5 memorable matches that India played in England

Over the years the distance between cricket fans and professional cricket has largely reduced. Detailed match reports and analysis were once only available in the next day’s newspapers and fans form the visiting country had to wait anxiously for the newspaper to get to know about the day’s play of cricket. Then came the radio age and the likes of Dr Narottam Puri and Sushil Doshi revolutionized cricket commentary in India.

With the advent of Television and more recently Internet, a lot of people are now able to follow the game they love even whey are at work or on the go. Cricket has come a long way and so has cricket reporting and broadcasting.

Let us have a look at five memorable matches over the past 86 years of Cricketing History between India and England.

---

#5 India Tour of England, June 1932 (First Test Series in England for India)

India made the English side work hard for their win

When the first time the Indian team went to England in 1932 under the leadership of CK Nayudu, there were hardly any expectations from the team as the team was venturing into the largely unknown territory.

The fact that even the players didn’t expect much from the tour helped them put up a brave show against England.

The hosts, however, were startled when the star openers Percy Holmes and Herbert Sutcliffe were both dismissed even before they reached double figures on Day 1 Session 1. Soon after England were reduced to 3/19 and were eventually all out for 259.

The visiting Side was quite clearly the better side after the Day’s play in England and although India did let the game slide from its grip, it wasn’t a walk in the park for the Englishmen- a moral victory for colonial India in those days.

#4 India Tour of England, July 1996

Ganguly and Dravid made their debut together in 1996

Fast forward 1996, the tour became memorable for Indian Cricket because of the arrival of two young players who went on to captain their side and change the face of Indian Cricket- Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.

With the arrival of Ganguly and Dravid the three of the four batsmen who arguably made the greatest Indian middle order ever, came together for the first time. VVS Laxman was to join the trio of Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid a little later and complete the fab four.

Both Dravid and Ganguly announced their arrival in style. While the latter scored back to back centuries, Dravid notched up two high-quality half centuries. It was clear that Indian Cricket was going to have a very bright future.

#3 Final, Natwest Series, London, July 2002

This was one of India's most memorable wins

In one of the most memorable ODI matches in Indian Cricket, India defeated England by 2 wickets in the final of the Natwest Trophy in a thrilling encounter.

The celebrations that followed saw Ganguly, the new age Indian captain, taking his shirt off at the Lords Balcony perhaps in a bid to avenge Flintoff’s celebration at Wankhede Stadium after England won a last over finish here.

The Match symbolised the rise of Indian Cricket that was to follow- no target was unachievable for this new Team and each day a new match winner could emerge as did Mohammad Kaif to drive India home on that bright Sunny day at Lords.

#2 Final, ICC Champions Trophy, June 2013

Indian team after winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013

India held their nerve at the ICC Champions Trophy final against England in 2013. With 20 required of 15 odd deliveries, the match was well in England’s favour until Ishant Sharma produced a two-wicket over to take the match to the final over, where Ashwin did a commendable job.

MS Dhoni became the only captain to lift ICC Cricket World Cup, World T20 and ICC Champions Trophy and Ravindra Jadeja was declared the player of the match for his all-round performance.

Earlier the match was reduced to 20 overs per side after the rain had delayed play. India only managed a 129 on the board but came back pretty well to defend a low score on a slightly difficult surface.

#1 Final, Prudential World Cup, June 1983

Kapil Dev with the World Cup Trophy, 1983

Arguably the most inspiring day in the history of Indian Cricket came when the underdog Indian Team went on to lift the World Cup after defeating the defending Champion West Indies in the finals. Chasing a modest target of 184, it looked like West Indies would get there with ease, given the quality of batsmanship, West Indies was famous for in those days.

But that was not to be as Kapil Dev and his men made history and inspired a whole generation of youngsters to take up the sport and make the country proud. It was only 28 years later that India managed to clinch the title back again.

---

Do you agree with our list? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!