Top 5 ODI World Cup Clashes Between India vs Pakistan
India will take on Pakistan in World Cup 2023 match on October 14 (Twitter)
There are a few sporting rivalries that conjure up as much passion, intensity, and drama as an India-Pakistan cricket match. These contests are more than just cricket matches, they represent national pride and geopolitical undertones, enthralling hearts from Mumbai to Multan and Karachi to Kolkata.
Amidst this backdrop, the World Cup encounters between India and Pakistan have produced some of the most entertaining and unforgettable moments in the history of the sport. Each game has a unique narrative, filled with heroics, despair, celebrations, and heartbreaks (for Pakistan fans) as India has emerged victorious in all seven World Cup games between the two sides.
From the steely resolve of Sachin Tendulkar and the fiery reply of Venkatesh Prasad to the swashbuckling dominance of Virat Kohli and the steady poise of Rahul Dravid, the characters are many and their tales are legendary. The two sides are once again set to lock horns in World Cup 2023 on October 14 in Ahmedabad.
Ahead of the clash, let’s take a look at the top 5 India vs Pakistan World Cup matches.
1. World Cup 1996: India vs. Pakistan in Bangalore
The game at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is the most memorable match in the history of the World Cup between the two sides. This quarter-final showdown was a high-voltage encounter from start to finish. India posted a massive 287 on the board, led by a scintillating 93 off 115 balls by Navjot Singh Sidhu and a quick-fire cameo from Ajay Jadeja (45 off 25 balls), who smacked Waqar Younis for 40 runs in his last two overs.
Venkatesh Prasad celebrates after dismissing Aamer Sohail (twitter)
In response, Pakistan was off to a flying start with a fantastic opening partnership between Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail. However, a turning point in the match came when Venkatesh Prasad clean-bowled Sohail right after he had hit Prasad for a boundary and pointedly gestured him to fetch the ball. Pakistan collapsed thereafter and India won by 39 runs amidst a passionate home crowd.
2. World Cup 2011: India vs. Pakistan in Mohali
This semi-final encounter was significant for a number of reasons. The match held geopolitical importance, with the Prime Ministers of both countries attending the game. Batting first, put up 260 on the board, thanks to a calm and composed 85 from Sachin Tendulkar, though he was given several reprieves by the Pakistani fielders.
Sachin Tendulkar fought like a lone wolf in the 2011 semi-final (Twitter)
Pakistan's chase started poorly, with early wickets. A fighting fifty from Misbah-ul-Haq was not enough as the Indian bowlers kept picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals with each of the grabbing two scalps a piece. Pakistan were bowled out for 231 as India won by 29 runs, and the victory helped them advance to the finals, which they eventually won, becoming the first team to win a World Cup on home soil.
3. World Cup 2003: India vs. Pakistan in Centurion
The 2003 World Cup encounter between India and Pakistan at Centurion was more than just a game of cricket. Just a few years removed from the wounds of the Kargil War in 1999, the match held a special significance for both nations. The political tension was high, the air heavy with emotions, as these two arch-rivals faced each other on the cricket pitch. Pakistan batted first and posted a competitive total of 273/7, thanks to a magnificent century by Saeed Anwar. However, the day belonged to one man, Tendulkar.
Rahul Dravid & Yuvraj Singh celebrate after beating Pakistan (Twitter)
Opening the innings for India, Tendulkar unleashed a masterclass, taking the Pakistani bowlers to task. The highlight of his innings was the audacious uppercut six off a Shoaib Akhtar bouncer in the very first over, setting the tone for the rest of the chase.
Tendulkar fell for a breathtaking 98, but his innings had steadied the ship and guided India towards their target. A composed Rahul Dravid (44*) and a young Yuvraj Singh (50*) completed the task, ensuring a comfortable victory for India. This encounter, coming after the Kargil War, wasn't just about winning a cricket match. It was seen as a symbol of pride and defiance.
4. World Cup 2019: India vs Pakistan in Manchester
The match at the Old Trafford was a complete domination by India. Batting first, India posted a huge total of 365, largely due to Rohit Sharma's brilliant 140 off just 113 balls. He was well supported by KL Rahul (57) and Virat Kohli (77), who also chipped in with useful fifties to help India post an above par total.
Rohit Sharma scored a breathtaking century (Twitter)
Pakistan's response was disrupted by rain, and the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method came into play. The adjusted target proved too stiff for Pakistan. Despite a fighting half-century from Fakhar Zaman, they fell short by 89 runs. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers, picking up 2 crucial wickets at a critical point and turning the game in India's favour. This victory maintained India's unbeaten streak against Pakistan in World Cup matches.
5. World Cup 1992: India vs. Pakistan in Sydney
Almost a decade after India's fairy-tale run to their maiden World Cup title in 1983, they clashed with their fierce rivals Pakistan for the first time in the tournament's history at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Put into bat first, the Indian team navigated the early overs with steady resolve. The innings got a much-needed boost with some stellar performances from opener Ajay Jadeja (46) and a young Sachin Tendulkar as India posted a respectable 216/7. Tendulkar remained unbeaten at 54, showcasing a maturity that belied his age and setting the foundation for his future legendary status.
Sachin Tendulkar scored a fighting fifty in his first World Cup game vs Pakistan (Twitter)
Chasing a moderate target, Pakistan faced a dismal start. The Indian bowlers were relentless, consistently disrupting the rhythm of the Pakistani batsmen and keeping the run rate in check. The usually dynamic Javed Miandad was kept quiet, his laborious 40 off 110 balls reflecting the pressure exerted by the Indian bowlers. Their top-scorer Aamer Sohal (62) was dismissed by Tendulkar. The Pakistan team struggled to keep up with the required run rate, eventually falling short in their pursuit, getting bowled out for 173.
A notable highlight from the match was the comical altercation between Miandad and India's wicketkeeper Kiran More. The Indian stumper’s persistent chatter and antics behind the stumps seemed to have irked Miandad, who responded by mimicking More's appealing style in a humorous display of jumping up and down, an incident which is still afresh in cricket fans’ memories.
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