![Top 5 best performance of Imran Khan vs India [Source: @TsMeSalman/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1759647108747_Imran_Khan_India_Pakistan(1).jpg?type=hq)
Top 5 best performance of Imran Khan vs India [Source: @TsMeSalman/X.com]
Legendary former captain of Pakistan, Imran Khan turned 73 on October 5, 2025. The all-rounder was the heartbeat of Pakistan cricket through the 1970s and 1980s.
Against India, Imran was competitive to the core, picking up a total of 94 wickets and contributing more than 1,500 runs. He used to give match-winning performances and unforgettable spells time and again that sealed his place among the best balanced cricketers of all time.
On his birthday, let’s revisit his 5 best performances against arch-rivals India.
5. 4/27 - Sharjah Cup, 1987
In the 1987 Sharjah Cup, Imran Khan bulldozed India’s top order, dismissing openers Srikkanth and Sunil Gavaskar cheaply on 5 and 0, respectively. He went on to capitalise on the momentum, claiming a 4-wicket-haul in his 10-over spell while conceding just 27 runs.
His spell restricted India to 183/8, though Dilip Vengsarkar and Manoj Prabhakar nailed a decent partnership. Pakistan eventually won the match by 8 wickets.
4. 6/35 - Hyderabad Test, 1983
In the 4th Test at Hyderabad in January 1983, Imran Khan delivered a brilliant bowling performance against India, taking 6 wickets for 35 runs in the first innings and 2 more in the second innings.
His spell contained crucial wickets such as Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath, and Kapil Dev. Imran's persistent attack led to Pakistan imposing the follow-on and going on to win by an innings and 119 runs.
3. 6/14 - Rothmans Cup, 1985
At the 1985 Rothmans Cup game against India at Sharjah, Imran Khan produced one of his greatest performances, claiming 6 wickets for a mere 14 runs. His razor-sharp pace, brutally sharp bouncers, and precise accuracy tore through India's batting unit, limiting them to a low score of 125.
Ravi Shastri, Srikkanth, Vengsarkar and Gavaskar were all his victims. While Pakistan lost the game by 38 runs, Imran’s spell defined the India-Pakistan rivalry in the 50-over format.
2. 8/60 - Karachi Test, 1982
In the 2nd Test at Karachi, December 1982, Imran Khan produced a sensational all-round show against India and bagged Player of the Match award. He scored 33 runs in Pakistan's first innings, which helped the team post a huge total of 452, and took control with the ball, picking 3/19 in India's first innings and a staggering 8/60 in the second.
Khan's fiery pace, reverse swing, and precision tore through the Indian batting order twice to allow Pakistan a comprehensive innings and 86-run win. This match remains one of Imran’s most memorable performances against India.
1. 117 & 6/98 – Faisalabad Test, 1983
In 1983, India played the 3rd Test of the tour at Faisalabad, and Imran Khan nailed his authority as an all-rounder. In the first inning, he picked up a 6-wicket-haul to bowl out India on 372. In the second inning, Khan showcased his class with the bat, scoring a remarkable 117 off 121 balls to power Pakistan to 652/10.
Then again, in the third inning, Imran Khan led from the front, picking a 5-wicket-haul to bowl out India on 286, and eventually Pakistan won the Test by 10 wickets. This performance is still hailed as one of Imran’s finest in Test cricket.
