Five landmark events that changed the course of Indian Cricket

Since it's first game in 1932 till today, Indian Cricket has come a long way. It's journey from being a dark horse to a sporting powerhouse was marked by several landmark events that in turn went on to change the face of Indian Cricket and helped it shape into what it is today – the most prosperous and indomitable fortress in World Cricket.

Here we look at top five of these historic events that we believe were instrumental in changing the course of Indian cricket.

indias-first-overseas-win-1968 Five landmark events that changed the course of Indian Cricket

1. India's first series win on foreign soil – New Zealand, 1968

Often regarded as the architect of Modern Indian Cricket, former Indian skipper Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi led from the front to ensure India of a notable mention in cricketing history during the test series against New Zealand in 1968. The Kiwis had the most magical bowling line up that could wreck the most dangerous batting order in the world. However, Indian spin duo of Bishen Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna managed to get under the skin of the black cap's batting line up to guide India to their history first overseas win. With this result, India registered their first ever series victory on a foreign turf with a 3-1 win in a four match test series, thus announcing their serious arrival into the world of Cricket.

1983-world-cup-win Five landmark events that changed the course of Indian Cricket

2. Winning the 1983 World Cup

Team India shocked the world with their victory in the 1983 World Cup finals against the two time champions West Indies at the Lord's. A young team India under Kapil Dev's courageous leadership had done the impossible and caused a major coup in world cricket. The visuals of Kapil Dev holding the World Cup at the Lord's balcony were a declaration of what future held on the cards for Indian Cricket and it's rise in the coming days. Back home, the inspiring win brought in a great sense of pride and self belief in the heart of a newly Independent India and the sport became a massive hit among the masses. Not only that, India's illustrious success inspired a generation of future cricketing greats of the country.

natwest-win-2002 Five landmark events that changed the course of Indian Cricket

3. Natwest Trophy 2002

One of India's greatest series wins ever, Natwest series has been etched as one of the most defining chapters in the history of Indian Cricket. Team India, had become a formidable side with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VSS Laxman and Saurav Ganguly but seemed to lack aggression and had a mixed start to the 2000s. In the finals, England had handed India a target of 326, which in those days was considered insurmountable. The loss of Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly had further added to India's miseries. However, a young Yuvraj Singh and Muhammad Kaif pulled India out of troubled waters and guided them to what we today know as one of India's most iconic wins. The scene of Dada taking off his shirt and waving it at the Lord's balcony was a roaring announcement of what India was becoming as a nation – a superpower with a strong intent to win at all costs and well aware of its weight and worth, both on and off the field.

t20-world-cup-victory-2007 Five landmark events that changed the course of Indian Cricket

4. India winning the T20 World cup in 2007

The T20 format received mixed response in the beginning with some conservatives dismissing it as 'non serious cricket'. Many Cricket boards also had a dismissive approach towards the format. Nonetheless, the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup began in South Africa in the year 2007. India, after enduring a heartbreaking exit from the 50 over world cup at the hands of Bangladesh arrived for the tournament with a young and inexperienced team in the absence of regular veterans under a new captain – MS Dhoni. The events that unfolded in South Africa helped the fans quickly pick the format. India's journey was marked by many thrilling and exciting contests that included a fun bowl out victory against arch rivals Pakistan, Yuvraj Singh launching English pacer Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over and of course the nail-biting victory against Pakistan in the finals. All this contributed to the format becoming an instant hit among the cricket fans. The huge success of the tournament also added to the excitement for the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League. Not to forget, the victory also marked the arrival of India's most brilliant and successful captain MS Dhoni who in turn scripted many chapters of guts and glory for Indian Cricket.

ipl-trophy-old Five landmark events that changed the course of Indian Cricket

5. Inception of the Indian Premier League, 2008

Indian Premier League or the IPL is the biggest testament of Indian supremacy in world cricket. Introduced in the year 2008, the glamour rich cricketing extravaganza instantly struck a chord with the fans around the world and went on to become one the most popular sporting spectacle. Since its inception till today, the tournament has only gotten bigger and better. The cash rich league featuring big names from India and around the world with the added 'tadka' of Bollywood celebrities as owners and ambassadors has added to the popularity of the game even among young girls, women and people from non-cricketing nations who otherwise take no major interest in the sport. Most importantly, the league has served as the biggest talent hunt platform for the youth of the country, giving them righteous rewards, experience and top notch exposure that has gone into building many world class cricketers for India.

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