5 memorable clashes in ODIs between India and England 

There are two major rivalries in cricket. One being the Ashes series which is played between Australia and England. And the second one is between India and Pakistan. Every cricket fan looks forward to these mouth-watering clashes. However, there is one more underrated rivalry, and it is between India and England. Given the history involved between these two nations, the match-up becomes interesting.

India and England played their first ODI match in 1974, and since then they have played 97 matches amongst them. India holds an edge in the H2H (Head to Head) with 52 wins while England has 39 wins in their kitty. The rivalry can be divided into three parts. During the initial times, England dominated India and secured comfortable wins while during the 1990's and early 2000's it was evenly contested. In the last decade or so, India has dominated England and have been the superior side.

However, the current England team has improved significantly, and their recent performances against Australia have already shown us what they are capable of doing. With less than a fortnight left for the ODI series, we look at five memorable clashes over the years between the two sides.

#5 India vs England - 6th ODI, Mumbai, February 2002

Flintoff was the difference between the two sides

India was leading the six-match ODI series (3-2), and a win in the last match would have sealed the series in their favour. However, things did not go as per the script as England mounted a spirited comeback and drew the series 3-3.

Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly started off well in the chase of 255 runs but India's lower order failed, and India lost by 5 runs. His bowling was exceptional as he cleaned the lower order, and returned with figures of 3 wickets for 38 runs. Notably, he just conceded 3.86 runs in his spell.

While batting too, Flintoff added a crucial 40 runs which helped England post a decent total of 255 runs.

#4 England vs India- ICC World Cup - Group Match, Durban, March 2003

Nehra was India's hero

In this match, India dominated England with both bat and ball. India batted first and scored 250 runs. Sachin Tendulkar was in breathtaking form as he scored a half-century with some glorious shots. Giving him company was Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh who scored 62 and 42 respectively.

India's bowling was led by veteran Javagal Srinath, but it was the youngster Ashish Nehra who stole the show. His swing and pace troubled the English batsmen earlier on as he finished with figures of 6/23. England was bundled out for 168 runs. Nehra's bowling figures are still the best figures by an Indian bowler in the World Cup.

#3 India vs England- ICC World Cup - Group Match, February 2011

This match is one of the classics in the World Cup

On a friendly batting surface, India batted first and started off excellently. It was again the Little Master who led from the front and scored a fantastic century. It looked like India would comfortably post 400 runs, but the English bowlers were able to stem the run flow at the end and India ended with 338 runs.

During the chase, England started off well, and Andrew Strauss was on fire. At one point it looked like they would comfortably overhaul the target, but it was Zaheer Khan's over which was the turning point of the match. His two wickets in a single over helped India pull things back, and the match ended in a tie.

Strauss was the Man of the Match for his magnificent 158 runs.

2) England vs India- 6th ODI at London in 2007

Robin Uthappa's helped India to secure a victory

India were trailing 2-3 to England, and a loss in this match would have meant England win the series. England elected to bat first and posted a mammoth 316 runs as the Indian bowlers had an off day.

A century from Owais Shah and useful contributions from Bell, Wright, and Pietersen helped them to reach that score. Notably, in this match, Dmitri Mascarenhas plundered five sixes in an over of Yuvraj Singh and scored 36 runs off 15 balls.

India, in reply, got off to a good start with Ganguly (53), Sachin (94) and Gambhir (47) all playing crucial knocks. However, England hit back and India's innings crumbled. It was left to Dhoni and Uthappa to salvage the match with the run-rate climbing up.

Both of them did an excellent job as they helped India steady the innings. Dhoni got out at a crucial moment of the match, and it was Uthappa's heroics which helped India get over the finishing line with just two balls left to play.

#1 England vs India-Natwest Trophy Final - Lord's, London, July 2002

An epic clash which is still remembered

This is one of the most historic ODIs in cricket. In the finals of the 2002 NatWest series, England batted first and scored a mammoth 325. England captain Nasser Hussain and opener Marcus Trescothick both scored centuries. The score looked insurmountable and many pundits wrote the young Indian team off.

India was stuttering at one stage, having lost half their side for less than 150 runs. Then came the young pair of Yuvraj and Mohammad Kaif who joined hands together to notch up a massive partnership of 121, with Yuvraj scoring 69 and Kaif scoring 87 not out to register an emphatic win.

Many cricketing fans would remember this match for Sourav Ganguly's epic celebration when he waived his shirt off at the Lord's balcony. This classic is still one of India's finest victories in ODIs.