A rejuvenated New Zealand side, that’s finally come into some form, takes on India in the third ODI at Mohali on Sunday.
With the series locked at 1-1, there is everything to play for as both teams will want to seize the momentum and take a crucial lead at this juncture.
Here’s a look at the best encounter at this famous venue.
INDIA vs SOUTH AFRICA, 1993
Back in the early 1990s when low-scoring affairs were the order of the day, the PCA stadium in Mohali witnessed one of the most engrossing matches between India and South Africa. Apart from Mohammad Azharuddin, Vinod Kambli and Kapil Dev, all the Indian batsmen scored in single digits.
Kambli played a brilliant knock, scoring 86 off 116 balls, which eventually turned out to be one of the two half-centuries from either side in the match. India could only manage to score 221 as they were bowled out in the final over of the innings.
South Africa were comfortably placed when they crossed the 100-run mark, having lost only two wickets. Hansie Cronje (38) and Jonty Rhodes (56) had by then stitched together a good partnership but there was very little resistance beyond them as wickets fell in a flurry.
Salil Ankola took three wickets and Ajay Jadeja took a couple as the visitors were bowled out for 178, handing India what looked like an improbable victory.
INDIA vs AUSTRALIA, 1996
The Titan Cup encounter between India and Australia at Mohali back in 1996 was a nail-biting contest. It turned out to be a run-fest and despite India posting a huge total on the board, the mighty Aussies almost chased it down, falling just short in the end.
Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Darvid and Mohammad Azharuddin all got half-centuries to take India’s total to 289 for 6 off 50 overs. Azharuddin played a memorable knock, falling just six runs short of a well-deserved century.
The Aussies were steady during their run-chase, inspired by a brilliant 78 from their skipper Mark Taylor and a half-century from Michael Bevan. But Anil Kumble was on song, stifling them and coming away with three wickets.
With Australia needing six runs off the last over, Tendulkar, somewhat surprisingly, brought himself on and Nayan Mongia ran Brad Hogg out to steal a five-run win.
INDIA vs PAKISTAN, 2011
One of the most high profile matches at the PCA stadium in Mohali was the 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan. The build-up to the match was immense as the stakes couldn’t have been higher for both sides.
Virender Sehwag got India off to a flyer, but the Men in Blue lost too many wickets in the middle overs to be left in a spot of bother. Wahab Riaz delivered a memorable spell of fast bowling to take a five-wicket haul as he accounted for both Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh off consecutive balls in the 26th over.
Holding the Indian innings together was the maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who led a charmed life after been dropped multiple times by the Pakistani fielders. India could only manage a modest total of 260 in the end.
Mohammad Hafeez led the onslaught for Pakistan and at 100 for 2 in the 24th over, the match seemed to be going their way. But the Pakistani batsmen collapsed under pressure as Yuvraj Singh’s delivered two important breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was the lone warrior in the end, registering a half-century, but it was not enough as Pakistan were bowled out for 231. India would go on to lift the 2011 World Cup after defeating Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai.
INDIA vs ENGLAND, 2011
Back at the scene of their World Cup semi-final victory, India pulled off another memorable heist against England in October later that year. Batting first, in the third ODI of the series, England posted a big total of 298 for 4 off 50 overs.
Jonathan Trott played a good hand and was unlucky to be dismissed for 98, two runs short of a much deserved century. But Kevin Pieterson (64) and Samit Patel (70) added the finishing touches to take England to what they thought would be a winning total.
India responded strongly, with both their openers Parthiv Patel (38) and Ajinkya Rahane (91) laying the foundation for the run chase with a 79-run opening partnership. Gautam Gambhir’s half-century helped keep up the momentum in the middle overs.
Skipper MS Dhoni (35*) and Ravindra Jadeja (26*) would then finish the chase as India won with five wickets in hand and four balls to spare.
INDIA vs AUSTRALIA, 2013
India and Australia faced off in Mohali in the third match of their series back in 2013. Batting first, Virat Kohli (68) was the only batsman from the Indian top five to make a worthy contribution as the hosts lost wickets in a hurry.
Dhoni came in at number six with his team tottering at 76 for 4 to play an unforgettable innings. He dug in early on, but accelerated once he settled in. The attack surprised the Aussies as he made his way to an unbeaten 139 off 121 balls and took the Indian total to 303 off 50 overs.
The Australians managed to put together a few starts between them but failed to convert them into big innings. At 213 for 6 in the 42nd over, it looked all but over for them until James Faulkner coming in at number eight launched a memorable onslaught.
With 44 needed off the final three overs, it looked like it was curtains for the visitors until Faulkner went ballistic in the 48th over bowled by Ishant Sharma.
He smashed a boundary before having a double sandwiched between four sixes as a hapless Ishant was left helpless. The over yielded 30 runs and Faulkner brought the equation down to just 14 required off the next 12 deliveries, with the Australians romping home with three balls to spare.
Who do you think will win between India and New Zealand?
Have your say by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.
