Diwali 2025 celebrates India’s most memorable cricket moments. Relive the iconic matches and legendary performances that added sparkle to the festival of lights for fans across the world. (Image Credit: AI)
Diwali 2025: Diwali, the festival of lights, has been a time of celebration and festivity all over India. It has also come together with some of the greatest moments in Indian cricket in recent years, when players have come up with outstanding performances both on and off the pitch. From edge-of-the-seat victories to awe-inspiring exhibitions of prowess, these encounters have provided a touch of extra spice to the festive season, providing fans with memories that light up as intensely as the Diwali lights themselves.
Diwali has always added a special pizzazz to the Indian cricket team, and it all started with Sunil Gavaskar in the 1983 Delhi Test against the West Indies. Gavaskar struck his 29th Test ton, equalling Don Bradman's record that dated back to 1948. The record not only accentuated Gavaskar's class but also provided Indian cricket fans with a celebratory cause during the festive season, proving that the Men in Blue sparkle best on the day of lights.
The 2005 Jaipur ODI remains etched in every Indian fan’s memory. Chasing Sri Lanka’s imposing 298, India found itself in trouble after Sachin Tendulkar fell cheaply. In a bold move, MS Dhoni was promoted to No. 3, ahead of Rahul Dravid. Dhoni’s response? A thrilling 183* off 145 deliveries, punctuated by 15 fours and 10 mighty sixes, that powered India to a nail-biting win with 23 balls still to spare. Indian cricket lovers witnessed an early festival of lights on the pitch that Diwali.
At Kolkata's Hero Cup Semi-Final, young Sachin Tendulkar demonstrated his multi-talent. With 15 vital runs while batting at No. 6, it was, however, his bowling that won the day. Asked to defend six runs from the last over, Sachin had a performance for the ages, leaving the Proteas two runs short. The match demonstrated that Diwali could produce surprise heroes.
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 53 balls against Pakistan in Melbourne remains one of the greatest T20I knocks ever. Chasing 160, India were 31/4 when Kohli took charge, hitting masterful shots, including his iconic short-arm jab for six, later dubbed the “shot of the century” by the ICC. For Indian fans, Diwali arrived early that year, thanks to Kohli’s masterclass.
India took revenge for a previous one-run loss to Australia at the 1987 World Cup by defeating the second match in Delhi by 56 runs. Sunil Gavaskar, Navjot Sidhu, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Mohammad Azharuddin were in good form with the bat, while Australia was out of luck despite a good start. This festive win created another page in India's Diwali cricket history.
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