The Asia Cup is a premier international cricket tournament, conducted by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), featuring some of the best talent from across the region. Competing nations include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and UAE with Afghanistan joining as the fifth team in recent years. It has been an integral part of the cricket calendar since its inception in 1984.
India’s Participation
India’s first taste of success came early on when they won their maiden Asia Cup title in just the second edition of the tournament in 1985. Since then India has gone on to consolidate its position as one of the most successful teams in the history of the tournament with seven titles under its belt as per stats till 2019.
The First Two Titles: 1984 & 1990-91
After missing out on winning the inaugural edition in 1984, where they made it to finals but lost against their arch-rivals Pakistan, Indian cricket team bounced back stronger by clinically dispatching every opponent that came their way enroute to lift their first title in Sharjah during 1985.
Fast forward five years further, once again without breaking any sweat throughout the contest – Team India defended their holdings regally at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens become two-time Asia cup champions triumphing over Sri Lanka, who were runners up this time round in season 1990-91.
Third Victory – 1995
India bagged its third trophy within four years (1995) when said event had shifted home base venue to Sharjah (UAE). This was indeed a memorable victory for Indians as star cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu topped charts with best individual score while Anil Kumble took maximum wickets by any bowler established themselves comfortably atop leader-board notches yet another feather in enviable Asia cup hall of fame.
A Gap and Then a Hat-Trick: 2008,2010 & 2016
From 1995 to 2004, the team went through an extended dry spell as they did not clinch any victories despite reaching the finals twice. However, comeback is always better than setbacks, so proven year 2008 when Men in Blue under M.S Dhoni’s captainship annexed their fourth Asia Cup title defeating Sri Lanka yet again in Karachi (Pakistan).
Not ready to rest on past laurels alone rather building on it, India replicated such form back-to-back seasons following up even more spectacularly later in Dambulla (Sri Lanka) by taming hosts at their own backyard become five-time champions that much exhilarating summer evening during June, 2010. With these wins the country was once again establishing itself as a force to reckon with amongst Asian cricketing nations.
Nevertheless, crowning glory arrived March 6th ’16 under spirited leadership of accomplished Virat Kohli where Team India triumphed over Bangladesh who were rendered runners-up repealing all naysayer’s doom prophecies en-route becoming six-time Asia Cup undisputed kingpins.
The Seventh Trophy – 2018
Finally marked year was 2018; wherein Dubai amidst desert sands – emerging literally out from fatigue ashes like proverbial phoenix bird crowned glorious victors well deserved for seventh time basking in joyous afterglows bathing awesome UAE twilight city skyline brushing aside spirited Hong Kong & Bangladesh leaving no room whatsoever any doubters lean or mean soon made way atop pinnacle leader-boards beyond refute where belonged!
In conclusion, it must be acknowledged that India has showcased consistent performance across past editions of Asia CUP tournament bagging precious milestone victories along way amidst dramatic nail-biting finishes prevailing adverse game conditions. Rightfully so, a testament to the team’s brilliant run is reflected in how many times India won Asia cup – they lofted prestigious trophy skywards not once or twice but an impressive seven times!
