Top 5 Greatest ODI Wins For India
Kapil Dev Captained India to their first World Cup title in 1983 [Source: Twitter]
2023 is a crucial year for Indian cricket, with two successive 50-over tournaments coming up in the next few months. First, the Asia Cup 2023, then the all-important Cricket World Cup 2023, will define how the next era of cricketers will get inspired, much like the current lot, who take inspiration from the 2011 World Cup, which former skipper MS Dhoni won.
Despite One-Day International (ODI) cricket being on the downslide in the past few years, the craze for a world cup is not diminishing with the marquee event happening in India.
Host nation India will be under immense pressure to rekindle memories of the 2011 WC. Team India has a rich ODI history, given they have played 1,042 internationals, winning 541, losing 439, tying 9, and 43 ending in no results.
India, who played their maiden ODI in 1974 with a loss against England, went on to lift its maiden World Cup in 1983 and has since not looked back.
Team India's top 5 wins in ODIs
| India | Matches | Wins | Losses | Tie | N/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1042 | 541 | 439 | 9 | 43 |
Breakdown Of India's ODI (Country-wise)
| Vs County | Matches | Wins | Losses | Tied | N/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Australia | 146 | 54 | 82 | 0 | 10 |
| Bangladesh | 39 | 31 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| England | 106 | 57 | 44 | 2 | 3 |
| Ireland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 116 | 58 | 50 | 1 | 7 |
| Pakistan | 132 | 58 | 73 | 0 | 4 |
| South Africa | 90 | 37 | 50 | 0 | 3 |
| Sri Lanka | 165 | 96 | 57 | 1 | 11 |
| West Indies | 141 | 72 | 64 | 2 | 4 |
| Zimbabwe | 66 | 54 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Bermuda | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| East Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kenya | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Namibia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Scotland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In this article, we will be listing India's top five greatest ODI wins from 1973 to 2023 in anticipation of the upcoming Asia Cup and CWC.
1983 World Cup Final
Kapil Dev captained India to its first WC [Source: Twitter]
The story of an underdog beating a Goliath, India defeated two-time World champions West Indies in a low-scoring final to lift the coveted World Cup title. Defending 183, India displayed resilience, determination, and fightback on the field and set the tone for future generations to learn and better. Kapil Dev and his band of boys laid the foundation of what Indian cricket is today, and to date remains a glorious chapter in the nation's rich-sporting history.
2011 World Cup Final
India lift the 2011 WC trophy [Source: Twitter]
With emotions and expectations reaching its crescendo, Dhoni-led India created history in Mumbai, becoming the first-ever host nation to lift the World Cup. India's 28-year wait for WC came to a screeching end, thanks to flashes of brilliance from Gautam Gambhir and Dhoni against Sri Lanka. The win was a perfect tribute to Sachin Tendulkar, who was playing his sixth WC and paved the way for his teammates to dream on over and over again.
2002 NatWest Series Final
India beat hosts England in final [Source: Twitter]
A young team India emerged and shed off the baggage of past scars, led by the aggressive Sourav Ganguly. The NatWest Series Final had everything, drama, suspense, joy, and sorrow between England and India, where Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif rose for their nation.
Chasing 326, India lost half their side and still needed 180 when the young duo took charge and showcased a shift in mindset from earlier Indian sides. Ganguly ended up hurling his shirt at the iconic Lord's balcony signifying the start of a new era in Indian cricket.
1985 World Championship of Cricket Final
India beat Pakistan in final [Source: Instagram]
Having won the World Cup in 83', India tasted global success and wanted to ensure that it continued. Led by Sunil Gavaskar in his final series as captain, India faced arch-rivals Pakistan in the final, spicing things up. After bowlers restricted Pakistan below 180, Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Ravi Shastri added a 103-run stand before India won the tie comfortably by eight wickets. This win proved that India were a dominant side in ODIs, and the World Cup was not a one-off.
CB Series Final 2008
India won best of three finals 2-0 [Source: Twitter]
After a disastrous ICC World Cup 2007, Team India under MS Dhoni played against Australia and Sri Lanka in the CB Series Down Under. With an influx of young players and offloading several veterans, Dhoni's India played hosts in the best of 3 finals and headed into the second match 1-0 up.
With 91, Sachin Tendulkar top-scored as Australia were asked to chase 259. Undeterred by an imposing batting lineup, pacer Praveen Kumar shook up the defending world champ's side and claimed four wickets. The nine-run completed the transition of India's new-age ODI setup, which was fearless, and on your face.
 "Vishal Mehra")
