Team India has been one of the most successful teams in T20i cricket history. The Men in Blue were the inaugural champions of T20 World Cup. Besides, they have won multiple tournaments like the Asia Cup and the Nidahas Trophy in the T20I format.
One of the reasons why the Indian team has been so successful in the shortest format of the game is that they have been home to some of the best finishers in the world. However, even the best teams have an off day in the office sometimes, and things do not end up as planned.
The Indian team has had such days as well. Yesterday, during the first T20I of the five-match series against the West Indies cricket team, the Men in Blue failed to chase 10 runs off the last over bowled by Romario Shepherd. Here’s a list of two instances when the Indian team even failed to chase less than 10 in the last over.
1. Team India could not chase 8 runs in last over against Zimbabwe in 2016
When the Indian team visited Zimbabwe for a T20I series in 2016, they had to chase down eight runs in the last over to win the first T20I. Rookie all-rounder Rishi Dhawan was in the middle along with wicketkeeper batter MS Dhoni.
Unfortunately, it was not the best day for Dhoni and Dhawan. They have done well as finishers, but in that match, Neville Madziva kept his nerve. Despite bowling a wide, he conceded only five runs and picked up the wicket of Axar Patel as Zimbabwe won by two runs.
2. India could not chase 8 runs in the last over against West Indies in 2016
Least runs failed to Score in Last Over to win T20I match
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) August 3, 2023
8 runs v ZIM (2016)
Batters : Dhoni/R Dhawan
8 runs v WI (2016)
Batters : Rahul/Dhoni
10 runs v WI (2023)*
Batters : Kuldeep/Arshdeep#INDvWI
Another instance from the year 2016 is the famous match where both India and West Indies scored more than 240 runs. West Indies set a 246-run target for the Men in Blue. India finished with 244/4, riding on KL Rahul’s century. India needed eight to win in the last over, with Dhoni and KL Rahul being the batters. Dwayne Bravo bowled brilliantly and conceded only six runs.
