India and Pakistan are all set to recommence their rivalry on 15th October 2023. The arch-rivals will be competing against each other in the upcoming ICC Men’s 2023 ODI World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry has its own historical significance. Cricket matches between the two nations have always been more than just sports -- a rollercoaster ride of emotions for fans all over the world. The contest between the two nations always feels personal, and the euphoria of India winning can be felt in every Indian household. This is what makes India-Pakistan matches so fascinating to watch.
IND-PAK rivalry is just unmatched in all of the sports because of the fanatic fandom, and political implications it involves. The ripple effects of the past and the ongoing political tensions between the two nations can be felt in sports. Cricket matches between the two nations have produced the highest television ratings in the history of cricket.
Here’s a look at some of the most thrilling India vs Pakistan cricket matches of all time:
IND vs PAK T20 World Cup Final, 2007
India held its nerve to win one of the most memorable and thrilling matches against Pakistan in front of a frenzied crowd at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. By virtue of this historic win, the ‘Men in Blue’ clinched their first World Cup since 1983, albeit in a whole new format.
As India competed in the inaugural T20 World Cup, the team captained by MS Dhoni demonstrated what the "new India" was capable of. The championship game at Wanderers Stadium was a classic. It was full of dips and a surge of emotions for the fans as the match took place between the two biggest rivals in the sport. Both teams were poised for ultimate victory as the game came down to the wire. However, India managed to hold its nerve, winning its first and only T20 World Cup title. It took only one completely mis-timed lethal scoop shot from Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to lose the cup as the ball landed in a safe pair of hands of Sreesanth which locked the memorable victory for India.
Anil Kumble’s 10-wicket haul in IND vs PAK Test, 1999
On February 7, 1999, Anil Kumble shook the cricketing world by becoming only the second bowler, after England's Jim Laker (1956), to take ten wickets in a single Test innings, a feat he attained against arch-nemesis Pakistan. Kumble, also referred to as "Jumbo" in the cricketing world, recorded figures of 4/75 and 10/74 in the second Test in Delhi in Pakistan’s tour of India.
Kumble rattled the Pakistan lineup to set a new cricket record with his incredible 10/74. His magical spell made sure that India bowled out Pakistan for just 207 in their second innings in 60.3 overs. India won this Test by a huge margin of 212 runs.
Venkatesh Prasad vs Aamir Sohail - IND vs PAK ODI World Cup match in 1996
India triumphed in this memorable IND vs PAK ODI World Cup match in 1996, eliminating defending champions Pakistan from contention. The intense exchange between Pakistan's Aamir Sohail and India's Venkatesh Prasad was the highlight of this contest.
During Pakistan's pursuit of India's total of 287 runs, Aamir and Venkatesh engaged in numerous unpleasant exchanges, with the Pakistani southpaw winning the majority of them. Sohail quickly reached 50 in the 15th over and after hitting a four on the wrong side off the fifth ball of Prasad's over, he got into an altercation with the India seamer.
Prasad, who was completely undaunted, dismissed Sohail in the very next delivery and made sure the rival team was knocked out of the World Cup. Sohail's dismissal was the game changing moment as Pakistannever gained momentum from here onwards, eventually losing the match by 39 runs.
Sachin’s explosive knock in IND vs PAK ODI World Cup 2003 match
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar played one of the greatest innings of his career in India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup 2003 match at Centurion. Team India, chasing Pakistan's competing total of 274 runs for the win, pushed their opponents on backfoot right from the very beginning of their innings as Sachin played some aggressive strokes that completely destroyed Pakistan. He smashed 98 runs off just 75 balls, punishing Pakistan's front-line bowlers by hitting them for fours and sixes.
Even though Tendulkar missed his century by just two runs, that did not prevent India from attaining a sensational win.
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 in India vs Pakistan T20 World 2022 match
Former skipper Virat Kohli unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2023 will surely remain thoroughly etched in every Indian fan's memory for a very long time.
India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2023 match in Australia's Melbourne saw Virat playing one of the greatest knocks in the history of T20 cricket. India was reeling at 31/4 in the 160-run chase after losing quick wickets. Kohli held one end and was the aggressor in a 113-run partnership with Hardik Pandya (40). When India needed 28 runs off final 8 deliveries to win the game, Kohli struck Haris Rauf for two amazing sixes off consecutive balls, shifting the momentum completely in India's favour that set the stage of a glorious triumph.
Eventually, India won the match by 4 wickets as Ravichandran Ashwin hit the winning run, cleverly leaving the ball go for a wide.