Cricket is at its best when a match goes down to the wire—where every ball, every run, and every wicket makes your heart race. India has been part of some of the most thrilling, nerve-wracking, and unforgettable matches in cricket history, where the outcome was decided in the final over, the last ball, or even a super over!
From Dhoni’s legendary six in 2011, to Joginder Sharma’s last-over heroics in 2007, to nail-biting super overs in the IPL, these matches have kept fans on the edge of their seats. Some ended in glorious victories, while others left us heartbroken, but all of them were pure adrenaline rushes.
If you love cricket matches that push the limits of drama and excitement, here are the top 10 most thrilling Indian cricket matches of all time, featuring last-over finishes, super overs, and high-scoring thrillers!
1. 2007 T20 World Cup Final – India vs Pakistan (Last-Over Thriller)
- Date: September 24, 2007
- Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa
- India vs. Pakistan. A T20 World Cup final. Last over. 6 runs needed.
MS Dhoni took a gamble, giving Joginder Sharma the final over instead of the experienced Harbhajan Singh. With just one wicket left, Misbah-ul-Haq went for the scoop shot but mistimed it—Sreesanth took the catch at short fine leg. India won by 5 runs, sealing their first-ever T20 World Cup title in the most dramatic way possible!
2. 2016 T20 World Cup Super 10 – India vs Bangladesh (Last-Ball Finish!)
- Date: March 23, 2016
- Venue: Bengaluru, India
A game that went down to the last ball! Bangladesh needed 2 runs off 3 balls with 3 wickets in hand. Then, absolute madness unfolded:
- Hardik Pandya bowls, 3 wickets in 3 balls!
- MS Dhoni’s iconic sprint-runout on the final ball!
India won by 1 run, in one of the most dramatic last-ball finishes in T20 history!
3. 2013 IPL Final – Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings (Last-Over Drama)
- Date: May 26, 2013
- Venue: Kolkata, India
IPL finals don’t get more intense than this! Mumbai Indians posted 148 runs, and Chennai Super Kings lost 4 wickets in the powerplay. Just when CSK looked out, *MS Dhoni unleashed a brutal assault (63 off 45 balls)**, bringing the equation down to 19 off the final over. However, Lasith Malinga’s pinpoint yorkers saved Mumbai, giving them their first-ever IPL title!
4. 2019 IPL Final – Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings (One-Run Thriller!)
- Date: May 12, 2019
- Venue: Hyderabad, India
Mumbai Indians needed 9 runs in the final over, and Lasith Malinga was given the ball.
- 4 runs needed off the final ball!
- Malinga bowls a perfect slower ball to get Shardul Thakur LBW!
- Mumbai wins by 1 run, claiming their 4th IPL title in the most dramatic fashion!
5. 2020 IPL – Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians (Double Super Over!)
- Date: October 18, 2020
- Venue: Dubai, UAE
This match was so thrilling it needed two super overs!
- First Super Over: Scores tied again! Second super over was needed!
- Second Super Over: Chris Gayle smashed a six, and Mayank Agarwal finished it off!
The first-ever double super over in IPL history made this match unforgettable!
6. 2018 Nidahas Trophy Final – India vs Bangladesh (Last-Ball Six!)
- Date: March 18, 2018
- Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Bangladesh posted 166, and India needed 34 off 12 balls. Enter Dinesh Karthik!
- He smashed 29 off 8 balls*, including a last-ball SIX over extra cover to win the match!
- India won the final in the most dramatic way possible!
7. 2011 World Cup Final – India vs Sri Lanka (MS Dhoni’s Iconic Six!)
- Date: April 2, 2011
- Venue: Mumbai, India
The most iconic finish in Indian cricket history!
- Gautam Gambhir’s 97 saved India
- MS Dhoni promoted himself & smashed 91 off 79*
- The helicopter shot SIX to win the World Cup for India!
India lifted their 2nd ODI World Cup in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium!
8. 2019 World Cup – India vs New Zealand (Heartbreak Semi-Final)
- Date: July 9-10, 2019
- Venue: Manchester, England
A rain-affected two-day semi-final, and India needed 240 runs to reach the final.
- India collapsed to 5/3, losing Rohit, Kohli & Rahul early!
- Jadeja (77) and Dhoni (50) nearly pulled off a miracle!
- Dhoni’s heartbreaking run-out sealed New Zealand’s victory by 18 runs.
A painful match for Indian fans, but one of the most gripping World Cup knockouts ever!
9. 2023 World Cup Semi-Final – India vs New Zealand (High-Scoring Classic)
- Date: November 15, 2023
- Venue: Mumbai, India
A semi-final rematch from 2019, but this time, India dominated!
- Kohli (117) and Iyer (105) powered India to 397 runs
- Shami’s 7/57 destroyed New Zealand
- India won by 70 runs, avenging 2019’s heartbreak!
10. 2002 NatWest Trophy Final – India vs England (Epic Chase & Ganguly’s Shirt-Wave!)
- Date: July 13, 2002
- Venue: Lord’s, England
India was 146/5 while chasing 326. Game over? Not for Yuvraj & Kaif!
- Yuvraj (69) & Kaif (87) scripted a stunning comeback!*
- Kaif hit the winning runs, and Sourav Ganguly removed his shirt at Lord’s balcony!
One of India’s most famous chases ever!
In Summary
These 10 legendary matches showcase the most heart-stopping, thrilling moments in Indian cricket history. Whether it’s MS Dhoni’s iconic six, Joginder Sharma’s final over magic, or a double super over in the IPL, these matches delivered maximum drama and excitement.
We’ve covered games that ended in last-ball sixes, last-over thrillers, and super overs that tested nerves, making them some of the most unforgettable moments for Indian cricket fans.
Which match is your favorite? Do you think we missed one? Let us know in the comments!
