In cricket, winning by a slim margin of runs is quite uncommon. Most teams would score just one run to win the game. It depends on how well that team bats in the last innings of the game. Teams with strong fighting qualities compete to the last end and win games by just one run. But, these close-cutting matches are extremely thrilling to watch for the fans. Let us look at the wins of the Indian cricket team by the closest margins.
1. India Vs. South Africa (2010 ODI) – 1 Run
On February 21, 2010, India and South Africa played an ICC One-Day International (ODI). This game took place at the Jaipur stadium. India won by one run after chasing a massive total of 299 runs in that inning. This match was easily won by South Africa. However, India won on the final ball thanks to Dhoni's captaincy and Munaf Patel's bowling.
2. India Vs. West Indies (1994 ODI) – 4 Runs
Sachin Tendulkar (54) and Ajay Jadeja (38) combined for India's first wicket of 64 runs. Navjot Singh Sidhu, on the other hand, put the hosts in command with a fine century. Batting at No. 3, he smashed nine fours and two sixes to score an unbeaten 114 off 103 balls. Sidhu's innings propelled India to 260 for 4 in 44 overs. Phil Simmons (51) and Stuart Williams (49), who needed 261 in 43 overs to win, added 86 for the first wicket. Carl Hooper then entered the fray and smashed an unbeaten 74 off 47 balls. He could only manage two points with six needed off the final ball from Manoj Prabhakar to tie the game. As a result, India won by just four runs.
3. India Vs. Pakistan (2007 T20 World Cup) – Tied And Bowl-Out
The first tie of the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa occurred in the group game between India and Pakistan. India reached 141 in 20 overs thanks to Robin Uthappa's quickfire fifty. Misbah-ul-haq of Pakistan was once again the sole survivor, scoring 53 off 35 balls. Even though Pakistan had the game well in hand, they were unable to complete the task in the final over, forcing the game to a tie-breaker. The ICC's newly implemented bowl-out came into play when Pakistan missed two chances while India hit the stumps in all three attempts.
4. India Vs. Pakistan (2007 T20 World Cup Final) – 5 Runs
India elected to bat first, with opener Gautam Gambhir leading the way with a 54-ball 75. Even though India had only managed 157 runs in their 20 overs, the game was still evenly balanced. With Pakistan needing 13 runs to win in the final over, captain MS Dhoni took a risk by giving the ball to the lesser-known Joginder Sharma. Pakistan only needs six runs in three balls after hitting a six in the second ball of the over. Misbah attempted a switch hit this time but was beaten as the ball flew high in the air. Sreesanth was the man beneath it all, catching the ball and, with it, the 2007 T20 World Cup in an unconvincing manner.
5. India Vs. Bangladesh (2016 T20 World Cup) – 1 Run
Bangladesh needed 11 from the last over with four wickets in hand to chase down India's 146 for seven at the 2016 T20 World Cup in Bengaluru. Hardik Pandya gave up a single to Mahmudullah, was hit for two fours by Mushfiqur Rahim, and when it came down to two from three deliveries, M.S. Dhoni's men pulled off a miracle by taking a wicket and successfully defending the total.
6. India Vs. Pakistan (1987 ODI) – Tied And India Won
India batted first and scored 212 runs thanks to half-centuries from Ravi Sashtri and Kapil Dev. In response, Pakistan was dominant early on, with Saleem Malik scoring 84 runs. However, Gopal Sharma dismissed Saleem, and India made a comeback in the game. Two runs were needed off the final ball, but Pakistan could only manage one, tying the game. It was later announced that India had won the match because they had lost fewer wickets than Pakistan.
7. India Vs. England (2011 World Cup) – Tied
After a brilliant century by Sachin Tendulkar and a fine half-century by Yuvraj Singh, India scored 338/10 in 49.5 overs. In response, England pursued aggressively. The English captain, Andrew Strauss, put on a batting display, scoring 158 runs in the chase. Ian Bell contributed 69 runs as well. In the 43rd over, Zaheer Khan dismissed Strauss to bring India back into the game. England finished with the same total, and the game was tied. Both teams were given one point.
8. India Vs. Sri Lanka (2009 ODI) – 3 Runs
India batted first and scored 414/7 in 50 overs in a high-scoring game. In response, the top three Sri Lankan batters delivered such magnificent knocks that India was on the verge of an unexpected defeat. With two set batters on the crease, Angelo Mathews and Thilina Kandamby, Sri Lanka only needed 15 runs in the final two overs. Tendulkar effected a run out on the second ball of the 49th over, sending Kandamby back. The Lankan Lions continued to lose wickets and fell short by 3 runs at this point in the game.
9. India Vs. England (2013 Champions Trophy Final) – 5 Runs
With 20 needed off 16 balls and Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara at the crease, England was set for a historic victory after chasing a modest 130 in a game reduced to 20 overs per side due to rain. Morgan's dismissal for 33, however, was the first of four wickets to fall for three runs in eight balls as the team was struck by nerves. England finished with a score of 124-8 after James Tredwell missed the final ball of the innings with six balls remaining.
10. India Vs. Pakistan (2022 T20 World Cup) – 4 Wickets (0 Balls Left)
With a magnificent 53-ball 82 not out, Virat Kohli single-handedly powered India to an epic four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their big-ticket T20 World Cup match. Pakistan battled back from a shaky start to post a fighting 159 for eight. India finished the chase in the last ball, with Kohli and Hardik Pandya (40) scoring most of the runs after a disastrous start to their innings.
