IND vs ENG: India’s 6 Most Memorable Test Wins. The ongoing 5-match test series between India vs England showcases intense fight and class cricket from both teams. The intensity of their competition reached new peaks, and with a historical record of 132 matches between them, the venue was set for the riveting competition. The stats unveiled a bit unbalanced competition, with England winning 51 each and India 31.
As the series progresses, these numbers add a fascinating layer to the unfolding narrative, highlighting the rich and intriguing history of the competition experienced by both teams in Test cricket. Cricket is more than just a sport in India. The country has got a rich cricketing history and its Test team has been the epitome of resilience and success on the international stage. We travel down the annals of Indian cricket celebrating India’s top six memorable test victories that have set a mark.
1. India’s First Test Victory (1952)
The year 1952 entailed a historic moment in the Indian cricket fraternity when the national side of the country scripted its maiden victory in Tests. Playing against England at Madras now Chennai, India had won the match by an innings and 8 runs over its opponent. Vinoo Mankad was the star of the contest with a hundred and a 12-wicket match haul as he showed his all-round genius.
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The victory provided the stepping stone to India’s growing status in Test cricket as they found self-belief and pride which had hitherto been missing both on and off the field.
2.The Eden Gardens Miracle (2001)
Considered one of the greatest comebacks ever, just alongside with the victory won by India against Australia in 2001 at Eden Garden will remain spoken about and remembered for as long as Cricket is played and discussed. Given the task of reversing after being bowled out for 171 in the first innings, VVS Laxman’s epic 281 and Rahul Dravid’s gritty 180 changed the complexion of the game.
India declared the second innings on a mammoth total of 657/7, gifting the Aussies an almost impossible target. Harbhajan Singh scripted a historic hat-trick as India bowled Australia out to romp home by 171 runs in one of their most famous wins ever.
3. Adelaide Triumph (2003)
The victory against Australia, India made at Adelaide, 2003 testified this very audacity of the team.Setting a target of 230 runs on the final day, Rahul Dravid’s masterly knock of 233 ably supported by VVS Laxman guided India to a historic four wicket win.
The duo’s partnership of 303 runs remains etched in the annals of Indian cricket history. This win not only shattered a 16-match winning spree by Australia but also exemplified the resilience of India at foreign venues.
4.Border-Gavaskar Trophy Victory (2008):
They eventually script the historic win in Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 2008 which they won by 2-0 to mark ever first Test series victory is relative word. The victory became more special in Perth because they overcame a target of 413 runs. All these were possible only by the special performance of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.
Ishant Sharma’s fiery spell in the fourth day including the memorable dismissal of Ponting played a big role in setting up India’s victory. That series win was somewhat a watershed moment in Indian cricket, heralding their arrival as the force to reckon with on the international stage.
5. The Lords Triumph (2014):
In 2014, the Mecca of cricket, Lords saw a historic Indian win. Playing against England, inspired fast bowling spell of Ishant Sharma on the final day where he claimed 7 wickets paved the way for India’s triumph. India ended up chasing 319 runs during which Murali Vijay scored a century and Ajinkya Rahane played a crucial knock.
It was a special victory at Lords after 28 years for Indian cricket as it proved that India now can do what not many teams could earlier – conquer traditional cricketing powerhouses on their home turf.
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6.Down Under Glory (2021):
Of course, special mention has to be made of India’s win in Australia in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Battling injuries, bio-bubble concerns, and lacking nearly half their key personnel, India’s resilience on their way to an incredible series win, was one for the ages. India’s spectacular win in the final Test at Gabba against Australia, where they chased down 328 on a deteriorating fifth day to clinch the series 2-1, is one such epochal triumph which defines a team with character and combativeness.
India’s younger guns – Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and even Washington Sundar – played crucial knocks full of meaning and purpose, ensuring the depth in Indian cricket wasn’t compromised. Conclusively, these top six test victories inculcate a spirit displaying the prosperity of Indian cricket along with its resilience.
