India's Best ODI Moment in Australia Doesn't Involve the Hosts; in Fact, It Was vs Pakistan

India are all set for an ODI series in Australia against the hosts from October 19. When one looks back at India’s ODI record Down Under, one is tempted to find out their best moment on Australian soil in the 50-over format. So which one is it?

India’s Best ODI Moment Down Under

Many people will point out MS Dhoni’s side winning the tri-series in 2008 by beating Australia in two of the best of three finals. Some shall hail Virat Kohli’s team that won the first-ever bilateral series against Australia in Australia in 2019. But for true cricket fans, that moment goes back as many as four decades! Yes, you read that right and no, we are not joking.

© X/BCCI

The funny thing is that India’s best ODI moment in Australia does not involve Australia at all. The Australian cricket team had no role to play. This is because the match was not against Australia at all. In fact, it was against none other than rivals Pakistan. Unlike now, back then Pakistan were a force to reckon with. But to no more, we have to step back in time, 1985 to be precise.

India Winning the World Championship of Cricket in 1985

March 10, 1985 saw the Melbourne Cricket Ground flooded with India and Pakistan supporters. Both sides had made it to the final. India had already beaten Pakistan in the group stage but a final was something different. Sunil Gavaskar’s men had won every game till then and Javed Miandad’s Men in Green were eager for revenge. It was not to be.

India Outclassing Pakistan in the World Championship of Cricket Final

Miandad won the toss and opted to bat first. India did not let the Pakistani batters settle down. The skipper top-scored with 48 and Kapil Dev was the pick of the bowlers with 3/23 while Laxman Sivaramakrishnan supported him with 3/35. Pakistan managed 176/9 in 50 overs. Then it was India’s turn to chase. Kris Srikkanth’s 67 and Ravi Shastri’s 63 not out saw India home by eight wickets with 17 balls to spare. Less than two years after being crowned ODI World Champions, India had once again conquered the cricketing world.

First India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup Match Was Also Down Under

Shastri was the Champion of Champions for his consistent run in the series. Gavaskar was the proud skipper who held the trophy high as the side celebrated. Fast forward to 2025, this is no doubt India’s best ODI moment Down Under. Australia were also in India’s group and we beat them too. Seven years later, India and Pakistan would meet again Down Under, this time in Sydney, for their first ODI World Cup face-off. But that is another story.