10 best pictures that define the India-Pakistan rivalry in World T20s

A cricket match between India and Pakistan can only be compared to the hype of Brazil vs Argentina in football as the sheer enigma of the contest is no less than the Latin American tussle for supremacy. These two neighboring countries and arch-rivals are scheduled to battle it out once again in the upcoming ICC World T20 on March 19 in Kolkata. The India-Pakistan fixture is not just a cricket match for the supporters and for the players it’s certainly much more than it. The passion reaches the sky limits every time these two cricketing giants meet on the field.Every generation of cricket fans can associate with the hype and pressure of an India vs Pakistan match. In the previous five World T20, these two teams have given us some very memorable moments to cherish as a cricket fan.India dominated Pakistan in World T20s as the managed to keep their winning streak over their arch-rivals in World Cups by never losing a match in the World T20s. India made it very special in the second encounter by clinching the inaugural World T20 title back in 2007.With these two teams ready to battle it out once again at the World stage of the shortest format of the game. Here is a look at this iconic rivalry in World T20s in pictures:

#10 Robin Uthappas bow

Robin Uthappa’s bow during the bowl-out

The first encounter of these two arch-rivals finished in a draw at Durban after both sides managed to score 141 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. The match went to the first ever bowl-out in the history of World T20s which India won 3-0.

Robin Uthappa was India’s star as his valiant knock of 50 of just 39 balls guided India towards a respectable total of 141 as he was equally supported by captain MS Dhoni. Pakistan was cruising towards victory before Misbah-ul-Haq was run out on the last ball of the Pakistani innings.

Newly appointed India skipper MS Dhoni opted to go for part-time bowlers instead of specialist bowlers in the bowl-out which was introduced as a tie-breaker. The bowl-out gave Robin Uthappa a chance to show his bowling skills and he took it in style.

The celebration he made after hitting the wickets is nothing less than an iconic moment. The Karnataka-born player took off his cap and bowed the Durban crowd.

#9 Yuvraj Singhs roar

Yuvraj Singh celebrates after taking a wicket

After guiding India to a World Cup in 2011, the man of the tournament Yuvraj Sing was diagnosed with cancer. The left-handed batsman won in his bought with the disease and made a superb comeback to international cricket just before the World T20 2012.

The 20th match of the ICC World T20 2012 was played between India and Pakistan which India won by 8 wickets. On that day, Yuvraj shined both with ball and bat as he picked up two important wickets and also remained unbeaten on 19 as he guided India towards another famous victory.

His celebration after taking the wicket of Nasir Jamshed in that match brought tears in the eyes of many cricket fans around the world. The roar of Yuvraj Singh was back in international cricket once again.

#8 Kohli-Raina guides India towards victory

Virat Kohli (left) and Suresh Raina celebrates after victory

The 13th match of the ICC World T20 2014 was again played between India and Pakistan at Dhaka, this time, India won the match by 7 wickets as they keep the streak intact. This Group encounter was dominated by the Indians, who were a better side in all the departments.

Pakistan posted 130 on the board in their scheduled 20 overs after a disciplined Indian bowling performance. In reply, India never looked in any discomfort as they won the match by 7 wickets and with 9 balls to spare.

Indian middle-order batsmen Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina played beautifully on that day as they guide India to victory. Their celebration after Kohli’s winning hit is something which will be remembered for a long time.

#7 Balajis celebration after getting Afridi out

Balaji celebrates Afridi’s wicket

Lakshmipathy Balaji made a comeback to international cricket after good IPL performance and He took it with both hands when India played Pakistan in 2012 World T20. The Chennai-born cricketer was instrumental in Indian’s 8 wicket victory over their neighbors at Colombo.

He picked up 3 wickets as Pakistan were all out for a modest total of 128. His figure of 3/22 in 3.4 overs was excellent in the circumstances as he showed his caliber once again.

But the best moment of his spell came when he picked the wicket of the dangerous Shahid Afridi. The celebration was more emphatic as he ran towards his teammates with a firm fist.

#6 Virat Kohli the star

Virat Kohli guides India towards victory in 2012

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the world of cricket today and the right-hand batsman has the knack of shining in the important matches. The 2012’s encounter is one of the many examples of his batting master-class.

Chasing a modest total of 128, India endured an early set-back in the form of opener Gautam Gambhir. Then came Kohli at number 3 and he owned the Pakistani bowlers on that glorious night in Colombo.

His unbeaten knock of 78 of 61 balls was crafted with 8 fours and two maximums as he single-handedly. The Delhi-born cricketer was outstanding with his shot selection and paced his innings with perfection.

#5 India winning the bowl-out

Indian players celebrates after winning the bowl-out

The first ever World T20 clash between India and Pakistan ended in a draw and bowl-out was called upon as the tie breaker. The procedure is similar to a penalty shootout in football as five bowlers from each team deliver one ball each at an unguarded wicket which they have to hit.

India won the bowl-out 3-0 as none of the Pakistani players were able to hit the wickets. Indian skipper MS Dhoni made a bold move by giving the ball to part-time bowler Robin Uthappa who didn’t disappoint him.

India made use of the first three opportunities and after Shahid Afridi missed his chance, India established a 3-0 lead which saw the winning their only bowl-out ever.

#4 Gautam Gambhirs 75 in the 2007 final

Gautam Gambhir on his way to 75 in the 2007 final

India won the inaugural World T20 back in 2007 at Johannesburg by beating Pakistan by 5 runs in a nail-biting encounter. MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat first.

In the absence of injured Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir opened the innings with debutant Yusuf Pathan, who gave India a flying start before getting out of 15. Then Gambhir played a sheet-anchors role as he played a superb innings of 75 of 54 balls.

The innings was decorated with 8 fours and 2 sixes as he was responsible for taking India to a respectable total of 157. The Delhi-born cricket who went win to win another World Cup for his nation was the best Indian batsman in the tournament in 2007.

#3 An excited MS Dhoni

Dhoni celebrates after winning the title in 2007

Captain cool MS Dhoni, who is arguably the most successful captain of the Indian cricket team, is known for his composer in the field. But the India-Pakistan encounter even extracted passionate expression in him back in 2007.

Captaining India in his first tournament, he led India towards a World title and that too against Pakistan in the final. September 24, 2007, is a very special day for the Indian cricket as the MS Dhoni-led team were crowned champions of the world in the shortest format on that day.

After Misbah-ul-Haq got out the whole country started celebrating and the architect of that dream was also seen fist pumping in front of a packed crowd.

#2 The World T20 winning delivery

Joginder Sharma’s World T20 winning delivery

With 13 runs needed in the last 6 balls and with Misbah-ul-Haq on strike Pakistan were the firm favorites to win the inaugural World T20 title. Indian captain chooses not to throw the ball to his most experienced bowler Harbhajan Singh and opted for Joginder Sharma.

Sharma started the over with a wide followed by a dot ball. The next ball was a full-toss which went for a six over his head and took Pakistan even closer to the target.

The next ball saw India winning the World T20 as Misbah chooses to scoop a full delivery over short-fine-leg and Sreesanth made no mistake as he catches the ball cleanly.

#1 Champions

The Indian team celebrating with the trophy

The only World Cup final which was played between these two arch-rivals made India the champions of the world in 2007. A young Indian team led by MS Dhoni went on to win the first ever World T20 in South Africa.

On the way to the title, India played a very aggressive brand of cricket beating the likes of South Africa, England, Australia and Pakistan. Every player in the squad contributed whenever called upon.

India finally crowned the world champions after 24 years and that too with a very young and inexperienced team led by a young captain. This is surely one of the best moments in the India-Pakistan rivalry in World T20 matches.