On several occasions, India has put England in its place, a country that ruled India and claims to be the inventor of cricket
The month of August is an emotional month for India, a country that was ruled by the British for approximately 200 years. And after decades of revolt, India finally gained its freedom on 15 August 1947. The month, and especially the date, brings back old scars but also reminds us of our journey and how far we have come as a nation in 79 years.
Over the past 79 years, India has excelled in various sports, particularly cricket. And speaking of cricket, the occasion of Independence Day gives us an opportunity to highlight India’s greatest wins against England, its former coloniser, and a country that claims to be the inventor of the game.
Note that we have only listed five victories that are our absolute favourites, as it is impossible to list all the major ones.
India’s first Test match after gaining independence against England was in 1952. After that, India played numerous series, but victory against England on English soil remained unachieved. However, it all changed when India scripted a historic win on English soil in the 1971 series. Out of three games, the first two matches ended in a draw, but in the third game played at the Oval, India pulled off a miraculous victory.
It feels like yesterday when Sourav Ganguly took off his shirt and swung it from the Lord’s balcony, a staunch reply to Andrew Flintoff, who had done the same in 2002 at the Wankhede. England had put on a score of 325, which seemed lofty after the Indian middle order collapsed. However, a young Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif ensured India’s victory with two heroic innings. The victory and Ganguly’s celebration were a message to England that India no longer accepted bullish behaviour.
(Credit- India Today)
This victory makes it on our list simply because of one over – Yuvraj Singh and his six sixes that left Stuart Broad and England with a red face. South African player Herschelle Gibbs had done the impossible, but in an ODI against the Netherlands. However, Yuvraj Singh pulling off the same against the mighty England side in the T20 World Cup gave us a permanent chapter in the history books of cricket.
(Credit- ESPN Cricinfo)
In this paragraph, we have no option but to include two matches. The first one is from the 1983 World Cup played between England and India at Manchester. We all know how, back then, India was treated as an underdog by the organisers and even the home fans. However, India stunned England in the semi-final and went on to win its first-ever World Cup – on English soil, no less.
(Credit - ESPN Cricinfo)
The second is India, which secured another victory in England for an ICC trophy -- the 2013 Champions Trophy, won by defeating England in Birmingham. The victory completed Dhoni’s trophy cabinet as a captain.
Last but not least, the recent victory at the Oval will always remain our favourite. In fact, many pundits have hailed it as one of the best Test matches ever played.
