According to me, these are the best 5 innings of Indian cricket.
1 Kapil Dev N 175 India Vs Zimbabwe, 1983, Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells.
2 Ganguly S.C 141* India Vs South Africa 2000, Nairobi Gymkhana Club Ground.
3 Tendulkar S.R 186* India Vs New Zealand, 1999 Lal Bahabur Shastri Stadium, Hyderabad.
4 Ganguly S.C 141 India Vs Pakistan, 2000, Adelaide Oval.
5 Ganguly S.C 183 India Vs Sri Lanka, 1999, County Ground, Taunton*.
1.Kapil Dev’s 175 not out against Zimbabwe in World Cup 1983.
For many cricket followers this is the best innings ever played on the cricket field. Unfortunately few spectators on a sleep, but on quaint Kent ground watched this. No recording of this is available . India played Zimbabwe in a nearly do-or-die match. Batting first, India had possibly their worst start ever in ODI matches. They were 9 for 4, when Kapil walked in. Soon they slumped to 17 for 5. Kapil played one of the greatest counter attacking innings ever. 3 invaluable partnerships, with Binny, Madan Lal and Kirmani take India to a match-winning 266 for 8. Kapil remained unbeaten on 175, made at better than run-a-ball.
2.Ganguly’s 141 against South Africa in the ICC 2000 Semi Final.
This was an outstanding innings played by the Indian skipper. A very important match against a strong bowling attack makes this the second best ODI innings played by Indian batsmen. This was also a run-a-ball innings. He had three good partnerships with Tendulkar, Dravid and Yuvraj Singh. The other significant feature of this innings was that Ganguly remained unbeaten at the end of the innings.
3.Tendulkar’s 186 against New Zealand in 1999.
This is Tendulkar’s tour-de-force against an above average New Zealand attack. Even though this was only a bi-lateral series. Tendulkar scored his 186 runs in 151 balls. After losing Ganguly early, Tendulkar participated in a record 331 run stand with Dravid for the second wicket.
4. Ganguly’s 141 against Pakistan in the 1999-00 Carlton & United Series.
Another innings of 141 by Ganguly, against a very high quality Pakistani attack consisting of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhthar, Razzaq, Saqlain and Azhar Mahmud. This innings was almost run-a-ball, requiring only 144 balls. Ganguly had good partnerships with Tendulkar and Dravid.
5.Ganguly’s 183 against Sri Lanka in the World Cup 1999.
This was a huge innings, at a very good rate (Ganguly having taken only 158 balls). Sri Lankan bowling attack was a good one, led by Muralitharan, Vaas and Jayasuriya. Ganguly opened with Ramesh who came to replace Tendulkar (not the right word!!!), lost him early and then added 318 for the second wicket with Dravid.