The Indian cricket team are all set to welcome Diwali 2023, by playing the Netherlands in their final Round Robin fixture of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium on November 12, 2023. India have already qualified for the semi-finals while the eliminated Netherlands are on their way home, and this situation casts a perception of insignificance on their fixture. India will look to maintain the momentum going into the semi-final clash against New Zealand by ticking off a few team goals against the Netherlands. (Streaming | Preview | Scorecard | 3 Key Battles)
Speaking about Diwali 2023, the festival of lights, has always been a day of good results and it seems to bring out the best in the Men In Blue. Since Diwali is the most important festival of this long festive season, Rohit Sharma's men always seem to celebrate the festival away from their loved ones.
Over the years, the Indian cricket team have played matches on Diwali and have produced some great results and making the day more memorable for the billions of fans around the world.
Here are few matches from Team India that have been played on Diwali:
1) IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2022, Melbourne
Well, who would forget this day! Star batter Virat Kohli played one of the all-time classic knocks against arch-rivals Pakistan in a jam-packed MCG to take the Men In Blue towards a clinical victory. Chasing 160, Rohit Sharma's men had lost four wickets for 31 runs. However, Kohli wrote himself in the history books as his knock of 82 off 53 deliveries, rattled the Men In Green as Indian cricket fans welcomed Diwali with a bang. Recently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded Kohli's shot off Haris Rauf for a six as the "shot of the century".
2) IND vs AUS, World Cup 1987, Delhi
A World Cup that was held outside the English shores for the very first time, as India and Pakistan jointly hosted the marquee tournament. After a narrow defeat at the hands of the Aussies in their first meeting in Chennai, Kapil Dev-led India made sure there wasn't a repeat of the same as India beat the men from Down Under by 56 runs. In India's reply of 289/6, Aussies showed some grit in the run-chase but were eventually bowled out for 233.
3) IND vs SA, Hero Cup 1993 Semi-Final, Kolkata
Another game that was lit up not only by the lights and diyas in the country but by Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar's heroics. Well, in this case, the Mumbai-born delivered with the ball rather than the bat. Batting first, India were bowled out for a paltry 195 with Mohammad Azharuddin playing a vital knock of 90 and a solitary effort of 48 by Pravin Amre. However, India returned the favours with a good bowling performance but Proteas fought back as well. With six needed to win, skipper Azharuddin handed the ball to Tendulkar. His first delivery saw a single and it brought Allan Donald on strike. However, Donald could not convert into runs and Tendulkar's next three deliveries were dots. Fifth was a single and brought all-rounder Brian McMillan on strike. With four required in the final ball, the South African could only muster a single and India won the game by two runs sending the stadium into ecstasy.
4) IND vs SL, Jaipur ODI, 2005
The day when Mahendra Singh Dhoni truly announced himself to the world. The wicketkeeper-batter saw himself promoted up the order as he blasted an unbeaten 183 off just 145 balls and steered India to victory against Sri Lanka. Diwali came early for Indian cricket fans as Dhoni blasted 15 fours and 10 towering maximums. Dhoni's knock lit up the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur as it remains one of the most memorable knocks ever played in the history of Indian cricket.
