Three most dramatic last-ball finishes for India in cricket history

Cricket is a game not for the faint-hearted. This saying is pretty right because the kind of action cricket offers is unparalleled by maybe any other sport. We have seen many great matches over the decades and some matches just make the fans bite their nails from the first ball itself. There have been many great battles which have gone right down to the wire and have made the fans have their hearts in their mouth.

Over the last decade or so, international cricket has gotten even more competitive with most of the top nations having their own 20-20 league. This has led to a surge of great players emerging from each nation and the top nations have some competition from other countries as well. Let’s take a look at some of the most dramatic last-ball finishes which involve the Indian cricket team.

Three most dramatic last-ball finishes for India in cricket history: –

1. India vs Pakistan (2022)

 One of the greatest wins in Indian cricket history and the win that will stay in the hearts and minds of Indians around the world. Pakistan set a target of 160 for India to chase at the mighty MCG in testing conditions. India lost four wickets for just 30-odd and were staring down a defeat.

Former Indian Skipper Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya ensured that India was still in the game and took the game to the last over where they required 16 runs. Drama unfolded when Hardik got out first ball and then it was up to Kohli, who hit a six off a no-ball and ran three of the free-hit. India required two runs from one ball, from where Ashwin finished the game and India clinched a famous win.

2. India vs England (2011)

 The ICC World Cup match between India and England on February 27, 2011, included an unusual occurrence that was viewed by the whole cricketing community. As the game ended in a tie, the entire Bengaluru stadium watched in a state of shock. Supporters of both nations recall a day when their team came close to winning but ultimately earned a tie.

The final over was bowled by Munaf Patel when England only needed 14 runs to win the game. Until Shahzad smacked a massive six on the third ball of the over, Swann and him restricted themselves to singles and doubles. With each of the ensuing balls bringing in two runs, England only needed two runs to win. Swann delivered Patel’s delivery to mid-off straight, but he only got a single out of the last ball which resulted the match being a high-stakes tie

3. India vs Bangladesh (2018)

In the packed R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in March 2018, India defeated Bangladesh by four wickets to win the Nidahasa trophy thanks in large part to a brilliant knock by Dinesh Karthik, who maintained composure under duress. In the title-deciding match, India needed 5 runs off the final ball, but Karthik showed steely nerves and sent Soumya Sarkar towards extra cover for a six to secure India’s victory.

In his 29-run, 8-ball innings, the right-hander hammered three sixes and two boundaries. Karthik entered the crease with India down and out and his knock proved to be pivotal in the final ball chase.