THE PASSING OF BATON

 

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Venue- Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne [December 26-30, 2014].

In the summer of 2014-15, the Indian Cricket Team toured Australia to play 4 Test Matches. Unfortunately the visitors lost the first two tests, and when the action reached Melbourne, the clouds of whitewash started looming before the Indians once again. However, unlike the 2011-12 tour, visitors this time showed resistance and courage. Even though they lost both the games, they went down fighting. However, if we look closely into the Indian performance, we will find that the performance of the bowlers was quite like it was in the 2011-12 tour. Even the batting didn't make much difference. However, it was the coming of age of Virat Kohli which turned out to be the sole contrast between the results of the two tours. Virat Kohli was determined to fight till the last minute of the game, and that is what made the difference. In Adelaide he was on the cusp of greatness as he single-handedly took India close to an impossible target. Unfortunately, he was caught out at 141, and India lost the game by a small margin. 

Interestingly, the story in Melbourne turned out to be no different. The Indians were on the back foot as the hosts piled up 530 in their first innings. However, this made no difference to Kohli who along with Rahane stitched a massive partnership of 262 and brought the visitors back into the game. Kohli played a majestic knock of 169 and took the attack back on the Australians.  In an innings which lasted for around 380 minutes, he scored 18 boundaries. It was pure class from Virat Kohli, who was soon to become the King of World Cricket. However, it was not only about his batting but also his aggression, which garnered a lot of attention. The fans were absolutely loving it because now we had a cricketer who took on the Aussies in their backyard. Apart from Kohli, Rahane too scored a quickfire 147 of just 171 deliveries as Aussies struggled for wickets. 

Furthermore, Virat Kohli scored a crucial 54 in the second innings of the game as well, as the Indians managed to secure a draw in Melbourne and thus avoided a whitewash.  Rahane too was instrumental in avoiding defeat in MCG as he too scored a gritty 48 of 117 deliveries. 

Interestingly, this game turned out to be the last test match for the great MS Dhoni, who soon announced his retirement from red-ball cricket. The MCG test thus witnessed the passing of the baton from Captain Cool to Captain Courageous. Rahane was appointed the deputy of Kohli in Test Cricket. The Duo went on to script history for Indian Cricket in years to come. 

To watch the innings of Kohli and Rahane, Click Here. 

To watch the last day resistance of Team India, Click Here.  

THE LEGEND OF BAZ

 

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Venue- Hagley Oval, Christchurch [February 20-24, 2016].

Brendon McCullum was a fearless cricketer. The brand of cricket he played was truly a delight to watch. He was indeed Captain Courageous. After all, who can ever forget his heroics in the 2015 World Cup? In every game he attacked from the front and demoralised the opposition bowling attack. Unfortunately, he failed to repeat that in the final, which cost Kiwis big time as they succumbed in the greatest moment. However, it is pertinent to note that he played attacking cricket not only in white-ball games but also in the red-ball arena. 

Interestingly, the most McCullum-like kind of knock came before his home crowd in his final test match. It was February 2016 as Aussies toured their neighbours for 3 ODIs and 2 Tests. The First Test was lost, and thus it was a must-win game for the Kiwis. In a do-or-die situation McCullum played one of the most explosive knocks test cricket has ever seen. He smashed an incredible 145 off just 79 deliveries and took the attack to the Aussie speedsters. Whoever came to bowl was smashed for runs. It was not only about finding gaps, but it was also about power hitting. It was truly a thunderous innings by the most explosive batsman. 

In the process he broke multiple records – fastest test century, most sixes in test cricket. Even though the Kiwis lost the test as well as the series, this match will always be remembered for the heroics of Baz and not for the Aussie victory. After all, Baz played not just to win but also to entertain. 

To watch the innings of Baz, Click Here. 

VOGES GOES MAJESTIC

 

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Venue- Basin Reserve, Wellington [February 12-16, 2016].

In the summer of 2016, the Australian cricket team toured New Zealand to play 3 ODIs and 2 tests. The Kiwis won the ODI Series 2-1, and the action shifted to red ball cricket. Moreover, this series was Captain Baz's last series as a New Zealand cricketer. As a result, there were emotions all around. Australian Captain Steve Smith won the toss and elected to field first on a pitch which looked good for pace bowling. And boy! It turned out to be a wonderful decision. 

Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle came all guns blazing as they demolished the hosts for just 183 in their first innings. Hazlewood picked 4 and Siddle picked 3 as Kiwis struggled to bat for 50 overs. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that no Kiwi batsman managed to get past the 50-run mark, which shows disciplined Aussie bowling.

In response, the Kiwis got off to an incredible start with the ball as they dismissed both the openers cheaply. The Australian scorecard read 5/2 when Captain Smith joined Usman Khawaja in the middle. The game was on a knife-edge. One more wicket and the Kiwis would have sensed a comeback. However, Smudge and Khawaja stitched a partnership of 126 runs and brought the visitors back into the game. Eventually Captain Smith was dismissed for 71 as Voges joined Khawaja in the centre. The game was still very much balanced. However, what followed next was something truly unbelievable. Khawaja and Voges simply broke the spine of the Kiwi bowling line-up as the duo piled up mounds of runs. Khawaja scored a gritty 140 runs. But it was Voges who stole the show. Adam Voges on that day was phenomenal. He batted for around 504 minutes and scored a majestic 239. In an innings which lasted 364 deliveries, he hit 30 boundaries and 3 sixes. The hosts looked helpless as Voges continued his attack with the bat. Due to his efforts, the Aussies ended up scoring 562 in their first innings. 

It was now almost certain that the Kiwis are out of the game, and this is what happened. The hosts lost by an inning and 52 runs, as they were bowled out for 327 in their second innings. The duo of Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Marsh just blew the Kiwi batting. Though there was some resistance in between, it was not at all sufficient to save the test. 

Adam Voges was awarded the Man of the Match Award as the Aussies took a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series.

To watch the Highlights, Click Here. 

THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER

 

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Venue- Lord's Cricket Ground, London [June 11-14, 2025].

On June 14, 2025, the Proteas scripted history as they clinched their maiden World Test Championship title. For the last 3 decades, the South Africans have played some excellent cricket. However, except for the inaugural Champions Trophy title, they fell short on each and every occasion. Interestingly, they entered every tournament as a favorite but always choked in the knockout stages [QF/SF/F]. 

In 2024 they were on the cusp of winning the T20 World Cup, but they crumbled under pressure, and India thus lifted their second T20 title. As a result, no one gave them a chance in the WTC Final. After all, they were facing a side who enjoyed pressure and had the habit of winning games from any stage. The final was thus seen as a clash between the generational chokers and serial winners. 

Moreover, the way the game went for the first 3 days, it appeared that the Aussies would add one more ICC title to their trophy cabinet. No one believed in the Proteas. A target of 282, clubbed with a lethal Australian bowling and fielding line-up, implied that they were required to chase an above par score. To make matters worse, they lost their first wicket at a score of 9. However, this is when Aiden Markram and Captain Bavuma played the knocks of their lives. Bavuma, despite being injured, scored a gritty 66. On the other hand, Markram played the innings of his life as he scored a magnificent 136 and took the Proteas to their second ICC title.

The stadium erupted with joy when the Proteas hit the winning runs. No one could believe what they saw. The ICC Trophy was finally going to the Rainbow Nation. The pain of Edgbaston (1999) was well and truly buried now. A new era has begun.

To watch the Highlights of the Final, Click Here. 

THE UNSELFISH CAPTAIN

 

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Venue- Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune [October 10-13, 2019].

In the autumn of 2019, the South African cricket team toured India to play 3 T20 Internationals and 3 Test Matches. The T20 Series ended 1-1, whereas the hosts hammered the visitors in the first test at Vishakhapatnam. As a result, it was a do-or-die game for the Proteas. In a must-win game it was the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, who won the toss and decided to bat first. 

The Indians lost Rohit Sharma cheaply; however, the duo of Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara brought us back into the game. Mayank Aggarwal scored a gritty 108, whereas Pujara managed to score 58 runs. However, the man who stole the show was our captain. King Kohli, who was at the peak of his powers, amassed a massive 254* and broke the spine of the South African bowling attack. First, he stitched a partnership with Rahane, which was then followed by Jadeja. Moreover, it was not just about boundaries and sixes but also about quick running between the wickets. The Proteas looked helpless as the Indians continued piling up runs. It was peak test match batting. 

Eventually the hosts declared a massive total of 601/5. However, the thing which grabbed the headlines was the unselfishness of Captain Courageous Virat Kohli. Kohli at that time was batting on 254* and was very much in range to get a triple hundred. However, he chose the team over his milestones and decided to declare. 

The decision to declare at that point turned out to be a masterstroke, as quick wickets before the stumps broke the morale of the Proteas, who then failed to recover from the loss and ended up losing the game by an innings and 137 runs.

Captain Kohli was awarded the Man of the Match award as Indians won another test series at home. However, this game will always be remembered for the unselfish act of our great captain. The man who gave everything to test cricket and for whom the team mattered more than the personal milestones. 

To watch that monumental innings of Virat Kohli, Click Here. 

ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

 

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Venue- Rose Bowl, Southampton [August 21-25, 2020]. 

In the summer of 2020, the Pakistani Cricket Team toured England to play 3 Test Matches and 3 T20 Internationals. Due to the Covid pandemic, the match was played behind closed doors. The hosts won the first test at Manchester, whereas the second test match ended in a draw. As a result, it was a must-win game for the Pakistanis, whereas a draw would have ensured a series win for the English. 

In a do-or-die contest, it was the English captain who won the toss and decided to bat first. Unfortunately, the visitors struck back hard as they reduced the hosts to 127/4. One more wicket and the English could be bundled out in no time. But this is when Jos Buttler and Zak Crawly stitched a magnificent partnership of 359 runs and took England to a respectable position. Zak Crawley played his career-best knock of 267 as he made a mess of the Pakistani bowling line-up. Apart from Jos Buttler, who scored a magnificent 152, the hosts declared at a massive total of 583/8. It was indeed a historic partnership.

In response the Pakistanis were bowled out for just 273 runs in their first innings as James Anderson ran riot among the visitors. James Anderson produced a magnificent spell of 56-5 as he inched closer to the 600-wicket mark. The English enforced a follow-on; however, the match ended in a draw as the rains played a spoiler in between. However, despite the rain delay, Anderson was able to get past the 600 wickets milestone.

The English won the series 1-0 as both Crawley and Anderson etched their names in the record books. 

To watch the innings of Zak Crawley, Click Here.

To watch the 5-fer of James Anderson, Click Here.

To watch the moment when James Anderson picked up his 600th wicket, Click Here. 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN KOLKATA

 

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Venue- Eden Gardens, Kolkata [November 22-26, 2019]. 

 

In the winter of 2019, the Bangladeshi cricket team toured India to play 3 T20 Internationals and 2 Test Matches. The hosts won the T20 Series 2-1 and were leading the Test Series 1-0 before reaching Kolkata for the final test. Interestingly, this Test Match turned out to become a historic one due to multiple reasons. Firstly, it was the first pink ball test being played in India. Secondly, Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, and Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, struck the ceremonial bell to start the game. Lastly, this was the last time we saw Prime Virat Kohli. Because after this match, everything went down the slope. 

In a must-win game, Bangladeshi Captain Mominul Haque won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision turned out to be a horrendous one, as the Visitors were bowled out for just 106 runs in their first innings. The trio of Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Shami blew the entire Bangladeshi batting lineup away in just 30.3 overs.

However, in response the Indians too got off to a shaky start as they were reduced to 43/2 in 12.5 overs. This is when Captain Kohli joined Pujara in the middle. The game was on a knife edge, as one more wicket at this stage would have opened the game wide open. But this is when King Kohli played one of his finest test knocks. Kohli scored a magnificent 136 off 194 deliveries and took the attack to the opposition. Apart from Kohli, Rahane and Pujara scored gritty half-centuries as Indians declared at a score of 347/9. However, it was Virat Kohli's century that stole the attention of everybody. It was indeed a classy knock from a classy player. After all, it was not about power hitting but was about proper timing and finding the gaps like never before. Moreover, the serenity of the ground made it even more beautiful. It was truly a masterclass.  

It was almost certain that India would win this match, and the Indian pace attack made sure that the game ended in quick time. The Visitors were bundled out for just 195 runs in their second innings as the Hosts won the game by an innings and 46 runs. Ishant Sharma was awarded the man of the match as well as the series award as Indians won the Test Series 2-0. Moreover, this was the first time when all 20 wickets were picked up by pacers in India. Indeed, a Historic Moment. The vision of Captain Kohli has finally rendered the results. At a time when he was appointed the Test Captain, he wanted to create an army of fast bowlers who would win him matches. Finally, that moment had come. 

Unfortunately, post this, everything went downhill for the Indian captain. Kohli, who scored his 27th test ton in this game, managed to score just 3 more tons in the next 5 years, as his batting average went down from 55 to 46.90 till the time he announced his retirement in May 2025. However, 2015-19 was the period that no Indian Test fan would ever forget. It was a delight to watch the Indian team play test matches. Thank you, Virat Kohli, for everything.

To watch the innings of Virat Kohli, Click Here.