5 memorable comeback wins for India in World Cup history

No team ever became champions without having to make a comeback in at least one game. While there are always favourites to win a tournament and skill is a definite requirement to do so, what is even more necessary is the will—a strong mentality that doesn’t give up even when facing defeat.India have won three World Cups, two in the 50 over version and one in the 20 over one, but they didn’t win any of them without having to face the fear of losing it at the brink. Even in the tournaments that they didn’t win, however, they won some games incredibly.Just like Castrol Activ’s Actibonds cling on to the engine and offer protection, these matches saw players stepping up at the right time to help protect the team from defeat.And here are 5 such times India came back from the brink of defeat -

#1 India vs Pakistan group stage 2007

This is the mother of all comebacks by India in a World Cup. By far the most exhilarating encounter these two teams played against each other—and the closest Pakistan ever got to beating their nemesis.

At the end of the day, it was perhaps the mental attitude of being immovable against Pakistan that made India win this game. The target to defend was a mere 142 after India struggled to post a total of 141.

So close, yet so far. At one point, Misbah-ul-Haq made it look like Pakistan would cruise towards the win. Indeed, Pakistan reached the line, but just couldn’t cross it and the game ended in a tie. India didn’t lose a game in which they were on the backfoot for the majority of the time.

In the bowl out, Pakistan missed the stumps on all three occasions and India hit them on all three, giving India the win.

#2 India vs Pakistan 2007 Final

This is the tournament that depicted Dhoni’s bravery as a captain. While many would have disregarded Joginder Sharma, ‘Mahi’ brought the best out of him and that ultimately became the turning point of the tournament.

India were pulled apart by a fiery Umar Gul, who took 3 wickets and gave just 28 runs in the process to confine India to 157. Imran Nazir came out all guns blazing and played in such a way that many thought the match would be over by the 15th over, but Robin Uthappa’s cheekiness in the field ran him out.

It all came down to the penultimate over. Pakistan needed 13 runs off it, but had only one wicket in hand. Joginder Sharma was entrusted with the final over, which shocked many, despite him having a great game. And when Misbah hit Sharma for a six in the 2nd ball of the over, Indian fans were fearing the worst.

But on the very next ball, Misbah tried the scoop and threw away his wicket, giving India the glory they so deserved.

#3 India vs Zimbabwe in 1983

India’s maiden World Cup win in itself is was a comeback after losing their first game. However, it was in this game where India—more accurately, Kapil Dev—showed their preservation qualities.

0, 0, 5, 1, 9… this might look like a telephone number to the readers, but it is not. It is the score of the top 5 players of the Indian batting order—that is how India began their journey against Zimbabwe in the World Cup.

Enter Kapil Dev. The legendary Indian came in at number 6 and scored an unbelievable 175* off just 138 balls, setting the record for the highest individual score in an innings by an Indian in ODIs. From 17 for 5, India went on to make 266, to which Zimbabwe could only respond with 235.

#4 1983 World Cup final vs West Indies

India’s first ever World Cup triumph in 1983 saw them overcome two-time defending champions West Indies in the final. Batting first, India scored a meagre total of 183, despite looking like they would score much more, as the West Indies took wickets at regular intervals.

The West Indians looked to be on track for their third successive World Cup title, as they were comfortably placed at 59/1 with Vivian Richards leading the chase. However, Indian captain Kapil Dev pulled off one of the best catches in World Cup history, sprinting backwards from his square leg position to dismiss Richards.

Good bowling efforts from Mohinder Amarnath and Madan Lal, who both took 3 wickets, changed the way the match was going, helping India get the win to clinch their maiden World Cup.

#5 1996 quarter-final vs Pakistan

This match will forever be remembered for the duel between Venkatesh Prasad and Aamir Sohail. The excitement neighboring this match was enormous, with Pakistani fans more than assured about their chances. And rightly so. They had a superior team to the Sachin-reliant team that India was back then.

However, ironically, it wasn’t Sachin who played a role in his country’s win. India played with a nothing to lose mentality from the very beginning and posted a score that was in the mammoth bracket of those times: 287. Navjot Singh Siddhu’s 93 and Ajar Jadeja’s inferno of 45 off 25 balls helped India to a more than competitive total.

Pakistan, though, were confident and started their innings with a gung-ho approach. In the first 10 overs of the match, they scored 85 runs without losing a wicket.

However, once Aamir Sohail made the mistake of taunting Venkatesh Prasad, the latter clattered the former’s stumps—marking the beginning of India’s comeback andPakistan’s end in that game.