9 Title Wins By India Which Will Forever Be Etched In The Memory Of Cricket Fans

Since our inception into international cricket, India has evolved in the game over the last 87 years. In fact if there is one thing we will be grateful to the British for, is introducing us to the game that is no less than a religion in India. Cricket has been the peg of unity and almost everyone gets involved when a match is going on. Growing up, most of us remember how an India match was no less than an occasion in the household, and if it was on the weekend, well the TV would be held hostage to just one channel.

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We have had some great moments in the game and secured some major titles. India have conquered the world more than once and have scaled heights in recent times that were considered inconceivable in the past. Needless to say, some of these title wins are going to be embedded in our memories forever. There are plenty to choose from, so let's take a look at the ones that are part of cricketing folklore:

1. 1983 World Cup

In a final against the defending champions West Indies, India were clearly the underdogs. After they were bundled out for 183 it became more apparent. But history records a different story. We fought back to bowl them out for 140 and the 43-run win saw the dawn of a new era in the game.

2. 1985 World Championship of Cricket

An India vs Pakistan final is always a recipe for entertainment. But Sunil Gavaskar's men pegged them back and restricted the Men in Green to 175/9. It was the only time in the tournament that we did not bowl a side out. India won the game with 8 wickets in hand to take home the crown without losing a single match in the tournament.

3. 1998 Independence Cup

In what was perhaps the most epic encounter between India and Pakistan, we were set a target of 315 in 48 overs. Back then it had to be a world record run-chase. Saeed Anwar (140) and Ijaz Ahmed (117) had destroyed our bowling and now it was time to return the favour. Sourav Ganguly (124) and Robin Singh (82) took us to a position of strength before wickets began to fall. It came down to 3 runs needed in 3 balls and Hrishikesh Kanitkar sent Saqlain Mushtaq's ball to the boundary to win the game with 3 wickets and 1 ball left.

4. 2002 Natwest Trophy

We all remember Sourav Ganguly's famous shirt-wave on the Lord's balcony. India were chasing 326 to win and the skipper led from the front with a brilliant 60. But for 106/0 they collapsed to 146/5. Yuvraj Singh (69) and Mohammad Kaif (87*) put on 121 runs for the 6th wicket to keep us in the hunt. We eventually won with 2 wickets and 3 balls in hand to seal a memorable win.

5. 2007 World T20 Championship

Once again it was India vs Pakistan in a major final and the Men in Blue came up trumps once again. With 12 needed off the last over for the Men in Green, MS Dhoni gave the ball to Joginder Sharma. It proved to be a masterstroke as India won by 5 runs to become the first ever T20 champions.

6. 2010 Asia Cup

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After 15 years, India ended their Asia Cup drought. The win over Sri Lanka saw them become kings of Asia. Sadly, due to the FIFA World Cup going on at the same time, this victory sort of went unnoticed among Indian fans.

7. 2011 World Cup

The match-winning six by MS Dhoni remains an iconic moment for all of us. Mumbai and India as a whole celebrated that night. Chasing a target of 275, India were in trouble after both Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar fell cheaply. Gautam Gambhir (97) and Dhoni (91*) then took the mantle after Virat Kohli departed having got a start. Gambhir missed a hundred, but Dhoni took them over the line. It was our first World Cup after 28 years.

8. 2013 Champions Trophy

Beating England in England to win the second most important trophy in ODIs is no mean achievement. In a game shortened to 20 overs per innings, India held their nerve despite not defending a large score. In the end it was a 5-run win we were the winners.

9. 2016 Asia Cup

The T20 format tournament was reduced to a 15-over affair and India won the game fairly easily to become Asian Champions once again.