India's one memorable win from each edition of the World Cup

India vs England at Birmingham in World Cup 1999

Ganguly came good with the ball against England

Before this match started, everyone was made to believe that England was almost through to the Super Sixes, irrespective of the outcome of their match against India. It was India who was struggling to proceed to the next stage of the tournament.

England asked India to bat first. For India, the top 6 batsmen contributed with Rahul Dravid scoring a fifty and Ganguly a 40. India reached a decent score of 232 on a bowler-friendly wicket.

For India, Debasis Mohanty struck immediately when he got the wickets of Alec Stewart and Graeme Hick off successive deliveries. England struggled to reach 70 for 2 in 19 overs when bad light set in. The play was about to be called off to be continued on the next day which was the reserve day.

Just before stumps were drawn for the day, Sourav Ganguly knocked off Nasser Hussain’s stumps in fading light. That brought India back into the game. But there was a lot of uncertainty over the dodgy weather on the reserve day.

The Indians had to spend one anxious night before play resumed on the reserve day. Had it rained on the reserve day, England would have reached the next stage while India would have headed home.

When play resumed on the reserve day, India was lucky to get the crucial wicket of Graham Thorpe who was adjudged LBW when the ball would have conveniently missed the sixth stump. India needed that little bit of luck to stay alive in the competition.

After that, it was only a procession as the Indian bowlers led by Ganguly terminated the England innings at 169. The home team England, who was almost assured of a place in the Super Sixes, suddenly bowed out of the tournament. India made it to the next round at the cost of England.