When was the last time this Indian team surprised (in a good way) or exceeded expectations?

[Clarke]

The last time was just months back, Asia cup. We didn't have the best batsman in the world, middle order was poor as usual these days & we saw return of Jadeja as well. Didn't OP create a thread asking whether we'd win if Kohli the captain was around 

[Straight Drive]

1983 WC.  

 

First surprise was the match versus Zimbos..... Didn't think we would win after 17/5.  But Kapil Dev scored 175 and then took a wicket to win match for us from a terrible position.  The catch he took to dismiss Viv was breath taking.  Kapil easily was the best Indian fielder of those times.  Madan lal and Mohinder Amarnath bowled well too in the finals.

 

Never thought we would win against the lineup of Grenidge,Haynes,Viv,Lloyd,Gomes,Dujon,Bacchus,Roberts,Marshall,Holding and Garner.It was the toughest final India ever played and we won it by a good margin of 40 odd runs even while defending 183.

 

To me 1983 was a pleasant surprise.

[putrevus]

14 minutes ago, Straight Drive said:

1983 WC.  

 

First surprise was the match versus Zimbos..... Didn't think we would win after 17/5.  But Kapil Dev scored 175 and then took a wicket to win match for us from a terrible position.  The catch he took to dismiss Viv was breath taking.  Kapil easily was the best Indian fielder of those times.  Madan lal and Mohinder Amarnath bowled well too in the finals.

 

Never thought we would win against the lineup of Grenidge,Haynes,Viv,Lloyd,Gomes,Dujon,Bacchus,Roberts,Marshall,Holding and Garner.It was the toughest final India ever played and we won it by a good margin of 40 odd runs even while defending 183.

 

To me 1983 was a pleasant surprise.

To me 1983 is the biggest and pleasant surprise.India had no business of winning that cup against that 1983 WI team.

[Ankit_sharma03]

CT 2013 

[Trichromatic]

47 minutes ago, Clarke said:

The last time was just months back, Asia cup. We didn't have the best batsman in the world, middle order was poor as usual these days & we saw return of Jadeja as well. Didn't OP create a thread asking whether we'd win if Kohli the captain was around 

Absence of Kohli was main factor in win

[Clarke]

38 minutes ago, Trichromatic said:

Absence of Kohli was main factor in win

Yep, the shrewd chanakya of modern era & the brain behind Carlsen's chess success, Rohit Sharma made the the difference with his IBM Watson backed strategies on the field. Or was it off them ? I don't know 

 

Reminds me, let me bump another one of your bold threads.

 

 

[neel roy]

4 hours ago, Adi BB said:

Nice pick ,the saf tour in 2010 .

After the centurion debacle I was really scared for the Durban test and rest of the series especially after getting bundled 0ut by 205,that was an epic comeback against a very strong saf side 

Actually if you see even in Durban second innings India played well. Dhonis best overseas innings in Sena country 

[neel roy]

3 hours ago, putrevus said:

To me 1983 is the biggest and pleasant surprise.India had no business of winning that cup against that 1983 WI team.

Yess,absolutely and it ll remain number 1 till eternity..hope Kabir Khan makes a good film.. it ll be an intriguing story 

Edited November 30, 2018 by neel roy

[OzGirl]

No wins in SA, Aust, smashed in England the last 2 times, smashed in Aust last two times that's surprising. Not playing more practice games very surprising.

[Vijy]

1 hour ago, OzGirl said:

No wins in SA, Aust, smashed in England the last 2 times, smashed in Aust last two times that's surprising. Not playing more practice games very surprising.

We toured three times in all - 2011, 2014 and 2018. Lost 4-0, 3-1 and 4-1; the 2018 tour was closer than the first two to some degree.