This article explores the most memorable moments in Indian cricket, from the historic 1983 World Cup victory to recent triumphs. Spanning 79 years, the piece highlights significant milestones and records that have shaped the nation’s cricketing legacy.
India’s journey in cricket began with its first Test win in 1952 and has since seen several landmark achievements in ICC tournaments. The 1983 World Cup, where India defeated West Indies under Kapil Dev, is a pivotal moment. Sunil Gavaskar’s achievement of being the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket also stands out. The article revisits key performances, including the 175-run innings by Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe during the 1983 World Cup.
India’s early successes include a Test victory against England in 1952, with Vinoo Mankad’s impressive 12-wicket haul. The team also won its first Test series against Pakistan at home that year. Under Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s captaincy in 1967-68, India secured its first series win outside Asia. Ajit Wadekar’s team won series against West Indies and England in 1971, where Sunil Gavaskar set a record with 774 runs.
Beyond the 1983 World Cup, India’s achievements include the first Asia Cup win in 1987, and Sunil Gavaskar’s achievement of reaching 10,000 runs. The 2001 Kolkata Test against Australia showcased a strong comeback, with a vital partnership between VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, and Harbhajan Singh’s bowling.
Virender Sehwag’s triple century in 2004 marked a historic moment, making him the first Indian to achieve this in Test cricket. MS Dhoni’s leadership brought the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy, establishing him as a unique captain. The IPL’s introduction in 2008 dramatically changed T20 cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar’s double century in 2010 and his 100 international centuries were significant. India’s home dominance from 2013 to 2024 included 18 consecutive series wins. Recent highlights include Rohit Sharma’s 264-run innings in 2014, Virat Kohli’s first Test series win in Australia, and India’s victories in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.