ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

 

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Venue- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo [August 2-6, 1997]. 

In the Monsoon of 1997, Indian Cricket Team toured Sri Lanka to play 2 Tests and 3 ODIs. Sri Lanka were the newly crowned World Champions, whereas India too was a strong side. Hence, everyone expected a strong contest between the two Asian Powerhouses. Indian Captain Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and decided to bat first on what looked like a Batting Paradise. The decision turned out to be a good one as the Indians piled up 537 in their first innings. Captain Tendulkar led from the front as he scored a majestic 143 runs. Apart from him, Navjot Sidhu and Mohammad Azharuddin too scored magnificent 100s as the visitors declared at a formidable total of 537. 

However, in response the Lankans did something which went into the History Books. The Hosts batted for the next 271 overs and scored a huge total of 952/6. Yes, you all read it right. 952 runs in a single innings. The same happened because their charismatic opener Sanath Jayasuriya scored a mammoth 340 of 578 deliveries. In this iconic innings of his, he scored 36 boundaries and 2 sixes. Apart from him Roshan Mahanama too scored a magnificent 225 as Indian Bowlers struggled to take wickets. The Test Match was truly a run fest. 

Eventually the Match ended in a draw, but the score of 952 is till date the highest team total in test match history. 

To watch the Sri Lankan Innings, Click Here. 

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

 

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Venue- Newlands, Cape Town [September 12, 2007].

In 2007, South Africa hosted the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup. Everyone was excited for the same. Afterall no one knew much about the T20 format which was making its way in the international circuit. Interestingly the T20 World Cup got a great start in Johannesburg and now the action shifted to Cape Town wherein the World Champions Australia were facing Zimbabwe in the Group Stage Game. It was expected to be a one-sided affair. However, this is Cricket. Anything can happen anytime. Anyone can beat anyone on their day. And this is what happened on September 12, 2007. Defying all odds, Zimbabwe did the impossible. They defeated the Mighty Australians. How did the same happen? This Blog will tell you the same.

Australian Captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the Aussies were reduced to 19/3 in 4 overs. Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting all were back to the pavilion as Zimbabwe went for a kill. However, Andrew Symonds and Brad Hodge scored a gritty 33 and 35 as Aussies reached a total of 138/9 in their 20 overs. For Zimbabwe, Chigumbura and Brent took 3 and 2 wickets each.

A Target of 139 is considered an easy total today. But it was not that easy back then. Furthermore, the aggressive bowling combined with lethal fielding made 139 even tougher. The Men in Red started off pretty well but lost 3 quick wickets in between. The Zimbabwe Scorecard read 70/4 at the end of 11 overs as they still needed 69 runs to win. The game was on knife-edge. One more wicket and the Aussies would have demolished the remaining batting line-up.

This is when Brendan Taylor and Masakadza stitched a partnership of 53 runs and brought Zimbabwe back into the game. With 6 balls remaining, Zimbabwe needed 12 runs to win with 5 wickets in hand. This was further reduced to 4 from 2 as Taylor faced Bracken. Eventually in the penultimate ball of the game, Taylor scored a boundary and helped Zimbabwe secure a famous win over the Mighty Australians. 

The Impossible Had Happened. The Zimbabweans have climbed the Everest. 

For his remarkable 60* of 45 Balls, Brendan Taylor was awarded the Man of the Match Award. 

Even though Zimbabwe failed to make its way in the Super 8. However, their win over Australia will always be remembered by Cricket Fans. 

To watch the Highlights of that T20 Game, Click Here. 

NEW ZEALAND’S HISTORIC TRIUMPH: OUTPLAYING INDIA ON THEIR HOME TURF

  Author- Sanket Shivansh Srivastava.

New Zealand’s recent Test series win over India will be remembered as one of their finest achievements. A team that wasn’t expected to compete fiercely in subcontinental conditions stunned everyone, not only winning their first Test in India since 1988 but also going on to secure a 3-0 series victory. This victory showcased New Zealand’s tactical brilliance, resilience, and adaptability—qualities that allowed them to dominate India on their home turf.

Latham leads the celebrations in Mumbai after the historic series win. © BCCI

First Test: Breaking a 36-Year Drought in Bengaluru

In the first Test at Bengaluru, New Zealand set the tone with a remarkable performance. The match began with favorable conditions for seamers, and NZ took full advantage, dismantling India’s top order on the first morning. India was bowled out for a shocking 46, leaving the home crowd in disbelief. The visitors capitalized on this early advantage, scoring a commanding 402 runs in their first innings. Rachin Ravindra’s composed 134 was a defining moment, as he navigated tricky conditions with ease and maturity, setting New Zealand up for a massive lead.

India showed resilience in their second innings, largely thanks to Sarfaraz Khan’s defiant 150 in his maiden Test century and Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 99, which nearly shifted the game’s momentum. Their 177-run partnership offered hope, but the lead they set ultimately wasn’t enough. New Zealand chased down 107 with grit, achieving a historic 8-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Second Test: New Zealand’s Spin Masterclass in Pune

The series moved to Pune, where the Indian team was expected to bounce back on a pitch tailored to suit their spin attack. However, Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner typically known for his limited-overs skills, dominated with a stunning 13-wicket haul. His control, variations, and precision stifled India’s batting, marking one of the best performances by a visiting bowler in India. Santner’s dominance was a proof of New Zealand’s adaptability, as they successfully turned a challenging pitch to their advantage.

India’s batting lineup struggled under Santner’s relentless pressure. Captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged their shortcomings, especially India’s inability to put up a competitive score. Despite having an experienced spin duo in Ashwin and Jadeja, the home team couldn’t prevent New Zealand’s batsmen from establishing a solid foundation and building a defendable total. 

Third Test: Sealing the Series in Mumbai

Heading into the third and final Test at the Wankhede, India faced a daunting task of salvaging pride and avoiding a series sweep. Once again, New Zealand displayed their superiority, with Ajaz Patel emerging as the hero, filling in for the absent Santner. Patel’s spin mastery, combined with contributions from Will Young and Daryl Mitchell with the bat, set up another commanding performance. India’s batting collapses continued, and despite brave innings from young players like Pant and Jaiswal, New Zealand clinched the match and the series with a clean 3-0 sweep.

What this series means for Both Sides

New Zealand’s victory marks a turning point in their Test journey, as they continue to establish themselves as a formidable force in all conditions. Captain Tom Latham praised his team’s ability to adapt, pointing out how different players stepped up at crucial moments. From Matt Henry’s first-day heroics in Bengaluru to Santner’s spin dominance in Pune, New Zealand showed that a team's mentality and well-executed strategies can deliver spectacular results—even in conditions historically dominated by India.

For India, the series loss has exposed vulnerabilities, especially within their batting lineup. The inability to build consistent partnerships and capitalize on favorable conditions in multiple innings has raised questions about India’s transition phase. With senior players nearing the latter stages of their careers, the responsibility to lead now falls on emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant.

Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and stressed the need for a strategic rethink as they head into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. India faces an uphill battle to reach the World Test Championship final, as other teams—such as South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand—remain strong contenders.

Looking Ahead: A Series to Remember

New Zealand’s Test series win over India will be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in recent cricket history. Their remarkable adaptability, technical acumen, and mental resilience are attributes that every team can aspire to emulate. As for India, this defeat is a reminder of the work needed to maintain their reputation as a dominant home team.

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, India will need a flawless performance against Australia to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final. For now, cricket fans around the world can reflect on this unforgettable series, where New Zealand defied all odds and redefined what’s possible for visiting teams in Indian conditions.

THE UNWANTED RECORD

 

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Venue- Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Uttar Pradesh [9-13 September 2024].

In September 2024, New Zealand Cricket Team toured India to play a one-off test against Afghanistan in Noida. Furthermore, the Kiwis were scheduled to play Sri Lanka and India in the coming months. Hence, this match was supposed to be a practice match for what looked like a long test tour for Men in Black. However, no one had any idea that this Test Match will go down into the History Books.

So, the question is what happened in this very test which made it historical? The answer is nothing happened. It turned out to be the first test on the Indian soil wherein the entire test was washed out. The match ended in a draw without a ball being bowled. It is pertinent to note that there was no rain on the third of the play, but the outfield was so wet that no play was possible. Furthermore, the amenities in the ground were such that it caused embarrassment to the BCCI. 

It was well and truly a match which earned an unwanted record. 

A Match which no one would like to remember, especially BCCI. 

SENSATIONAL ROY

 

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Venue- Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne [January 14, 2018].

In the Australian Summer of 2017-18, English Cricket Team toured Australia to defend their Ashes title. However, they were blown away by the Hosts as the Aussies regained the Urn after 4 years. Had it not been Cook's Masterclass in Melbourne, England could have even suffered a whitewash. It was indeed a dismal performance on the part of English. However, after the conclusion of the test series the action now shifted to ODI cricket. England under Morgan did become a reckoning force in the limited overs format. Hence, it was never going to be easy winning in Australia.  Thus we had a contest in hand. 

In the First ODI, England Captain Morgan won the toss and elected to field first on what looked like a batting paradise. Aaron Finch scored a gritty 107 as the Aussies piled up 304 in 50 overs. Apart from Finch, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis scored wonderful 50s. For the Visitors, Liam Plunkett was the leading wicket taker as he picked up 3 wickets. But he too went for a lot of runs as Aussies posted a massive first innings total. To be honest it was not going to be an easy chase for the English. Afterall Aussies had a bowling line-up which won't let Opposition breathe any sigh of relief. 

However, what happened next was something truly unbelievable. England Opener Jason Roy blew the fierce Aussie Bowling Attack. He scored a sensational 180 of just 151 deliveries as the English chased down 305 in the penultimate over.  Be it pace bowler or spinner; Roy smashed them all. He literally scored boundaries in every part of the ground. 16 Boundaries and 5 Sixes to be more precise. The Aussies looked helpless for the first time in the entire summer. Apart from Roy, Root scored gritty 91* as the English won the match by 5 wickets. However, the same could not have happened without Roy's Masterclass. 

It was indeed one of the greatest knocks played in the history of ODI Cricket. 

To watch the knock of Jason Roy, Click Here.

THE MASTERCLASS

 

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Venue- Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka [25-29 May 2007].

In the Summer of 2007, Indian Cricket Team toured Bangladesh to play 3 ODIs and 2 Test Matches. The series was scheduled just after the 2007 World Cup wherein India faced a humiliating defeat against Bangladesh. Hence, revenge was in the air. Everyone expected it to be an exciting contest, and it did turn out to be one. 

Both the teams fought hard wherein eventually the Indians ended up winning the ODI Series 2-0. However, the first test ended in a draw. Hence, the action now shifted to Dhaka which was to host the final test of the series. In this crucial test match, Bangladeshi Captain Habibul Bashar won the toss and elected to field first. And Boy! What happened next was something truly unbelievable. 

The Indian Top-Order just blew away the Bangladeshi Bowling Line-Up. The Men in Blue amassed 610 runs in their first innings. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that after bowling for 153 overs, they were able to pick up just 3 wickets. The Indian Batsmen were well and truly in the form of their lives. Dinesh Karthik, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar scored magnificent hundreds on what looked like a tricky wicket. 

In response the Hosts were bowled out for just 118 in their first innings. Zaheer Khan picked up 5 wickets in the first innings as the Bangladeshi Batsmen looked clueless on their home turf. Indian Captain Rahul Dravid enforced a follow on, and in no time the Bangladeshis were bowled out for 253 in their second innings. Be it pace or spin, every Indian Bowler was doing wonder. To be honest it would have been even worse if Mortaza hadn't scored a half-century. 

Indians won the Second Test by an Innings and 239 runs. Thus, winning the match as well as Series. The Revenge was well and truly complete. 

To watch the Highlights of that Test Match, Click Here.