What is India's Record in ICC Tournament's Knockout Matches?

India records in ICC knockouts
 

In the two World Cups and the Champions Trophy, India has played 35 knockout matches. In these 35 games, the Men in Blue emerged victorious on 22 occasions. Among the three tournaments, the Indian team has been the most clinical in the knockout matches of the Champions Trophy. They have won eight matches in CT knockouts and lost only thrice. The only no-result they have faced came in the final of the CT in 2002 against Sri Lanka. In the World Test Championship, the Indian team qualified for the finals in 2021 and 2023. However, on both occasions, they were on the losing side. 

ODI World Cup knockouts

India has played 15 knockout games in the ODI World Cup. They have won nine of these games and lost six. The Indian team has won the tournament twice, in 1983 and 2011, under the leadership of Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, respectively. 

They lost their first knockout match in the 1987 World Cup against England. Nine years later, they lost the semi-final against Sri Lanka in Eden Gardens, where the match was brought to a controversial end. In 2003, they lost the final against Ricky Ponting’s Australia. Since then, they have lost a knockout game each in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions.

T20 World Cup knockouts

India has played eight knockout games at the T20 World Cup, having won five of these games. The Men in Blue won the maiden edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 under Dhoni’s captaincy. After a 17-year hiatus, Rohit Sharma led India to another T20 trophy in 2024. 

The Indian team lost its first knockout game in a T20 World Cup in 2014 when they lost the final against Sri Lanka. In 2016, they lost the semifinal against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium. In 2022, under Rohit’s captaincy, India lost the semifinal against England by a 10-wicket margin.

Champions Trophy knockouts

The Indian team has a great record in the knockout matches of the Champions Trophy. They have played 12 matches in the knockout stage and won eight of them. MS Dhoni led them to the trophy in 2013, and they shared the trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002, with rain playing a spoil sport in the final.

They lost their first knockout game in the first edition in 1998. The whole tournament at that time was a knockout. India lost to the West Indies in the semi-final. They lost again in the following edition against New Zealand in the final in 2000. Their third and last loss in a Champions Trophy knockout match came in the final of the previous edition against Pakistan in 2017.

World Test Championship Final

India qualified for the final of the World Test Championship in the first two editions of the tournament. However, they lost both times against New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023. They failed to qualify for the third final of the tournament in 2025.

India records against New Zealand in ICC Knockout Matches

India and New Zealand have faced each other thrice in ICC knockout matches. In these three games, the Blackcaps have come on top twice. They are one of the very few sides to have a positive head-to-head record against India in knockout matches.

Champions Trophy, 2000: 15th October, 2000

India and New Zealand faced each other for the first time in a knockout match in ICC tournaments in 2000. It was the final of the Champions Trophy where the Kiwis managed to trump Sourav Ganguly’s India. 

New Zealand defeated India by four wickets with two balls to spare. Chris Cairns was the star performer in the match. The all-rounder scored an unbeaten century and was named the Player of the Match.

ODI World Cup, 2019: 9th and 10th July, 2019

The ODI World Cup semi-final in 2019 between India and New Zealand was once again a heartbreaking moment for the Men in Blue. Led by Virat Kohli, the Indian team had restricted New Zealand to 239 runs in the first innings but, in the end, were defeated by the Kane Williamson-led side.

New Zealand won the match by 18 runs to progress to the final. Matt Henry was named the Player of the Match for picking up three wickets of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Dinesh Karthik. He could potentially be the match winner if India faces New Zealand in the final.

ODI World Cup, 2023: 15th November, 2023

The Indian team clashed against New Zealand once again in a knockout match of an ICC tournament. However, this time, the Men in Blue had the crowd in the Wankhede Stadium backing them. Rohit Sharma’s India ended the losing streak they had against New Zealand in the ICC knockout matches.

India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs to reach the final. Mohammed Shami recorded the best bowling figures in ODIs by an Indian bowler. The right-arm pacer picked up a seven-wicket haul to seal a victory for his side. He would be leading the Indian pace attack in the Champions Trophy final.

World Test Championship Final, 2021: 18-23 June, 2021

India and New Zealand qualified for the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021. The two sides played with two varying bowling attacks. While India played with two spinners, New Zealand went with a five-seamer attack. 

New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets chasing a target of 139 runs in the fourth innings. Kyle Jamieson was named the Player of the Match for taking seven wickets and scoring 21 runs in the game.

India records against South Africa in ICC Knockout Matches

India would like South Africa to win the semifinal against New Zealand today. The Men in Blue have won on each of the four times that the two sides have met in ICC knockout matches. The Indian team does not have such a great record against any other opponent.

Champions Trophy, 2000: 13th October, 2000

The first time India and South Africa faced each other in an ICC knockout match was in the Champions Trophy in 2000. Sourav Ganguly, leading the Indian team, played a match-winning knock to help his team get to the final.

India defeated South Africa by 95 runs. Ganguly was named the player of the match for his unbeaten knock of 141 runs. In addition to his century, the Indian skipper also picked up the wicket of Mark Boucher in the only over he bowled in the second innings.

Champions Trophy, 2002: 25th September, 2002

For the second time in a row, India and South Africa faced each other in the knockout stage of the Champions Trophy. Once again, it was India who won the clash, thanks to yet another all-round performance from an opener.

India won the match by 10 runs to qualify for the final. Virender Sehwag scored 59 runs in 58 balls in the first innings before picking up three wickets in the third innings to win the match for his team. 

T20 World Cup, 2014: 4th April, 2014

India and South Africa met once again in an ICC knockout match, but this time around, it was in the shortest format. Led by MS Dhoni, the Indian team faced South Africa for the first in a knockout match of a T20 World Cup. 

India defeated South Africa by six wickets courtesy of a special knock from Virat Kohli. The Indian batter played an unbeaten knock of 72 runs in 44 balls. It was a typical Kohli knock consisting of five fours and two sixes but still maintained a strike rate of 163.63.

T20 World Cup, 2024: 29th June, 2024

India and South Africa met each other the last time in the final of the T20 World Cup in 2024. Going into the fixture, India had not won an ICC trophy since 2013. The Proteas, on the other hand, won an ICC trophy 26 years ago. The Indian team came on top thanks to an all-round performance from multiple players.

India won the match by seven runs and took home the T20 World Cup trophy. Kohli was named the player of the match for his knock of 76 runs in the first innings. He was ably supported by Axar Patel in the innings. In the second innings, it was Hardik Pandya, Arhsdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah who were the match winners for India by picking up eight wickets.