Indians all around the world will be celebrating their 78th Independence Day on August 15. In these 77 years, India has grown into a global powerhouse , including the world of sports. Indians have adored athletes and their disciplines and helped create the country into a sporting superpower. So, on the 78th Independence Day of India, let us look at major sporting events that took place on August 15.
Major sporting events that took place on Independence Day
England vs India – Men’s Test – 2021
The Indian men’s team scripted a historic victory over England in the second Test of the five-match series over the Independence Day in 2021. The Men in Blue hadn’t won Test match at the iconic Lord’s since 2014 and Virat Kohli’s men took up the challenge to end this streak. The Indian team got off to brilliant start with KL Rahul’s brilliant 129 to help post 364. England came back strongly, scoring 391 runs but the Indian batters retaliated to take a 154-run lead on Day 4, which was on August 15. Then on the final day, the Indian team put forth a brilliant bowling display to bundle out the English at 121 and complete a historic win.
England vs India – Women’s Test – 2014
Playing at Wormsley, the Indian women’s team completed a famous victory over England in 2014. Led by Mithali Raj, the Women in Blue treaded water after the first innings as they took a 22-run lead. England put forth a brilliant batting effort to set a 181-run target. The Indian batting lineup, in the fourth innings, showcased some brilliant resilience with Thirush Kamini and Smriti Mandhana putting a 76-run stand before Raj took control. At the end of Day 3 (August 15), India were cruising and needed 62 runs to win. Then on the final day, the Indian captain and Shikha Pandey took the Women in Blue over the line.
India vs Germany – Olympics gold medal match – 1936
The Dhyan Chand-led Indian team decimated the German team in the gold medal match of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Entering the final after a 10-0 win over the French, the Indians got off to brilliant start with goals from Roop Singh and Carlyle Tapsell before Dhyan Chand scored a blistering hat-trick to give India a 5-1 lead. Then closing out the finale, Sayed Mohammad Jaffar Shah and Ali Iqtidar Shah Dar combined to score the last three goals as India won their third consecutive gold medal.