Within the intricate fabric of cricket's historical narrative, India has hosted some of the most captivating and unforgettable cricket series. These contests range from fierce clashes between renowned adversaries to landmark victories and thrilling encounters. The cricketing terrain in India has been a stage for sagas that significantly contribute to the sport's enduring legacy. This piece delves into cricket history, highlighting 10 of the finest series ever played in India. Each of these series embodies the essence of competition, resilience, and the pure delight of witnessing cricketing brilliance come to life on the hallowed grounds of the Indian subcontinent.
1. New Zealand In India, 2003
The two-match series in India was a high-scoring affair, which saw many centuries being scored on either side. However, as there were good batters on both sides, the matches ended in a draw. It was a nightmarish affair for the bowlers as big runs were scored, making it difficult to take wickets. Of the seven innings played, only twice did the bowlers manage to take all ten wickets of the batting side.
2. Australia In India, 2013
In what was arguably the best ODI series played on Indian soil, the seven-match affair was a nail-biter, to say the least. With two matches ending up being no results, the remaining matches were all high-scoring encounters. India won three of these, while Australia took home the remaining two. Of the ten innings played across the five matches, nine saw three hundred-plus runs being scored.
3. South Africa In India, 2022
The three-match T20I series had plenty of ups and downs. The first match was a low-scoring affair which India won. The second match saw both the teams score more than two hundred runs. India won this thriller as well, winning the series. South Africa won the third game by 49 runs to gain some semblance of control, ending an exciting series.
4. Pakistan In India, 2005
A series that mirrored the 2003 New Zealand affair, it not only ended in a draw but also saw big runs being scored on either side. In the first match, no team could get the better of the other, and the match ended in a draw. The second game saw India win by a margin of 195 runs, and Pakistan salvaged a win in the third game by 168 runs to draw the series.
5. England In India, 2013
With England winning the first of five matches in a high-scoring ODI, India displayed an epic comeback in the next three ODIs to take the series home. India won all three with relative ease, followed by England making a comeback to win the final ODI by seven wickets. It was an entertaining series that swung both ways, giving equal opportunities for both the teams to win.
6. South Africa Vs India, 2019
The first match was abandoned without a ball being bowled. It left both the teams with a need to win the remaining two matches to win the T20I series. India displayed a dominating performance, restricting South Africa under 150 and chasing it comfortably with seven wickets remaining. In turn, South Africa won the third match by nine wickets to draw the series.
7. South Africa Vs India, 2008
The three-match test series saw many runs being scored in the first match but not nearly as many runs in the remaining two matches. The first match ended in a draw thanks to an excellent batting display from both the sides. South Africa won the second match by innings and 80 runs. India made a good comeback to win the last match by eight wickets and draw the series.
8. Sri Lanka In India, 2017
Sri Lanka got the better of Indian batters in the first match of the three-match ODI series. They won the first match comfortably by seven wickets. India worked on their batting and came back strong in the remaining two games, winning by 141 runs and eight wickets, winning the series in the process.
9. England In India, 2021
The five-match series went down to the last match for a winner to emerge. The teams won the T20s alternatively. England took the first and the third games by eight wickets, while India took the second game by seven wickets, and the fourth by eight runs. The final game saw India scoring big runs and England fell considerably short, as India won by 36 runs.
10. England In India, 2012
India put on a dominating performance in the first test of the four-match series, winning the game by nine wickets. England then scripted an epic comeback to win the next two matches, one by ten and the other by seven wickets, respectively. The final game saw a good batting display from the sides and hence resulted in a draw, with England taking the series home 2-1.
