THE LEGEND OF SIR GARFIELD SOBERS

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica [February-March, 1958].

In the summer of 1958, Pakistan Cricket Team toured West Indies to play 5 test matches. After the end of 2 tests the hosts were leading the series 1-0 as the action now shifted to one of the most iconic venues of West Indian Cricket- Sabina Park. Pakistani Skipper Abdul Kardar won the toss and decided to bat first. Riding upon the century of Imtiaz Ahmed the visitors ended up scoring 328 in their first innings. 

However what happened next was something truly remarkable. At Sabina Park, Garry Sobers created history by breaking the previous Test record of 364 by Len Hutton. Sobers scored an unbeaten 365 of 614 deliveries. His innings comprised of a whopping 38 boundaries. Furthermore it is interesting to note that this was also his maiden Test century and up until 1994, it remained a Test record. 

It was truly one of the greatest knocks played in the history of the game. For ten hours and fourteen minutes, Sobers batted with Conrad Hunte, who hit 260, adding 446 for the second wicket. Day three ended with the West Indies at 504 for 1. The West Indies eventually declared at the score of 790 for 3, their best total and the fourth-highest in Test history. Not surprisingly, they won by an innings.

RANJI TROPHY RETURNS MUMBAI

 

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Venue- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai [March 2024].

On 14th March 2024 Mumbai ended their 8 years wait as they defeated their state side Vidarbha in the Finals of the Ranji Trophy at Wankhede. It is interesting to note that it was Vidarbha who won the toss and elected to field first. But it was Mumbai who had the last laugh. Be it batting or bowling, the Mumbaikars outplayed their opponents in each and every department. 

The Hosts got a solid start as the openers shared an opening stand of 81 runs. However, the Mumbaikars failed to capitalize on their great start as they were bowled out for just 224 in their first innings. Shardul Thakur was the leading scorer for the Hosts as he scored a quickfire 75 of 69 deliveries and took his team to a fighting total. In response Vidarbha were bowled out for just 105 in their first innings.  The Mumbai Bowling Attack just blew away the Vidarbha Side in this do or die encounter. 

Due to their lethal bowling, Mumbai got an edge in the game, and they made sure that they capitalize it to the fullest. Riding on Musheer Khan's 136 and Iyer's 95 the Hosts piled up a score of 418 in their second innings. The Mumbai Batsmen were on their best at a time when it mattered the most. 

In order to win the title Vidarbha required 538 runs to win the game. It was never going to be easy, and the bowlers of Mumbai made sure there is no upset. Even though Vidarbha fought hard but were eventually bowled out for 368 in their second innings. Akshay Wadkar (102) and Karun Nair (74) tried their best but failed to get their side past the target. 

It was a perfect farewell for Dhawal Kulkarni who was playing the final game of his career. It was indeed a dominant performance on the part of the Hosts as they beat Vidarbha by 169 runs to win their 42nd Ranji Title. 

THE CAPTAIN'S KNOCK

 

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Venue- The Gabba, Brisbane [November 2017].

In the summer of 2017, English Cricket Team toured Australia to defend their Ashes title. Both the teams were in best of form so everyone was expecting an exciting contest between the two powerhouses of the game.  However it is pertinent to note that when a series of this magnitude takes place then everyone wants to start in a great fashion so that they can have the momentum and motivation throughout the series. 

Against this backdrop, Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat first in the first test at Gabba.  The Visitors failed to get a good start as their former captain Cook departed for just 2 runs. However, post this the English made a strong fightback and ended up posting a formidable score of 302 in their first innings. 

In response the Hosts at one stage were struggling at 76/4. However, Captain Smith and Shaun Marsh shared a 100 runs stand as Aussies made a comeback in the game. But, 3 quick wickets again reduced them to 209/7, still 93 runs behind the English total. It appeared that English will deliver the first punch in this highly anticipated Ashes Series. 

However Captain Smith stood strong and made sure that Aussies go past the English first innings score. Smith scored a brilliant 141 of 326 deliveries and brought back his side into the game. Due to his monumental effort the Hosts ended up scoring 328 in their first innings.  The Captain indeed led from the front.

The English were completely bamboozled in their second innings as the Australian Bowling Line-Up blew them away for mere195 runs. The Hosts now required just 170 runs to win the first test and take 1-0 lead in the series. David Warner and debutant Cameron Bancroft  did not disappoint the home supporters as they chased it down comfortably.  

The Hosts were truly up and running with 10 wickets win, but this could not have been possible without the masterclass of Steve Smith.

To watch that knock of Steve Smith, Click Here.  

 

THE MAHI SHOW

 

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Venue- ACA-VDCA Stadium, Vishakhapatnam [April 5, 2005].

On April 5, 2005, Indian Cricket Team were facing their archrivals in an ODI Match at Vishakhapatnam. Indian Skipper Saurav Ganguly won the toss and decided to bat first on what looked like a batting paradise. However, the Hosts lost the wicket of Little Master in just 4th over of the game. The scorecard read 26/1 when a young batsman from Ranchi came into bat at number 3. The situation was a precarious one. One more wicket and the game could have gone anywhere. But what happened next was something truly unbelievable. The promising young lad scored a massive 148 of just 123 deliveries. His innings comprised of 15 boundaries and 4 massive sixes. It is pertinent to note that in his innings he spared no opposition bowler and scored runs against each of them in every part of the ground. Due to his power hitting Indians managed to score 356 in their 50 overs. 

The chase of 357 was never going to be an easy task and eventually Indians ended up winning the game by 58 runs. The win was a special win as in the process they unearthed an exciting young talent who had the potential to rule the world of cricket. 

19 years later that young lad returned back to Vishakhapatnam as a living legend and turned back the clocks to the good old times. Even though he could not win the game for his side, but the crowd were cheering for every shot he played. Afterall Vintage Dhoni was back.  The man who can destroy any bowling attack. 

MAHI MAAR RAHA HAI

To watch the highlights of the 2nd ODI, Click Here.