The Most Iconic Cricket Teams in India

Jai Salier | 12:00am GMT 26 January 2025

In India, cricket transcends sport. It is a culture that brings together millions of people throughout the country. From its conception to its current global status, India has been home to some of the greatest teams ever assembled, and seen some remarkable moments in the history of the sport.

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In this article, we explore Indian cricket through time, looking into important teams, glorious memories, and notable players who have left an indelible mark on the sport.

Early Years of Indian Cricket

Cricket has been played in various parts of India for the last 300 years or so, but is formally documented in history as a little over 150 years old. It started in the 18th century when the British government brought the game to the subcontinent. The first match was played in 1721, but the organized version of cricket is said to have originated in 1792 with the birth of the Calcutta Cricket Club. The sport soon became popular among the upper classes of India, who started establishing clubs and holding tournaments within the country.

With the growth of Indian cricketers, the first Indian professional cricketers began to participate in the British domestic competitions which paved the way for a national team. The creation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 1929 was an essential moment that helped establish a formal structure for Indian cricket.

India’s Entry into International Cricket

The first test match between India and England took place at Lord’s on June 25, 1932. The India test squad played under the Command of CK Nayudu, and this match was a noteworthy achievement for India, as the India test squad were the sixth to enter cricket at the Test level. This brought great pride to the nation, even though the Indian test squad ended up losing by a margin of 158 runs.

At first, Indian cricket experienced initial struggles, but their effort served to strengthen them in the years to come. The very creation of their national team represented the turning point for Indian cricket. The BCCI’s efforts to promote cricket at various levels led to increased participation and talent development. Still, it took 20 years before India actually won its first test against England on home soil during 1952.

First Historic Moments on the International Stage

India’s journey on the international stage saw several historic moments that defined its cricketing legacy. One of them was the 1975 Cricketing World Cup which India took part in, though they were unable to make any major accomplishment. Still, it laid a solid foundation for what to expect on the world stage in the years to come.

In the 1970s and 1980s, new players, such as Sunil Dev, turned into iconic figures during the matches and tournaments. Gavaskar became the first player to score over 10,000 Test runs, while Kapil Dev’s all-round abilities made him one of India’s greatest cricketers.

Notable Players and Captains in Early Indian Cricket

A number of players have occupied highly essential roles in the course of these formative years:

• CK Nayudu: The first captain who led the first Indian test squad into Test cricket.
• Lala Amarnath: Renowned for his solid leadership and amazing batting.
• Sunil Gavaskar: An iconic batter whose extraordinary gameplay set many records.

These players not only succeeded in their cricketing careers, but also set a strong precedent for many who were to follow them in the years to come. We will now discuss the most notable cricket teams in the history of India below.

The 1983 World Cup-Winning Team

1983 is noted as one of the greatest years in Indian cricket owing to this World Cup. The then team captain, Kapil Dev, led Team India to its first global win ever, to everyone’s amazement.

India’s progress toward the finals was a daunting task. Initially considered underdogs, they had to face greats like West Indies and England. Amazingly, they were able to score wins against some of the world’s strongest teams, which helped them gain momentum. During their group stage they scored a historic win against the West Indies in which they clinched 266 runs. These victories bolstered the Indian side’s confidence, and helped them go on and win more games.

The team was a balanced blend of seasoned stalwarts and fiery youngsters. Kapil Dev’s legendary all-round performances, including the unforgettable 175* against Zimbabwe, lifted the spirits of a nation. Major contributions by seasoned players like Mohinder Amarnath and fiery offensive techniques like those possessed by Srikkanth, ensured a seamless performance during the tournament.

The final against the West Indies was an intense contest. India’s score of 183 did not seem impressive, but brilliant bowling and the 1983 world cup captain’s catch to dismiss Viv Richards won the match for India. Mohinder Amarnath was the architect and focal contributor in achieving the historic triumph.

India kicked off the final match with the first bat against the same team that had won two World Cups consecutively, scoring a “modest” 183. But the Indian bowling led by Amarnath and Sandhu bowled with heart and with precision. The climax moment of the match was definitely Kapil Dev’s catch to dismiss Viv Richards. In a remarkable victory, India was able to bowl out the West Indies with just 140 runs.

Amarnath’s crucial wickets and runs played a great role in winning the match, earning him the Man of the Match award. This victory transformed Indian cricket forever, igniting passion among fans and inspiring future generations of cricketers. The win also marked a shift in how cricket was perceived in India; no longer just a pastime, but a serious sport with immense potential.

The 2007 ICC T20 World Cup Team

Fast forward to 2007; India entered another era of dominance by winning the first ever ICC T20 World Cup which was hosted in South Africa.

MS Dhoni was made the captain of a free squad which had the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma. Their strategy for winning was a simple, yet new approach: aggressive batting and innovative gameplay.

This “T20 format” of cricketing was still new to many, but the pace of this format made it popular in no time. It resonated especially with the younger generation and gave the audience a fresh and exciting gameplay compared to the older traditional formats.

India’s Legendary Performances in the Tournament

Unlike the difficult journey they made through the 1983 tournament, India did not have any trouble up the finals as they won matches back to back in the knockouts, beating strong teams like Australia and South Africa. Yuvraj Singh’s 58 runs in just 16 balls against England has since been remembered as one of the great T20 innings, marked by his explosive attacks. 

The final against Pakistan on June 24, 2007, was a match saturated with a tense, high-stakes atmosphere. India was able to prevail by 5 runs and cement their status as a T20 powerhouse.

The 2011 World Cup-Winning Team

Another landmark moment came during the ICC Cricket World Cup held in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in 2011.

With home advantage playing a crucial role, expectations were high for Team India. The squad featured seasoned players alongside young talents ready to make their mark. There were high expectations for Team India as they had the home advantage. The squad had veterans and young players who were raring to go out there and prove themselves.

With MS Dhoni at the helm, the team went in with a solid batting order and competent bowling options as its strategy. Players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, and Zaheer Khan played a huge role in India winning several tough matches due to their exceptional skill.

After beating rivals Australia and Pakistan, the team headed to the final match in high spirits. Their semi-final win over Pakistan was a reason for celebration for people from all over the country and every ball or wicket taken was crucial for fans of the game. The final, played at the Mumbai Wankhede Stadium, was a spectacle. MS Dhoni blasted a six over long-on off Nuwan Kulasekara to take India home in victory after almost thirty whole years since their last win.

The Rise of India’s Women’s Cricket Team

While men’s cricket draws all the attention, the case has been different for women over the years.

Key Milestones in Women’s Cricket in India

Through the establishment of women’s teams across different states, a solid foundation was laid that would ultimately showcase untapped talent to the world.

Early Progress and Struggles

Year after year, women’s cricket in India remained deprived of the necessary support it needed to  develop and thrive. However, pioneers like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami worked relentlessly, delivering performances that slowly but surely brought women’s cricket to the limelight. What is very satisfying is that these women have earned the respect of the global stage, and inspired others to take up cricket. As a result, many driven youngsters look up to them today.

The past years have witnessed remarkable progress and improvement, moving Indian female players from mere participation to India competing in World Cups and achieving results that rival those of their male counterparts.

The 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Run

Quite literally a game changer, the 2017 Women’s World Cup was both entertaining and inspiring for fans across the globe, especially in India. Supported by millions, the women’s team made headway in England & advanced deep into the tournament further multiplying India’s teeming passion & love for cricket.

One of the most exhilarating moments of the tournament remains Harmanpreet Kaur’s extraordinary 171* against Australia. By securing the second position, the team in fact raised the much-needed interest and investment that would take women’s cricket to the next level.

It was at this point that women’s cricket started to gain traction, attracting a considerable amount of interest from sponsors & the media, which eventually led to the initiation of plans to develop female players in the country. Fast forward to today, Indian women represent their national teams, and young girls aspire to be a part of it thanks to the relentless efforts extended towards women’s cricket development by the BCCI.

India’s Under-19 Cricket Team and Future Stars

The Under-19 cricket squad is often regarded as the cradle of the future prospects of the nation. To the joy of the nation, this modern day “t20 India squad” has consistently demonstrated their exceptional talent and skill, which translated into great successes at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Successes in Under-19 World Cups

The Under-19 team India squad is among the few that holds the record of multiple victories in World Cup finals, actually winning this championship five times: in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022. Each victory has brought glory to the nation of India and proven the wealth of talent available in Indian cricket. 

In the past, the players of India’s Under-19 squad have been drawn completely from players who had shone at the domestic level. This combination of experience and budding talents has proved to be effective in the international tournaments. Remarkable achievements include reaching the finals twice in 1988 and 1998 before lifting the first title, which demonstrated resilience and commitment towards the highest global standards.

Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant all started their journey in the Under-19 structure. Ashwin Kohli led his team to victory in the 2008 World Cup, and demonstrated that early success could lead to stardom later in life. Also, these young players attribute their junior level training for helping them cope with the pressures of the game at the highest level.

Iconic Matches and Future Implications

The Under 19 t20 India squad has played many iconic matches that have showcased their outstanding level of teamwork and strategy. One such occasion was the final against Australia in 2012 when India won the game by a very close margin. Such matches are of importance in the development process for aspiring young players, as it instills the confidence and resilience that young players need to succeed in the long run.

The Indian Under-19 cricket team’s success plays a core role in shaping the future of the Ind t20 squad. By involving young talent in multiple performances in world cup tournaments, the t20 Ind squad is continually supplied with skilled players ready to step into senior roles. 

The Legacy and Influence of Indian Cricket Captains

Leadership has always been at the heart of India’s cricketing success. Let’s explore the transformative impact of legendary captains.

Kapil Dev

Kapil’s fearless leadership in 1983 instilled self-belief and marked the beginning of India’s cricketing ascent. His all-round contributions set the gold standard for Indian cricket.

Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly served Indian cricket as captain from 2000-2005. His tenure was known for fearless and passionate cricket, and shaped his team of young cricketers into one that could win across the globe, which instilled confidence in young players. 

MS Dhoni

Dhoni’s leadership combined a calm, strategic thinking with a contrasting competitive fierceness. He was well known for his high tactical acumen which persevered even in the high-pressure moments during games. This amazing game sense has been attributed to India’s golden period which includes the country’s 2000 T20 and 2011 World Cup victories.

Virat Kohli

India under Kohli’s captaincy was able to become one capable of winning even overseas series featuring unfamiliar conditions.

Conclusion

Cricket in India goes beyond the concept of games in general. From Kapil Dev through MS Dhoni all the way to the rise and triumph of women’s cricket, the sport has been an abundant source of joy and pride to the nation. Even now, the journey of Indian cricket that began so many years ago still leaves fans anticipating the legendary stories that will yet unfold in the coming years.