8 iconic moments in Indian cricket over the last 2 decades (2000-2019)

#7. ICC Champions Trophy win, 2013

England v India: Final - ICC Champions Trophy

By 2013, Mahendra Singh Dhoni had achieved everything that an international captain could dream off – World T20, 50-over World Cup, number one position in Test rankings. So, when the 2013 Champions Trophy began in England, he might have been tempted to add another ICC Trophy to his kitty.

Well, his tactics and his team ensured that by the end of the tournament, he would have another ICC Trophy under his belt. With wins over South Africa, West Indies and Pakistan, India remained unbeaten in the group stages. Shikhar Dhawan was in the form of his life with two centuries and a 48.

In a repeat of the 2011 World final, India was up against Sri Lanka. Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, with three wickets each, put a brake on the Lankan batsmen as they were able to manage only 181 from the 50 overs. This target was achieved with ease with half-centuries from Dhawan (68) and Virat Kohli (unbeaten 58).

Shikhar Dhawan had a great Champions Trophy.

Thus, India advanced to the finals against hosts England. This match had to be truncated to 20 overs-a-side game. India batted first and scored only 129 with useful contributions from Kohli (43) and Ravindra Jadeja (unbeaten 33). England seemed to be on track when Eoin Morgan (33) and Ravi Bopara (30) were at the crease.

With six wickets in hand and 28 required off 18, Dhoni gave the ball to Ishant Sharma (again a move which many questioned). Morgan hit the second ball for a six and Ishant was under tremendous pressure. But with the third and fourth ball, he took the wickets of Morgan and Bopara. Jadeja bowled a fantastic next over which saw two English wickets fall.

In the last over, the Englishmen required 15, but Ashwin kept it to 10 and won the match for India. Jadeja won the golden ball for the bowler with the highest wickets and Dhawan won golden bat for the batsman with maximum runs.

The picture of the winning Indian team in white jackets is something that everyone recalls even today.

#8. Border-Gavaskar Trophy win, 2018-19

Winning Indian team

India’s first tour to Australia took place in 1947 and since then this was their 12th tour down under for a Test series. However, the Indians had never emerged victorious in any of them.

Although the home side were without their top two batsmen – Steve Smith and David Warner (both of whom had been banned due to ball tampering), the Indians knew that they couldn’t be taken lightly.

The visitors began on a high with a 31-run win in the first Test of the series at Adelaide. Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 123 and 71, was the star of the match. Jaspit Bumrah and Ravichandra Ashwin were the top performers with the ball with six wickets each.

The Australians came back strongly to win the second Test at Perth by 146 runs. Skipper Virat Kohli, who had scored a century in the first innings, failed in the second innings as the Indians were bowled out for 140.

In the third Test at Melbourne, Pujara scored his second century of the series as India declared at 443 for 7. Pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah then took over and, with figures of 6 for 33, bowled out the home side for 151. In search of quick runs, India declared their second innings at 106 for 8. This meant that the Aussies had to chase 399 in the fourth innings.

All the Indian bowlers chipped in with wickets at regular intervals as the Aussies were bundled out for 261. India was now going into the fourth Test with a lead of 2-1 and a realistic chance of winning the series.

Riding on centuries by Pujara (193) and Rishabh Pant (unbeaten 159), India scored 622 for 7 in the first innings at Sydney and a series win was within sight. The only question remaining was whether it would be a 2-1 or a 3-1 victory. Kuldeep Yadav’s five wickets meant that Australia had to follow-on after being bowled out for 300.

But rain-gods came to the rescue of the home side and the match ended in a draw. Nevertheless, Kohli’s team had achieved what no Indian team had ever done Down Under.