s famous partnership propelled India to a spectacular, historic triumph. Team India grew more aggressive and purposeful under Sourav Ganguly’s guidance. India was expected to chase down a seemingly unachievable target of 326 runs for a win in the last match against the England cricket team. Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh took control of the situation and led the team on an incredible run chase. What followed is still imprinted in everyone’s mind: Ganguly removing his shirt and waving it on the Lord’s dressing room balcony.
India vs Pakistan T20 Final 2007: “In the air, Sreesanth takes it!” is one of those phrases that will stick with you forever. India was victorious, and the scenes at the Bull Ring were incredible! It’s difficult to forget how loud everyone screamed in the previous over. Epic! T20 cricket got off to a swashbuckling start for India as they won the T20 World Cup in 2007. For the first time, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was captaining India in this competition. The Indian Premier League was born as a result of this landmark World Cup victory in the World Cup T20 event, and it has since grown to become one of the top leagues in the world.
Yuvi’s Six Sixes: Nothing compares to the chills that moment brought. Yuvraj Singh, a former India all-rounder, made history on September 19, 2007, when he became the first batter to knock six consecutive sixes in an over in a T20I match during the first T20 World Cup. Yuvraj took Broad to the cleaners in the 19th over of India’s innings, blasting him for six sixes in all corners of the stadium to lift India’s total over the 200-run barrier.
India vs Sri Lanka 2011 Final: Forgetting this moment should be a literal crime. You’ll forget most nights, but not that one. When “Dhoni finishes it off in style! India wins the World Cup after 28 years!” – literally a million cheers and goosebumps. During the 2011 World Cup, there were a lot of noteworthy things that happened. It was Sachin Tendulkar’s final World Cup, and it was taking place on Indian soil. Sachin Tendulkar delivered a typical Tendulkar performance, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh captured hearts with their heroics, and MS Dhoni’s incredible captaincy, including his winning sixer, enabled India to win the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
India lifting the Champions Trophy 2013: A momentous occasion that almost wasn’t meant to be. India and England came agonizingly close to having their names stuck together as joint champions before the match was allowed to begin; courtesy, the eventual stoppage of rain. After having struggled through their way to an under-par score, the hosts have considered favourites before a game-changing over from Ishant Sharma that resulted in 2 quick dismissals left England reeling despite having come so close to the chase. In the final over, Ashwin weaved his magic and won India the game with the last ball. “Tredwell misses and team India is the new champions.”
These are just a few moments, but our team never disappoints! There’s more to come home!