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India and Australia have been involved in thrilling ODIs over the years. They share a great cricketing rivalry across formats. Their competitiveness raises the game to a different level. They love to win against each other. In fact, the players from each team take great pride in putting up great performances against each other. So, here is the list of thrilling ODIs the two teams have played against each other.

1)Australia beat India by 1 run in the 1987 World Cup

Team Australia ODI
Australia went on to win the World Cup 1987 (Image Credits: CricketCountry)

India were the defending champions in this tournament, and playing at home. They were favorites to win this match and looked well set to do so when India was in the driver’s seat at 207/2 chasing 271 for a win. But India saw a spectacular collapse, losing their last 8 wickets for 62 runs and being bowled out for 269, and just a run short of leveling the scores. With 2 needed off 2 balls, India lost their last wicket in Maninder Singh, who was bowled by Steve Waugh for 4. 

2) Australia beat India by 1 run in the 1992 World Cup

Team Australia ODI
Australia won the thriller by 1 run (Image Credits: CricketCircle)

Australia heaped another humiliation on India in the 1992 World Cup, winning another World Cup match against the same opponent by just a run. India was set a revised target of 236 runs from 47 overs. After captain Mohammed Azharuddin had laid the platform for an easy chase with a score of 93, Sanjay Manjrekar was doing the finishing act, but the latter got run out in the 45th over. India still had a chance with Kiran More and all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar at the crease. But India lost three wickets in the last over – two via run-outs – to end just short of a run. V Raju was run-out going for the single on the last ball to tie the match.

3) Australia beat India by 3 runs in 2009 

Sachin Tendulkar ODI
Sachin Tendulkar scored a brilliant 175 but was the team fell short by 3 runs (Image Credits: CricketAustralia)

Australia had set a big target of 351, with the first four batsmen striking a fifty each. Shaun Marsh top-scored with 112. India had just Sachin Tendulkar standing tall during the chase. In what was one of the greatest ODI innings, Tendulkar struck a majestic 175 to bring India close to just 19 runs short of a memorable win. But once he departed, the innings fell apart, and India was bowled out for 347 to lose the match by 3 runs. Tendulkar struck 19 fours and 4 sixes on a dual-paced wicket as other Indian batsmen struggled to stay put at the crease.

4) India beat Australia by 2 wickets in the 1996 Titan Cup

India Australia ODI
India edged past Australia by 2 wickets (Image Credits: CricketAddictor)

Australia had set a modest target of 216 in the Bengaluru ODI in the 1996 Titan Cup. And once again, Sachin Tendulkar was the savior for India, striking a majestic 88. As long as Sachin was at the crease, India had hope of a win. But once Sachin departed at 164/8, India stared at defeat. But two local players in Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble rose to the occasion and combined the perfect mix of caution and aggression to stitch an unbeaten stand of 52 runs to take India across the finish line and seal a memorable win. Srinath scored 23-ball 30 not out, and Kumble made 16 not out – the best batting performances by the two players in their careers.

5) India beat Australia in the 1998 Coca-Cola Cup final

India Australia ODI
India went on to win the prestigious Coca- Cola Cup (Image Credits: OutlookIndia)

This was one of the most awaited finals during that time as the title round happened on the birthday - April 24 -  of the God of Cricket or Sachin Tendulkar, who was in the form of his life during this tournament. In the last league match against Australia, Tendulkar has scored a brilliant 143 to take India into the final to face the Aussies again. 

He then scored a brilliant knock of 134 to take India across the finish line, and win the title on his birthday. He treated world-class bowling of Damien Fleming, Michael Kasprowicz, Shane Warne with utter disdain, pulling and cutting with ferocious energy, and looked a player who was in the zone. Aussie captain Steve Waugh later admitted that they lost to one man – Tendulkar. 

Cover Credits: ICC FB page