10 greatest ODI wins by Indian cricket team

India played their first One Day International (ODI), at Leeds, in July 1974. They secured their first win in the format the following year, against East Africa in the 1975 World Cup.Over the years, India have won numerous one day matches, some of which are etched in people’s memories till date. Here’s a list of India of them.

#10 India v Pakistan final, 1985 World Championship of Cricket

The victorious Indian Cricket team at the MCG

Electing to bat first, Pakistan got off to a terrible start losing 4 wickets quickly.Javed Miandad and Imran Khan put a 68-run stand before the latter was dismissed. None of the batsmen got going after that,and they eventually finished at 176 for 9 in their 50 overs with Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Kapil Dev picking up 3 wickets each.

India needed a good start in their run chase,and Ravi Shastri and Krish Srikkanth provided their sidewith just that, putting 103 for the first wicket. Srikkanth was dismissed for 67, but Shastri, in the company of fellow Mumbaikar, finished the game for the Indiansto help his side secure a famous win over their arch-rivals.

#9 India v Pakistan 2011, World cup semi-final, Mohali

India ecstatic after their win over Pakistan

The streets were empty. All shops closed. Schools and Colleges had declared half-days.

Opting to bat first in this high-pressure game, India got off to a brisk start with Virender Sehwag leading the way. However, the pressure of the contest had got to everyone, barring him.

Sachin Tendulkar was playing a scratchy innings, surviving several close calls. What helped his and Indias cause that day was that the Pakistani fielders kept dropping him. Before he waseventually caught on the 7th attempt, he had racked up 85 runs, that eventually made the difference.

Suresh Raina played a crucial knock in the end to help India reach 260 for 6 at the end of their 50 overs.

Pakistan started their chase in a steady fashionbefore losing 4 wickets quickywith 103 runs on the board. Umar Akmal, then, threatened to take the match away from India, but a quicker delivery from Harbhajan ended his stay in the middle.

None of the other Pakistani batsmen managed to put up any score of substance after that with the exception of Misbah-ul-Haq, whose efforts bore no fruits as India sealed a comfortable victory eventually.

#8 India v Australia, CB Series final Brisbane 2008

Indian team in Australia

An Indian team, largely consisting of youngsters, had made it to the final of the CB series against Australia, playing a fearless brand of cricket.

Due to an excellent bowling performance and a fine hundred by Sachin Tendulkar, the men in blue were 1-0 up in the best of 3 finals.

Heading into Brisbane for the second final, the Australians knew that their task was cut out,while a confident India knew they were on the verge of achieving something special.

Batting first, India posted a competitive 258 for 9 in their 50 overs, thanksagain to Sachin Tendulkars fine 91.

Praveen Kumar struck early for the Indians, removing Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke early. Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds stitched together a decent stand before both fell in quick successions.

James Hopeskept his side in the game with some lusty blows, before Piyush Chawla got the better of him.

#7 India v Pakistan, Samsung Cup 2004

A jubilant Indian team after beating Pakistan

The ODI series was locked at 2-2 heading into the final game at Lahore.Put into bat, India posted a score of 293 for 7,thanks to a hundred from V.V.S Laxman.

Pakistan didnt start off well,and,when Inzamam was caught by Sachin Tendulkarinches from the boundary rope, the end seemed to be nearfor the home team.

However, no Indo-Pak game is complete until the last ball is bowled,and this one was no different. Shoaib Malik and Moin Khan put on 99 for the 7thwicket to keep the match alive.But when Malik was dismissedand the tail failed to provide support to Moin, India knew that the win wasn't far away.

The wicket-keeper was the last man to go, bowled by Balaji for 72, sparking wild celebrations in the Indian camp as they had secured a series win inPakistan soil after 15 years.

#6 India v England, 2013 Champions Trophy Final

Indian teamcelebrates after winning the Champions Trophy

India had cruised their way into the final winning each of their matches comprehensively. England, too, had beaten South Africa in the semi-final and put up good performances in the other matches.

However, heavyrain at Edgbaston that daymeant that the final was reduced to 20 overs a side game played under 50 overs rules.

Put into bat, India did not get off to the best of starts losing Rohit Sharma early. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli then put on 31 before the former was dismissed.

India were in a bit of a bother at 66 for 5 with Dhoni gone and needed some impetus to their innings.That was provided by Ravindra Jadeja,and he and Virat Kohli gave India the much-needed push to help their side to129 for 7 at the end of their 20 overs.

England lost Cook early in their chase,and,when Trott was gone to a ball that turned a bit off Ashwin, Dhoni knew he was in familiar territory here. Root and Bell also went quickly to leavetheir side in trouble, at 46 for 4.

Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara then launched a counterattackto get England 20 runs short before a magical over from Ishant Sharmawhere he picked up 2 wickets off 2 balls and completely shiftedthe balance in Indias favour.

Jadeja got rid off Jos Buttler,and, when James Tredwell failed to connectwith six needed off the last ball, the win was sealed;MS Dhoni had become the first international captain to win all major trophies.

#5 India v Australia final, Coca-Cola Trophy 1998

India had reached the final of the Coca-Cola trophy,thanks to Sachin Tendulkars brilliant 143 in the last match of the league stages that ensured qualification. On the day of the final, India had tochase 273 tolift the trophy,and they needed Tendulkar to fire again.

For the second time in 3 days, Tendulkar scored another ton, demolishingthe Australian attack consisting of DamienFleming, Michael Kasprowicz, TomMoody and ShaneWarne to all corners of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, tohelp India achieve a memorable win over the Aussies.

#4 India v Pakistan, Centurion, World cup 2003

Indians celebrate the fall of Inzamam

Buoyed by an excellent win over England, India entered their game versus arch-rivalsPakistan, high on confidence. Electing to bat first, Pakistan registered 273 for 7 in 50 overs with Saeed Anwar scoring a fine 101.

India came out all guns blazing with Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag tearing into the Pakistanbowling attack. Tendulkar, especially,was ruthless on the Pakistan quicks, smashing them to all parts of the Supersport park. However, hefell two short of what would have been amemorable hundred.It was, then,up toRahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh to take India home, and the duo did their job to perfection.

#3 India v England, 2002 Natwest final Lord\'s

India celebrate yet another famous win at Lords

India had been most consistent side in the whole tournament heading into the final, againstEngland. Opting to bat first, England,thanks to centuries fromMarcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain, set a target of 326.

Coming out to chase, India needed a good start,and Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag gave them just that. 100 came up inside the first 15 overs,andIndia were well on course in the chase.

But quick wickets dented Indias progress,and at 146 for 5 with Sehwag, Ganguly, Dinesh Mongia, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar all gone,even the most hopeful of Indian fans had lost hopes of a win.

But young TurksYuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif had other ideas,and,in a display of exceptional stroke-play and admirable composure, they helped their side claw back into the game.

Yuvraj was dismissed for 69, but Kaif carried on, getting crucial support from Harbhajan along the way.

India needed two runs in the finalover,and,when Zaheer Khan knocked a full toss to the covers and scampered for arun off an over throw, an incredible win was complete.The sight of Sourav Ganguly waving his shirt at the Lords balcony is something only afew fans would forget.

#2 India v Sri Lanka, World cup 2011 final, Mumbai

India- Champions for the second time

India had reached their third final in thehistory of the World cup, and their first one after 8 years. Electing to bat, Sri Lanka posted a more thancompetitive274 for 6 in 50 overs with Mahela Jayawardenescoring a majestic 103 not out.

India started off their chaseshakily, losing both the openers inside the first 10 overs. However Gautam Gambhir, first in the company of Virat Kohli and later MS Dhoni, got India back into the game.

Gambhir was unlucky to missout on a hundred by 3 runs, butMS Dhoni carried on and completed the game bysmashingNuwan Kulasekara for a six over long on to helpIndiabecome World champions for the second time.

#1 India v West Indies, 1983 World Cup final

Kapil Dev with the trophy

Opting to bat first, India did not get off to the greatest ofstarts, losingSunil Gavaskar early. K Srikkanth and Yashpal Sharma steadied the ship for a while before the former was dismissed for 38.None of the Indian batsmen got going after that as the West Indian pacerstook wickets at regular intervals to peg India back.

India eventually were all outfor183 and were staring at a certain defeat when Vivian Richards was at the crease. However, an excellent catch fromKapil Devended Richardss stay in the middle. India began to strike regularly,and,when last man Michael Holding was trapped in frontby Mohinder Amarnath, the result that looked highly unlikely at the half-way mark was dished out.

India had beaten the West Indies by 43 runs to winthe World Cup for the first time in thehistory of the game.