Greatest ODI innings by Indian batsmen post-2000 that wasn't a century

In a batting obsessed country like India, individual centuries are given much more credit than an innings that did not breach the three-figure mark, even if the latter held much more value. Fans are often swayed by centuries and hence more important and valuable innings are often forgotten just because of the fact that these innings weren't converted into centuries.

In several cases, it's these 70's, 80's and 90's that have helped team India lift several important trophies and have led to cherishable moments in Indian cricket history, which have now become a part of legendary folklore. These innings hold much more value for the larger benefit of the team when compared to individual tons.

Here we have a look at some of the high impact innings by Indian batsmen in ODIs post the year 2000 that did reach three figures:

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#1 Sachin Tendulkar's 98 vs Pakistan

Perhaps Tendulkar's greatest ever non-century innings in his ODI career, this innings sits there right at the top of the list of the greatest innings played by Indian batsmen in ODIs. The fact that it came against arch-rivals Pakistan, that too in a high octane World Cup clash, against the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoiab Akthar on a bouncy Centurion track makes it all the more special.

Chasing a highly competitive 274 for yet another World Cup victory against Pakistan, Tendulkar provided the best possible start for India as he toyed with the star-studded Pakistani bowling line up. The second over of the Indian innings where he plundered Akthar for 3 consecutive boundaries, including a six, was the turning point of the match. His six off Akthar over point is still remembered with pride by Indian fans.

India did suffer a hiccup in the middle when Waqar Younis removed Sehwag and skipper Ganguly in back to back deliveries, reducing India to 53-2. Tendulkar, however, was largely unperturbed as he continued trampling upon the hapless Pakistani bowlers, scoring boundaries at regular intervals. His 102-run partnership with Kaif steadied the ship for India.

When Tendulkar got out, India still required almost 100 runs for victory. However, the damage had already been done by that time and it was only a matter of time before Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh romped team India to a memorable victory.

#2 Mohammad Kaif's 87* vs England

The innings by Kaif is one of the finest played under pressure by an Indian batsman

Indisputably one of India's greatest ever triumphs in the ODI format, the 2002 Natwest Trophy victory is famously remembered for Sourav Ganguly's shirtless celebration at the Lords' balcony. That this victory came after successive losses by team India in ODI tournament finals, including the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy final, makes it highly cherishable.

After having won the toss, England skipper Nasser Hussain asked the visitors to field first. The English batsmen smashed the Indian bowlers all over the park and posed an imposing total of 325 on the board. It was a highly daunting chase for team India as chasing anything over 300 was a humongous task in the pre-T20 era.

Captain Ganguly and fellow opener Sehwag provided a scintillating start as India raced to a total of 100 in less than 15 overs. However, their smooth sail was obstructed due to regular fall of wickets in the middle overs, as India were reduced to 146-5.

In came two young and inexperienced batsmen in Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif who went on to script a glorious victory for team India. Both the batsmen tacked the English bowlers and managed to find the boundaries more often than not. Their 121 run stand helped team India consolidate their position to a great extent. Kaif played some fearless shots against the English seamers, who had managed to trouble India's top order earlier in the day.

Though Yuvraj was eventually dismissed, Kaif held his fort at one end and with the help of the tailenders, he managed to take India past the finish line, remaining unbeaten at 87 from 75 balls. This victory is touted to be the beginning of team India's domination in the 50 over format by fans and critics alike.

#3 Sachin Tendulkar's 91 vs Australia

Tendulkar's 91 was instrumental in India's maiden ODI series victory in Australia

After having endured a difficult Test series including being at the end of some dubious umpiring decisions in Sydney and the monkey-gate controversy, team India was looking to make a mark in the limited-overs leg of the tour. Having made their way into the finals of the tri-series (with Sri Lanka being the third team), India managed to 1-0 in the best of three finals thanks to Sachin Tendulkar's century in the first final.

Having won the toss and deciding to bat first, India was off to a solid opening start of 94 between Sachin and Uthappa before the latter fell. Tendulkar, though, continued to play his shots and keep the momentum going. He was given able support by the middle order, especially Yuvraj and Dhoni.

Tendulkar eventually fell for 91, agonizingly short of a well deserved century. It was an uncharacteristic Tendulkar innings though, coming at a paltry strike rate of 75.20. Nevertheless, it was an extremely important innings considering the fact that barring Tendulkar, none of the other batsmen managed to cross 40.

India eventually went on the win the match and the series and Praveen Kumar was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match for his four-wicket haul. However, it was Tendulkar's 91 which laid the base for India's first and only ever ODI series victory on Australian soil.

#4 Virat Kohli's 43 vs England

Kohli's innings in the 2013 Champions Trophy Final deserves much more credit than it gets

Probably an innings which is not much spoken about among fans, Kohli's 43 in the Champions Trophy 2013 final deserves as much credit as his other incredible batting performances. In a match curtailed by rain to 20 overs a side, India batted first on a pitch where batting was highly difficult due to incessant rains.

In a virtual T20 match, Kohli consolidated his team's position and looked rock solid till he got out even though India could manage only a meager 129 for 7. The significance of his 43 appears much more magnified when the fact that apart from Kohli, only Shikhar Dhawan and Ravindra Jadeja managed to reach double figures.

His innings included four boundaries and a six as he took on the English pacers and counter-attacked them despite witnessing regular fall of wickets at the other end.

In the end, England failed to chase India's target and fell short by 5 runs, thanks to the efforts of the spin duo of Jadeja and Ashwin and paceman Ishant Sharma. Jadeja was named the Man of the Match, though it was Kohli's resilient innings which laid the foundation for India's victory.

#5 Gautam Gambhir's 97 and MS Dhoni's 91* vs Sri Lanka

The partnership between Gambhir and Dhoni was crucial in ensuring the triumph of the men in blue

Undoubtedly one of the greatest ever victories in Indian Cricket history, the triumph in the 2011 World Cup final was made possible by two sensational innings that did not breach the three-figure mark. Gautam Gambhir's 97 and MS Dhoni's 91 were responsible for team India emulating the feat of Kapil's devils 28 years ago.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka batted first and posed a competitive 274, largely thanks to Jayawardene's brilliant 103 of just 88 deliveries. It would be the last World Cup for two great servants of the game, Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan and both teams were obliged to give a fitting farewell to their legends.

India got off to the worst possible start as Lasith Malinga removed both openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag early, with the latter falling for a duck in the first over. As the Indians were reduced to 31 for 2, Gautam Gambhir along with Virat Kohli built on a strong and steady partnership of 83 runs. Once Kohli fell, Dhoni surprised one and all by promoting himself up the order ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh.

Both the batsman played their shots and helped their team inch closer towards glory. They ran hard and managed to squeeze in singles and couples at regular intervals, which put a lot of pressure on the Lankan fielders. They also managed to score boundaries whenever needed. Gambhir eventually fell to a loose shot 3 short of what would have been a memorable century, but Dhoni stamped his authority at the other end and stayed unbeaten till the end, finishing the game in trademark style by hitting a six and thus helping India clinch its second World Cup trophy.