It doesn’t matter whether you are a cricket fan or not but whenever it’s an India vs Pakistan match, we Indians turn extra possessive for our country and all chant,”Jeetege Bhai Jeetega, India Jeetega.” At that point, be it the players on the field or fans watching the game, the excitement levels are at peak and the utter patriotism within all of us comes out. Though in the recent times, the number of Indo-Pak clashes have minimised due to the diplomatic and cross-border issue. But whenever these arch rivals face each other, it’s nothing less that a war.
Right from the time when both the nations became prominent participants of cricket tournaments on an international platform, India vs Pakistan has remained the most followed game. While the chronicles of India vs Pakistan games are never ending but ahead of June 4, when both the nations will play yet another time in the Champions Trophy 2017, here are top 5 clashes which will replenish your memories.
April 18, 1986, Sharjah, Pakistan won by 1 wicket
The final of the Australasia Cup. With a superb knock of 92 runs by Sunil Gavaskar and Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s 75, India put a tough score of 245 runs on the board. Pakistan fought hard to chase the target and thanks to Javed Miandad who hit Chetan Sharma for a six in the last ball to win the game for Pakistan. Miandad remained not out and played a superb knock of 116 runs.
March 1, 2003, Centurion – India win by 6 wickets
One of the most memorable matches between India and Pakistan and that too in the World Cups. The World Cup 2003 was very crucial for India as they reached the finals but couldn’t win it. However, the India vs Pakistan game in South Africa was the best in the entire series. Pakistan set a target of 274 runs for India to chase while Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar played a phenomenal inning of 98 off 75 balls and helped India to win by 6 wickets.
P.S: How could you forget the Sachin’s six to Shoaib Akhtar which was also featured in Sachin’s biopic, Sachin: A Billion Dreams.
March 30, 2011, Mohali – India won by 29 runs
Another World Cup, another Indo-Pak face-off. But this was the most special one among all as it was the Semi-Final. A huge number of crowing including Bollywood stars. the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and many many other politicians from both the nation were present in Mohali to watch the game. India batted first and set a target of 261 runs for the rivals. In return, Pakistan got all out for 231 and India entered the finals.
March 2, 2014, Dhaka – Pakistan won by one wicket
The game was almost a semi-final as the winner would have played Sri Lanka in the finals. India after batting first managed to post 245 runs on the board after three half-centuries coming from the bats of Rohit Sharma (56), Ambati Rayudu (58) and Ravindra Jadeja (52). But the day turned out to be Pakistan’s as Shahid Afridi played a swashbuckling knock and led his team to victory by 1 wicket.
February 15, 2015, Adelaide Oval – India won by 76 runs
The latest ‘World Cup wala war’ where once again team India led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni defeated their arch rivals on a neutral track. With Virat Kohli’s magnificent hundred and superb knocks of 70+ runs by Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, India managed to put 300 runs on the board. Later, while chasing, Pakistan lost the plot midway and lost the game by 76 runs.
Every time, the anxiety and pressure on both sides are uncomparable. But with the Pakistani fans, sometimes the things become weird when they break their TV sets out of rage after India beats Pakistan. And that is the best moment when we feel proud of ourselves being Indian.
All the best to both the teams!
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