The 2023 Asia Cup got off to a flying start with Pakistan defeating Nepal by a massive 238 runs at the Multan Cricket Stadium on August 30. Meanwhile, Team India began their campaign with a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 2.
Flipping through the history books, India remains the most successful team in the history of the Asia Cup, with a total of seven titles (1984, 1988, 1990, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018). Sri Lanka are in the second spot with six wins (1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2022), followed by Pakistan (2000, 2012).
In this article, we take a look at India’s 3 biggest wins in ODI Asia Cup history.
3. 9 wickets (168 balls remaining) vs Bangladesh (1997)
In the 6th match of the 1997 Asia Cup, India registered a massive nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Electing to field first, the Indian bowlers restricted the opponents to 130/8 in a 43-over game. Robin Singh was brilliant with the ball as he took three wickets. In reply, Sourav Ganguly and captain Sachin Tendulkar gave a good start. Tendulkar departed after scoring 28 off 21 balls but Ganguly remained unbeaten on 73 off 52 balls. He and Mohammad Azharuddin finished off the game with 168 balls to spare.
2. 10 wickets (170 balls remaining) vs Sri Lanka (1984)
India started their campaign in the inaugural edition of the Asia Cup with a resounding 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Sharjah. Captain Sunil Gavaskar won the toss and elected to field first and dismissed the opposition for 96 runs in 41 overs. Chetan Sharma and Madan Lal did the brunt of the damage, picking up four wickets each. In reply, openers Surinder Khanna (51 off 69) and Ghulam Parkar (32 off 68) finished off the innings in 21.4 overs to register a massive win for India. The Men in Blue finished on top of the table and were declared the first Asia Cup winners.
1. 256 runs vs Hong Kong (2008)
India launched their 2008 Asia Cup campaign with a bang, demolishing minnows Hong Kong by 256 runs. Opting to bat first, the Men in Blue registered a massive score of 374/4 on the back of centuries by Suresh Raina (101 off 68 balls) and skipper MS Dhoni (109* off 96 balls). In reply, Hong Kong were bundled out for a paltry 118 in 36.5. Piyush Chawla was the main destroyer, picking up four wickets, while Virender Sehwag took two wickets.