Indiawill celebrate its 79th independence Day on August 15, 2025 and in these 78 years, the sub-continent nation has achieved some major success in the sporting world. After a long period of Independence,
India holds unprecedented power in the cricketing world while in football, it is still striving to become a notable figure with its talented players. Discussing their achievements in hockey, badminton, and tennis, the country’s teams and players have pulled off some sensational success.
Jwala Gutta, Saina Nehwal, and PV Sindhu have been shuttlers who have shone India’s name in the badminton world while from legend Dhanraj Pillay and Dhyan Chand recorded several feats to their names while in current times, Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh have become major names in the distinguished sport. In tennis, Sania Mirza, Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes played incredibly during their illustrious careers for India. After discussing the country’s phenomenal achievements in sports, SportsTiger is here to discuss how India fared on major sporting events that took place on August 15.
Major cricketing events played by India on August 15
7. England Women vs India Women at County Ground in 2002
In August 2002, India Women and England Women clashed against each other at the County Garden in Taunton. Fielding first after winning the toss, India Women restricted the hosts on 329. Left-arm spinner Neetu David took four wickets while Jhulan Goswami grabbed a three-wicket haul. Replying to the total, India Women posted 467 runs and took 138-run lead. In the end, England succeeded in securing a draw as they didn’t lose their 10 wickets on the final day of the contest.
6. England versus India at The Oval in 1952
India’s first-ever international match on Independence Day came on August 15, 1952 during the England tour. At The Oval, England hosted the Vijay Hazare-led India. England declared their first innings after amassing 326/6 after more than one-and-a-half day’s play. Replying to the huge total, India got bundled out on 98. However, rain interrupted the game and saved India from a highly-probable defeat.
5. Sri Lanka versus India at the Galle International Stadium in 2001
In 2001, Sri Lanka hosted India for a Test from August 14 to 17 and the hosts hammered the visitors by 10 wickets. India batted miserably in both innings which resulted in their humiliating loss. In the first innings, Dilhara Fernando took five wickets to end India’s innings on 187 while Muttiah Muralitharan grabbed a five-wicket haul in the second innings to restrict Sourav Ganguly’s side on 180.
4. England versus India at The Oval in 2014
In 2014, when England and India met at The Oval in the red-ball game that kicked off on August 15, the visitors recorded a humiliating defeat of an innings and 244 runs. In the first innings, India capitulated at a score 148 and replying to the total, England erected 486 runs on the board. In the second innings, MS Dhoni and his men could score only 94 runs in reply to the vast total.
3. Sri Lanka versus India at the Galle International Stadium in 2015
Sri Lanka handed a 63-run loss to Team India in the Test match, played at the Galle International Stadium from August 12 to 15. On 15th August, when the match reached the fourth day, India surrendered on 112 while following a 176-run target. Rangana Herath shone with the ball and picked up seven wickets for Sri Lanka.
2. England Women versus India Women at Sir Paul Getty’s Ground in 2014
India Women took on England Women valiantly in the Test match played at the Sir Paul Getty’s Ground in 2014. Chasing 181 runs, India witnessed the courageous innings of 51 from Smriti Mandhana, who hammered 51 off 108 while skipper Mithali Raj also produced an unbeaten half-century to help her side chase down the target comfortably with six wickets in hand.
1. England versus India at Lord’s in 2021
England and India played against each other in a Test match played at the iconic Lord's from August 12 to 16, 2021. It's the only match that the India men's cricket team has won on its Independence Day. Defending the total of 271 runs under Virat Kohli's captaincy, India contained the English side on 120 and clinched a massive 151-run win. KL Rahul became the Player of the Match (POTM) for his stunning 129-run knock in the first innings.
