Dilip Vengsarkar’s Top 3 performances in ODI Cricket

In this article, we will discuss Dilip Vengsarkar’s Top 3 performances in ODI Cricket. Every Indian cricket fan fondly remembers the World Cup 1983 wins. Every Indian cricket fan fondly remembers the 1983 World Cup win which changed the landscape of Indian cricket forever and put India on the cricket’s world map. One of the integral members of the Indian batting line-up in the World Cup was Dilip Vengsarkar. Unfortunately, Dilip Vengsarkar was ruled out of the World Cup mid-way after a lethal bouncer from Malcolm Marshall hit him in the face on his chin. 

Although he was still part of the World Cup squad that brought glory to the nation and is a World Cup winner. Dilip Vengsarkar was a significant part of the Indian limited overs setup during his playing days. He featured in 129 ODIs for India and scored 3,508 runs at an average of 34.39. He is 1 century and 23 half-centuries to his name in this ODI format.

In this article, we will highlight the top 3 performances of Dilip Vengsarkar in his ODI career: 

3) 95* vs Pakistan – Sharjah 1987 

Dilip Vengsarkar missed his century by just 5 runs in the 6th match of the iconic Sharjah Cup between India and Pakistan. After being invited to bat first, Indian batters could not get going in front of Pakistan’s lethal bowling attack. Pakistan’s captain wreaked havoc on the Indian batter by picking up 4 wickets. 

Dilip Vengsarkar was the only shining light for India who took India to a respectable total of 183 runs in their 50 overs courtesy to a 75-run stand with Manoj Prabhakar. In his 151-ball knock 95 runs, Vengsarkar hit only 7 boundaries. It is the highest score of his ODI career. 

2) 88* not out vs England – Jalandhar 1984 

Dilip Vengsarkar’s 2nd best knock of his ODI career is against England at the Gandhi Stadium in Jalandhar. He played a blistering knock of 88 not out to take India home in a close encounter against England. 

In a rain-curtailed match, India were set a target of 162 runs in 36 overs. India at one stage was floundering at 89 for 4 but Dilip Vengsarkar held his nerve and took India over the line with just 3 balls left. He scored 88 runs in 107 balls including 9 boundaries. It was one of his matches saving knocks that worth its weight more than a century as it won India the match. 

1) 105 vs England – Pune 1984 

Dilip Vengsarkar has 17 Test centuries to his name but in the ODI format, his lone century came against England in a losing cause. The stylish right-hander from Mumbai played some classy knocks in the ODI format too but he played his best ODI innings of 105 runs against England in Pune in 1984.  

In his 124-ball knock of 105, Vengsarkar smashed 10 boundaries and one maximum. He along with Kris Srikkanth (50) took India to 214 runs in 45 overs which England chased down comfortably with 10 balls to spare. Mike Gatting played a scintillating knock of 115 runs to get England over the line in this match.