Fans waited for months for this clash, some even travelled long distances to watch it live, but the ICC World Cup match between India and Pakistan was hardly the kind of contest people had anticipated it to be.
The Men in Blue registered a comfortable 89-run win (D/L method) in the rain-affected match at Old Trafford on 16 June, extending their winning streak against the arch-rivals to 7-0 in World Cup matches.
Here’s a look at the seven players whose performances helped India register those wins and bag the ‘Man of the Match’ award.
1992: Sachin Tendulkar
It all began in 1992 when India and Pakistan had their first face-off in an ICC World Cup match, in Sydney on 4 March. Sachin Tendulkar smashed a 62-ball 54 against a fierce Pakistani bowling line-up.
He also delivered with the ball, returning with figures of 1/37 and the one wicket he claimed was that of the dangerous opener Aamer Sohail who was packed off on 62.
1996: Navjot Singh Sidhu
In the next edition of the ICC World Cup, in 1996, India and Pakistan faced off in the second quarter-final at Bangalore on 9 March. Pakistan were seeking revenge for their previous loss, but Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu had different plans.
He smashed 93 runs off 115 balls and helped India post 287/8 in their 50 overs, which was easily defended by the bowlers. Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad picked three wickets each, and Sidhu was awarded the Player of the Match for his brilliant knock.
1999: Venkatesh Prasad
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Venkatesh Prasad is the only bowler to feature in the list of cricketers who were awarded the Man of the Match in India vs Pakistan ties at the World Cup.
After electing to bat, India had managed to post a meek total of 227/6 in the Super Six match in Manchester on 8 June 1999.
It was now on the bowling unit to win it for India, and Prasad took the responsibility, picking up a five-wicket haul. He finished with figures of 5/27 in 9.3 overs, dismissing Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saleem Malik, Moin Khan and Wasim Akram. Pakistan were bowled out 180 in 45.3 overs and Prasad took home the Player of the Match trophy.
2003: Sachin Tendulkar
In the fourth World Cup tie between the two teams at Centurion on 1 March, Pakistan captain Waqar Younis won the toss and put India into bowl.
Opener Saeed Anwar smashed 101 as Pakistan posted a challenging 273 in their 50 overs. However, Sachin Tendulkar – opening in that match with Virender Sehwag – scored a 75-ball 98 to turn the match in India’s favour.
Rahul Dravid (44*) and Yuvraj Singh (50*) then stitched an unbeaten 99-run stand to help India cross the line with 6 wickets in hand and 26 balls remaining. Sachin’s brilliant knock won him the Player of the Match award for a second time in World Cup ties against Pakistan.
2011: Sachin Tendulkar
The fifth India vs Pakistan encounter at the ICC World Cup was at the 2011 edition when the two teams met on 30 March for the semi-final of the big event.
After Captain MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat, Sachin Tendulkar anchored India’s innings and scored 85 runs off 115 balls – the only Indian batsman to cross the fifty-run mark in the game. Wahab Riaz picked up a fifer to restrict the hosts to 260 in their 50 overs.
The bowling unit then worked in tandem, with all five bowlers picking five wickets each to hand India a 29 run victory.
Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the player of the match for a third time in the history od India-Pak WC encounters.
2015: Virat Kohli
India batted first against Pakistan during the 2015 World Cup match in Adelaide and posted a massive 300-run total, courtesy Virat Kohli’s century.
Virat smashed Pakistani bowlers around the park and was eventually caught by Umar Akmal off a delivery of Sohail Khan for 107 (126 balls) in the 45th over.
During Pakistan’s chase, Shami’s amazing spell of 9-1-35-4 helped India bowl Pakistan out for 224 and seal a 76-run win in this group stage clash.
Virat Kohli was awarded the Player of the Match for his effortless innings.
2019: Rohit Sharma
On 16 June, India played against their arch rivals for seventh time at the World Cup. India and Pakistan were playing at the same venue as 1999, Manchester.
Looking for their first win against the Men in Blue in World Cup ties, Pakistan won the toss and choose to field. India posted 336 in their 50 overs courtesy Rohit Sharma’s tremendous 140 off 113 balls. Pakistan then suffered an 89-run loss in the rain-affected match.
Rohit was awarded Player of the Match for his brilliant knock.
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