5 low-scoring thrillers that ended in an Indian victory

#1 India vs South Africa at Kolkata, 1993

Sachin Tendulkar’s last-over brilliance gave India a victory to savour (Image Credit: Sportstarlive.com)

Victory margin – 2 runs

Perhaps one of the most exciting matches in the history of Indian cricket took place at the Eden Gardens during the Hero Cup in 1993. India faced off against South Africa in the first semi-final of the 5-nation tournament which commemorated the diamond jubilee of the Cricket Association of Bengal.

Mohammad Azharuddin chose to bat first after winning the toss but the Indians got off to a disastrous start losing 3 wickets for just 18. When the score was 53, Sachin Tendulkar, too, got out for 15, leaving skipper Azharuddin and Pravin Amre with a job to do.

The duo added 95 runs for the 5^th wicket before Amre finally got out just 2 short of a half-century. None of the batsmen who followed could make any impression and the onus was on Azhar to take India to a respectable total.

The Indian captain did all that he could before being dismissed for a well-made 90 and the team score reached 195 in 50 overs. During the run chase, South Africa did not look out of the game at any stage of the match despite losing wickets at regular intervals.

All-rounder Brian McMillan and wicketkeeper Dave Richardson were threatening to run away with the match with their fine partnership. Even as Richardson got out for 15 in the penultimate over, the Proteas looked firm favourites with just 6 runs needed in the last over and McMillan still batting.

In the most unlikeliest of decisions, Mohammad Azharuddin tossed the ball towards Sachin Tendulkar to bowl the final six balls. What followed was sheer magic as the man who would go on to be the country’s greatest cricketer gave away only 3 runs in the over and handed India an unforgettable victory.