5 memorable comeback wins for India in World Cup history

No team ever became champions without having to make a comeback in at least one game. While there are always favourites to win a tournament and skill is a definite requirement to do so, what is even more necessary is the will—a strong mentality that doesn’t give up even when facing defeat.India have won three World Cups, two in the 50 over version and one in the 20 over one, but they didn’t win any of them without having to face the fear of losing it at the brink. Even in the tournaments that they didn’t win, however, they won some games incredibly.Just like Castrol Activ’s Actibonds cling on to the engine and offer protection, these matches saw players stepping up at the right time to help protect the team from defeat.And here are 5 such times India came back from the brink of defeat - 

#1 India vs Pakistan group stage 2007

This is the mother of all comebacks by India in a World Cup. By far the most exhilarating encounter these two teams played against each other—and the closest Pakistan ever got to beating their nemesis.  

At the end of the day, it was perhaps the mental attitude of being immovable against Pakistan that made India win this game. The target to defend was a mere 142 after India struggled to post a total of 141.

So close, yet so far. At one point, Misbah-ul-Haq made it look like Pakistan would cruise towards the win. Indeed, Pakistan reached the line, but just couldn’t cross it and the game ended in a tie. India didn’t lose a game in which they were on the backfoot for the majority of the time.

In the bowl out, Pakistan missed the stumps on all three occasions and India hit them on all three, giving India the win.