The 4 most significant ODI wins for India outside ICC tournaments post-2000 

Often a mediocre team in the early 2000s, India were a power house at home but pushovers away, especially in big finals. It was after the match fixing scandal in 2000 that India became a force to reckon with in ODIs under Sourav Ganguly's captaincy.

Since then, the subsequent captains Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have ensured India have been a consistent force in ODIs till date.

Here we look at 5 of India's greatest ODI wins since 2000 excluding the wins in ICC tournaments:

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1.India vs England, Natwest series Finals, Lords, 2002

The most remarkable victory by India on a famous evening at Lords

The match which is believed by many as the beginning of India's dominance in ODIs, especially because it came in a big final, took place at the famous Home of Cricket, Lords.

Leading into the match, Team India under Sourav Ganguly had a bunch of talented youngsters like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Zaheer Khan along with the senior pros in Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble who had been playing some of their best cricket at the time.

However, questions remained about their ability to perform in the big match given their miserable finals record till then. Opting to bat, England made a huge 325-5 in their 50 overs making it seem like the match was all but finished and another morale sapping defeat was waiting for the Indians.

Then, came the Indian reply full of bravery and intent, something unseen in former Indian teams with Sehwag and Ganguly smashing the English bowlers to all parts and racking up a 100 partnership in no time.

Suddenly, just when the whole of India started to believe, the ever so familiar collapse came to the fore, bringing back the old, unpleasant memories as India were reduced from 106-0 to 146-5 with the big guns all back into the hut.

The sight of a dejected Sourav Ganguly walking into the rooms inside the balcony symbolized another familiar script for India in the finale. Then slowly two youngsters Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Faif started milking the singles, running hard for twos and stringing together a partnership. As the 200 came up, then the 250, whole of India started to believe albeit only as a wild dream that something miraculous can be achieved.

Then, just as the dream seemed to be heading towards reality, Yuvraj was dismissed for a magnificent 69 and even if the result went against India, they knew they had someone that was going to be a match winner in the future for many years.

But this was the new India, one full of belief and "never say die" attitude. Mohammad kaif along with Harbhajan Singh continued the chase, which finally was achieved when Zaheer Khan hit the ball to the covers and scampered back for two on overthrows for India to achieve probably its greatest ODI win since the World cup 1983 final and probably its greatest come-from-behind victory.

The wild scenes in the balcony with Sourav Ganguly waving his shirt as a mark of revenge towards Andrew Flintoff is one that will never be forgotten by any Indian forever. This was the match that turned around Indian cricket as dominant force in world cricket.

2. India vs Australia, Commonwealth Bank series, 2nd Finals, Brisbane, 2008

A young Indian team under MSD created history in Australia.

India's tour of Australia had been tumultuous with the Monkey gate episode and the poor umpiring in Sydney and Perth during the 4 Test series dominating the headlines. Amidst all that, while India had been playing good cricket, it wasn't enough to stop the powerhouse Australian team from winning the Test series 2-1.

The ODI triangular series had followed a similar pattern with Australia dominating India and Sri Lanka to enter the finals barring a minor slip up against India in one of the games, whereas India had to huff and puff their way to reach the finals.

It was also a new look Indian team with mostly youngsters that had just won the T20 world cup without the stalwarts Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. With all this considered, an Aussie win in the first two finals of the best of three final series seemed most likely.

However, the script endured a sudden turnaround as an inspired Indian outfit put in one of their best performances led by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar who churned out another century and an excellent half century by the highly rated newcomer Rohit Sharma. India ended up winning a rare match Australian soil to win the 1st finals and take a shocking 1-0 lead in the final series. But, it was still believed that Indians would find it difficult to back up that performance and Australia would turn it up a notch to win the next two matches.

The second match of the finals was played at the Aussie Fortress, "The Gabba" in Brisbane and on a bouncy wicket, the Indian openers Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Uttappa stood tall, getting India off to the perfect start. Tendulkar went on to score another superb 91 leading India to a very competitive 258-9.

In reply, the Australians succumbed to the brilliant swing bowling of Praveen Kumar and some electric fielding by an inspired Indian team. The match ebbed and flowed towards both teams before India finally held their nerve and won by 9 runs to sweep Australia 2-0 in the finals and lift the trophy.

The celebrations were wild amongst the Indian players almost as a let out of all the frustrations of the tour along with the previous defeats on Australian soil. A new look Indian team under their new and calm captain MS Dhoni ably lead by the mastery of Sachin Tendulkar had done the unthinkable of conquering Australia in Australia.

3. India vs Pakistan, 1st ODI, Karachi, 2004

Nehra bowled a great final over to seal a famous win for India in its first match in Pakistan after 15 years

The day that marked India's first match in Pakistan after nearly 15 years due to political reasons garnered unmatched interest and curiosity among everyone in both countries and the entire cricketing world. Except for Tendulkar, it was the first India-Pakistan match for all other 21 players in Pakistan.

Amidst tight security and tremendous scrutiny and external pressure, two evenly matched teams began battle in this historic series. With the nerves jingling on both sides, India batted first and the demolition man Virender Sehwag showed no signs of it, propelling India to a dream start going at nearly 150 strike rate.

In no time, India reached a humongous total of 349-7 in this massive game lead by a blistering 79 from Sehwag and a solid 99 from Rahul Dravid. Pakistan's reply began badly as they lost 2 wickets with just 32 on the board and this much hyped encounter began looking hopelessly one-sided.

That is when the Pakistan captain Inzamam-Ul-Haq took it upon himself with able support from Yousuf Youhana to play one of the greatest ODI innings of 122 at faster than a run a ball setting up a thrilling finish.

The contest ebbed and flowed throughout in the last 20 overs with Pakistan entering the final over needing 9 runs. Ashish Nehra was to bowl the big over with Moin Khan, the senior statesman to restrict. A brilliant over till then conceding just 3 runs of the first 5 balls meant Pakistan needed six runs of the final ball with Moin Khan on strike.

Memories of Chethan Sharma's final ball six to Javed Miandad re-surfaced among Indian fans as Miandad, the Pakistan coach was seen instructing Moin Khan from the balcony. However, this time the moment belonged to India as Asish Nehra nipped out Moin Khan caught sparking massive celebrations among the Indian players for one of the greatest ODI's ever played.

More than the result, It was the restoration of India-Pakistan cricketing rivalry in Pakistan again that was the winner on that day.

4. India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI, Capetown, 2011

Yusuf Pathan's splendid 59 helped India take the series lead in South Africa

While overseas success became more frequent for eam India during the decade of 2000 to 2010, the one tour that remained an Achilles heel for India was South Africa. Having never threatened to win an ODI series and even more than a match vs South Africa in South Africa, India entered the 3rd ODI with the series nodded at one apiece.

With a resounding win in Johannesburg in the second ODI defending just 180 odd, the question was always going to be if they can back up a rare win in South Africa or fall apart like so many of the previous Indian teams.

The toss which is usually crucial in day-night matches in Cape Town was won by South Africa and they batted first as expected, given the difficulties of chasing under lights. However, a disciplined bowling performance by India restricted South Africa to a modest 220 all out. Sensing a real opportunity to go up in a series in South Africa for the first time, the Indian chase began on a positive note with the 50 coming up at the loss of just one wicket.

However, the expected collapse followed soon and India were reeling at 68-4 and 93-5. Then, a counter attacking partnership between Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Raina of 75 got India back in with a chance. Just when victory seemed within reach, both perished at inopportune times to hand the slender advantage back to the home team.

However, an inspired Indian tail lead by the clutch Harbhajan singh along with useful cameos from Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra finished the job and won India the match by 2 wickets resulting in a 2-1 lead in the five match series.

Though, the Proteas eventually ended up winning the last two games and the series 3-2, this was India's best performance then in South Africa in a ODI series and this win in particular showed India were on their way to conquer South Africa as well which eventually happened in the recently concluded ODI series.