In the realm of cricket, there is a rivalry between India (IND) and Pakistan (PAK) that transcends all levels of intensity. The two countries have a shared history in addition to a shared history in cricket. On and off the pitch, though, the two sides have been at odds since 1952 in the ODI World Cup.
The two teams didn’t play each other in an ICC ODI World Cup until the 1992 World Cup in Australia, where India easily defeated Pakistan. This began an unbroken record that has lasted for thirty-one years. India currently enjoys an 8-0 unbeaten streak after defeating Pakistan in the 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 ODI World Cups, consecutively.
In the most recent match of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma completely humiliated the 192-run target. Also, in his 86-ball innings, he hit six sixes and as many fours, giving India the victory in the first ten overs of the match. In World Cups, Indian hitters have consistently produced such an innings against Pakistan.
Here are Five Incredible Indian Batting Wins Against Pakistan in ODI World Cups:
Indian batting wins in ODI World Cup:
5. Ajay Jadeja (45, 1996 World Cup):
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru hosted the quarterfinal match of the 1996 ODI World Cup. India chose to bat first, and the side was led by Navjot Singh Sidhu’s 93 runs. The squad remained in the chase for a large score because of the contributions of Mohammed Azharuddin (27), Vinod Kamble (24), and Sachin Tendulkar (31).
Waqar Younis was the victim, but Ajay Jadeja provided the main impetus. Anil Kumble hit Younis for two fours in the 48th over, setting off a chain reaction of violence that saw Jadeja end with two fours and a six.
Aaqib Javed, a pacer, took a wicket in the 49th over but also let up two fours in the final three balls. Ajay Jadeja hit Younis for a six in the last over and a four off the opening two balls as well. Even after Younis removed Jadeja, India managed to reach 287/8 with him having amassed 45 from 25 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
4. Sachin Tendulkar (98, 2003 WC):
In a day match at the 2003 ODI World Cup in Centurion, India and Pakistan faced off. After batting first, Pakistan amassed 273/7 in 50 overs, led by a century from Saeed Anwar. In response, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis—India’s three main pacers—were dismantled. Before being dismissed for 21 runs, Virender Sehwag hit Younis with a gorgeous six-over point.
But then Sourav Ganguly was duped by a golden duck, as Sachin Tendulkar continued his onslaught. His cut shot for a six-over point to Sohaib Akhtar will always be included in any India vs. Pakistan highlight reel.
He dominated the Pakistani bowlers, hitting 12 fours and an incredible six to score 98 runs in 75 balls. Near the end, he stumbled over a short ball that Akhtar threw. However, Yuvraj Singh (50*) and Rahul Dravid (44*) saw India through with six wickets remaining.
3. Virat Kohli (107, 2015 WC):
India and Pakistan faced off during the 2015 ODI World Cup at Adelaide Oval. After winning the toss, MS Dhoni decided to bat first. Shikhar Dhawan took the early lead, scoring 73 off 76 balls. Virat Kohli, however, was the player of the match, smashing a spectacular 107 with eight fours. India scored 300/7 with 74 more runs made by Suresh Raina.
In his brilliant knock against a rampaging Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan, Kohli also deftly navigated Sohail Khan, who claimed five wickets against India. Nonetheless, Kohli was able to easily establish India’s launching pad for later overs while also dominating the game.
2. Sachin Tendulkar (85, 2011 WC):
This list features another appearance by Sachin Tendulkar. This time, he was knocked out during the crucial 2011 ODI World Cup semi-final game in Mohali. Once more, MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first. The Pakistani bowlers were having a field day on the challenging pitch.
But Sachin Tendulkar’s good fortune was evident as he avoided an LBW call against Saeed Ajmal’s bowling. In that match, Tendulkar worked his way to a solid 85 in 115 balls with 11 fours, while Pakistan also gave up four of his catches. His composed demeanour at the wicket let others chip in, and in 50 overs, India reached a formidable 260/9.
1. Rohit Sharma (140, 2019 WC):
When India and Pakistan faced each other in the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, Rohit Sharma recorded the best individual score between the two teams. Unexpectedly, Sarfaraz Ahmed, the captain of Pakistan, won the toss and decided to bowl first in Manchester.
This backfired as Rohit Sharma (136) and KL Rahul (57) put up 136 for the first wicket. Then, for the second wicket, Virat Kohli (77) and Rohit Sharma contributed 98 runs. In just 113 balls, Rohit Sharma scored 140 magnificent runs, including 14 fours and 3 sixes. Having fallen in the 39th over, he was upset because he knew he had a chance to hit another ODI double tonne.
So, this was all about the incredible batting of India against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup history. Also read, Fans react on footballer Neymar Jr ACL injury statement.