From Sachin's 98 To Kohli's 82; 5 Best Knocks In IND vs PAK Matches

Virat Kohli during the 2022 T20 World Cup (x.com)

The India-Pakistan cricketing rivalry is one of the most intense and storied ones in the history of the sport. It transcends the boundary of mere competition, fuelled by the passionate fervour of fans and the deep-rooted patriotism that arises from the geopolitical tensions between the two nations.

Over the years, legendary cricketers from both sides have etched their names in history by putting up some unforgettable batting performances in high-octane India vs Pakistan clashes, turning these epic encounters into larger-than-life tales. Here at OneCricket, we take a look at five of the finest knocks that have defined this iconic rivalry.

Top Five Batting Performances in IND vs PAK Matches, Across Formats

5. Younis Khan 267 in March 2005

Younis Khan celebrating his century against India (x.com)

In a series bombarded with Virender Sehwag fireworks, Pakistan batting legend Younis Khan unfurled an innings for the ages in the Test series-decider of Pakistan’s 2005 tour of India. Turning up at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for the third Test of the series, he batted over 11 hours to score 267 runs and glittered his innings with 32 classy boundaries and a six.

Khan’s batting masterclass alongside fellow-centurion and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq elevated Pakistan from 7-2 to 323-2 by stumps, and eventually to a 570-run first-innings total. The legendary batter also pounded a swift 84* from 98 balls in the second innings to set up Pakistan’s emphatic series-levelling victory with a 168-run margin.

4. Sachin Tendulkar 98* in 2003 World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar in full glory during the 2003 World Cup (x.com)

During the height of India-Pakistan border turmoil, coupled with lack of bilateral affairs for over four years, the two nations crossed paths for a 2003 World Cup match in Centurion. Chasing a stiff 274-run target, Indian opener Sachin Tendulkar smacked around Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Younis for fun before landing a knockout punch with an imperial 75-ball 98. The legendary batter belted 12 boundaries and a six, one that soared over third man off Akhtar in just the second over of the match.

Sachin Tendulkar’s run-chase special helped India mow down Pakistan’s 273-7 with six wickets and 26 balls to spare.

3. Gautam Gambhir 75 in T20 World Cup 2007 final

Gautam Gambhir in action during the 2007 T20 World Cup final (x.com)

Surrounded by whimsical euphoria and the excitement of first-ever India vs Pakistan showdown in a World Cup final, ‘Men in Blue’ opener Gautam Gambhir hogged the limelight by whacking 75 runs from 54 deliveries at Johannesburg in September 2007. With a T20 World Cup on the line, the inaugural edition no less, Gambhir’s batting spectacle wheeled India to a competitive 157-5 from 20 overs.

Later in the evening, bowlers RP Singh and Irfan Pathan complimented Gautam Gambhir’s classy knock by restricting Pakistan as India bagged the historic T20 World Cup title at the Wanderers Stadium.

2. Saeed Anwar 194 in Pepsi Independence Cup 1997

Saeed Anwar celebrating his century against India (x.com)

In match six of the four-nation Pepsi Independence Cup of 1997 at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar shattered multiple batting records through the course of his 194-run blitz against Indian bowlers. Anwar launched 22 boundaries and five sixes in his near three-and-a-hour marathon knock to turbo-charge Pakistan to a monumental and match-winning total of 327-5 from 50 overs.

The innings remained ODI cricket’s highest individual score for over a decade until Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry levelled the same against Bangladesh in August 2009.

1. Virat Kohli 82* in T20 World Cup 2022

Virat Kohli celebrating India's win over Pakistan in 2022 (x.com)

In an illustrious career filled with some of the greatest batting concerts of the 21st century, Virat Kohli exceeded all expectations, including his own by admission, by whacking 82 unbeaten runs against arch-rivals Pakistan at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Surrounded by over 80,000 buzzing spectators at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Kohli had his task cut out in front of him, as India slipped to 31-4 in a chase of 160 in their opening match of the tournament. The legendary batter rescued India’s sinking ship with a steady partnership with Hardik Pandya, and nonchalantly switched gears when the equation boiled down to requiring 48 runs from the final three overs.

The twin sixes off Haris Rauf, followed by a topsy-turvy final over, all led to India’s nail-biting victory to seal one of the greatest T20 matches of all time.

---

ALSO READ

From Virat Kohli To Jadeja; 5 Indian Cricketers With Successful Restaurants

---