A TON TO REMEMBER

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai [8 September 2022].

India was facing Afghanistan in the final super 4 game of the 2022 Asia Cup. It was a dead rubber because both the teams had failed to make their place into the finals. However, this was a game of prestige as everyone wanted to leave the Middle East Shores on a high note. KL Rahul was leading the Indian Side in place of Rohit Sharma. However, it did not change their luck in terms of toss as it was the Afghanistan Captain who won the toss and elected to field first. 

The Duo of Kohli and Rahul opened the Indian Innings. Both of them batted sensibly in the powerplay and laid down the foundation for a huge total. The pair of Kohli and Rahul shared an opening partnership of 119 runs. However, Fareed Ahmmad picked up 2 quick wickets and the Indian Scorecard read 125/2 at the end of 13 overs. This is when Rishabh Pant joined Virat Kohli in the middle. It was needed that Pant and Kohli share a partnership, and this is what they exactly did. However, there was a package of surprise when we saw Pant playing the role of a anchor and Kohli going out on an all-round attack. 

It appeared Kohli was determined to bury the ghosts of bad luck and bad form which has haunted him for last 3 years. On that day Kohli looked unstoppable. It is interesting to note that Kohli did not score an international ton in the last 3 years. However, this time when he reached close to a 100, he did not take singles, rather he hit a six and threw the burden off himself. It was a moment which no cricket fan will ever forget. It was happiness all round as Kohli hit his 71st ton. Due to Kohli's quickfire 122 [12 4s and 6 6s] we managed to reach a score of 212/2 in 20 overs. 

A target of 213 was never going to be an easy task for Afghanistan and the lethal bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar made sure that we wrap up this game without any difficulty. Even though this game did not change the course of Asia Cup, but the same will always be remembered for Kohli's ton. 

A WIN FOR THE AGES

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Bay Oval, Tauranga [January 1-5, 2022].

In the Summer of 2022, Bangladesh Cricket Team toured New Zealand to play 2 Test Matches. The First Test of the Series took place in Bay Oval, Tauranga. Due to the absence of Kane Williamson, Tom Latham led the Black Caps in this series. The Kiwis were the reigning WTC Champions and were thus considered as favorites despite missing out their Star Batsman. However, this Bangladeshi Side looked determined to create history. Hence, everyone was expecting a strong contest.

On a bright sunny day, Bangladeshi Captain Mominul Haque won the toss and elected to field first on what looked like a batting paradise. Interestingly the Visitors got a dream start as they dismissed Captain Latham for just 1 run. However, Devon Conway scored a magnificent 122 and helped the Hosts post 328 in their first innings. Apart from Conway, Will Young and Henry Nicholls too scored valuable 50s. 

In response the Bangladeshis scored 458 in their first innings. Captain Mominul Haque led from the front as he scored a gritty 88 of 244 deliveries. Apart from the Skipper, Litton Das too scored a solid 86 as the visitors took a 130 runs lead in their first innings. 

The Hosts were under extreme pressure. They were now required to bat long in order to set a competitive target. for the Visitors However, Ebadot Hossain had some other plans. In a spell of 21 overs, he dismissed 6 Kiwi Batsmen for just 46 runs. He was literally unplayable that day. Apart from Ebadot, Taskin Ahmad too picked up 3 wickets as Kiwis were bundled out for just 169 in their second innings. Except Will Young no other batsman managed to cross the 50 runs mark. 

The Bangladeshis needed just 40 runs to win the game which they chased down comfortably. The small Bangladeshi crowd erupted with joy once the winning runs were scored. Afterall the impossible had happened. They have registered their first test win on the Kiwi soil. 

A DAY TO REMEMBER

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Sabina Park, Kingston [March 17, 2007].

There are many heartwarming underdog tales from the ICC Cricket World Cup. We instantly think of the 1983 Indian fairy tale, Sri Lanka's 1996 triumph, Kenya's 2003 semi-final result, and New Zealand's 2015 runner-up position. Ireland's victory over Pakistan in 2007—a disappointing World Cup edition for many reasons—should also always be on this list, but it is frequently remembered for the wrong reasons. It was the stuff of legends, with Ireland defeating the Asian giants on St. Patrick's Day and with a group of part-timers that included postmen, farmers, and schoolteachers. 

Under cloudy skies, Pakistan was asked to bat first. They did not do well against the moving ball and fell apart on a surface that was ideal for fast bowlers. Irish Seamer Boyd Rankin created a steep, unsettling bounce while causing the ball to jag around. The only batsman from Pakistan to display some tenacity against this outstanding bowling display from Ireland was Kamran Akmal, but his meager high score of 27 left Pakistan plunging to a below-par total. 

Fast bowler Boyd Rankin claimed three wickets as Ireland crushed Pakistan for a pitiful 132. Johnston led from the front, and there was also some amazing catching. Eoin Morgan, the future Captain of England, too made a few excellent catches. Although the surface had an impact, Ireland's outstanding teamwork paid off. With a formidable fast-bowling arsenal and a relentless mentality, Pakistan was not going to give up this match easily. The atmosphere in the Pakistani dressing room was encapsulated by Mohammad Sami's rage when he steamed in with the new ball, as they were resolved to hold Ireland accountable for their humiliation in the first innings.

After losing both Jeremy Bray and the future England captain, Eoin Morgan, within the first six overs, Irish Scorecard read 15-2. When Niall O'Brien came in at number four, he uncorked a string of boundaries before settling in to finish the innings, which helped to relieve some of the strain on Pakistan. Despite losing two partners along the run chase, he persevered in making a valiant 72 despite being interrupted by an unfortunate rain break. Ireland kept believing as long as O'Brien was at the crease. However, Ireland lost three wickets for five runs after his dismissal in the 34th over, which caused panic in the camp. 

However, the second O'Brien, brother Kevin, made sure to complete what the first had begun. Kevin took Ireland home in a spectacular and unforgettable finale after settling in for a very unusual 52-ball 16, which stood in sharp contrast to the vicious 50-ball century that made him famous four years later. It's interesting to note that Ireland's win came 48 hours after they went above and beyond what many had anticipated by playing out a tied match against another another Test Nation Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately the idyllic scenario quickly turned into a nightmare when Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was discovered dead in his hotel room the following morning. Following the outcome, Inzamam-ul-Haq also announced his retirement as captain. Back home in Pakistan, the fans were incensed, which is something India can also identify with.

To watch the Highlights of that ODI, Click Here.  

REFERENCES- 1. On this day in 2007: Ireland stun Pakistan for their maiden World Cup win

2. Ireland-Pakistan Test revives 2007 World Cup memories | Crickit

3. World Cup 2019: Incredible result followed by nightmares as Ireland stunned Pakistan in 2007

THE LEGEND OF HASHIM AMLA

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- The Oval, London [19-23 July 2012].

In the Summer of 2012, South African Cricket Team toured England to play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20 International. The First Test of the Series was scheduled to take place in the historic ground of Oval. England Captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked like a batting paradise. Unfortunately, Morne Morkel dismissed him for a duck in the fourth ball of the first over. The English Scorecard read 0/1 when Trott joined Cook in the middle. An early wicket did push the Hosts on backfoot, but the duo of Cook and Trott batted sensibly and took England out of danger. The pair added 170 runs as the English came out hard on the Proteas attack. Cook led from the front and scored a magnificent 115 as the Hosts posted 385 in their first innings. Apart from Cook, Trott and Prior scored valuable Half-Centuries. Whereas for Proteas Morne Morkel was the leading wicket taker as he picked up 4 crucial wickets. 

The Game was evenly poised when the English came out to bowl. However, Anderson dismissed Petersen for a duck as the Proteas got an early shock. The South African scorecard read 1/1 when Hashim Amla joined Captain Smith in the middle. The Visitors were on a backfoot, and the Hosts were on a kill. As a result, the Proteas needed a partnership to come out of this troubled situation. However, what happened next was something truly unbelievable.  Hashim Amla scored an unbeaten 311 and turned the tables upside down. Apart from Amla, Kallis (182*) and Smith (131) too scored gritty centuries as Proteas declared at a score of 637/2. The trio of Amla, Kallis and Smith literally blew away the English bowling attack. The Hosts looked helpless as the Visitors batted for around 189 overs. It is interesting to note that it was the month of Ramadan and Hashim Amla was on a fast. But, despite being on a fast, Amla batted for around 790 minutes. In an innings comprising of 529 deliveries, he scored 35 boundaries and massacred the English Attack.

The Hosts were 252 runs behind the Visitors Total. So, it was necessary for them that they bat in the remaining overs for ensuring a draw. However, the duo of Steyn and Tahir had some other plans as they bowled English out for just 240 runs in their second innings. Steyn picked up 5 whereas Tahir picked up 3 wickets as Hosts got bundled down. It was truly a magnificent performance by the Proteas Bowling Line-up as they won this test match by an innings and 12 runs.  

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

THE BEST OF LITTLE MASTER

 

Image Credit- The Hindu.

Venue- M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Madras [24-29 December 1983].

In the Winters of 1983, West Indian Cricket Team toured India to play 5 ODIs and 6 Test Matches. The Windies were out for a revenge. On the other hand, Indians were determined to prove that their World Cup Triumph was not a fluke, and they were a world-class team. However, by the time action reached Chennai for the final test the tables completely turned. The Windies had won the ODI Series 5-0 and were leading the Test Series 3-0 at the conclusion of 5th Test. Hence, the Windies got their revenge. The question now was that will Indians get something to cheer about. 

In the final test at Chennai Windies won the toss and elected to bat first. Riding on Jeff Dujon's 62 the Visitors piled up 313 runs in their first innings. In response India was 0/2 when Gavaskar came to face the hattrick ball of Malcolm Marshall. This was the first time in his career when Gavaskar opted to bat at number 4. Unfortunately, he has to face the first over once again. Luckily, he survived the hattrick ball. 

This is when we heard the famous sledge of Viv Richards - "No matter, no matter, no matter, at what number you bat man. The Score is still 0." However, what happened next no one could have ever imagined. Sunil Gavaskar played his career best innings in one of the toughest situations. Gavaskar scored an unbeaten 236 of 425 deliveries. His innings comprised of 23 boundaries, and he batted for 644 minutes.  He literally took the challenge upon himself and blew the punch on his opponents. The trio of Marshall- Holding and Roberts were unable to break his spirit. 

The Indians declared at a score of 451/8 as the match eventually ended in a draw. Even though we did not win a single game in this series, but the knock of the Little Master will be remembered for the ages to come.

THE SAVIOUR

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney [7-11 January 2021].

At the conclusion of the third test in Brisbane, Indian Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from International Cricket. It was an emotional moment for everyone as Ashwin has been a huge servant of the game for more than a decade. Furthermore, he has given innumerable winning performances for his team throughout his cricketing career. So, it will be hard to fill his shoes. However, in this post we will talk about one such performance which did not get us a win, but its value is more than a win. Yes. You got it right. We will be talking about the famous Sydney Test of 2021. 

It was the final day of the third test wherein the Indians needed 309 to win the test and take 2-1 lead in the series. On the other hand, the Aussies needed 8 wickets to win the match. So, the game was evenly balanced. Unfortunately, in the second over of the day, Wade caught Rahane at short leg off Lyon's bowling with our scorecard reading 3/102. The match was surely in a precarious situation. This was when Pant joined Pujara in the middle. The duo stitched a massive partnership of 148 runs and brought the visitors back into the game. However, the Aussies struck back in quick succession and the Indian scorecard was reduced to 272/5. There were 43 overs left in the play with Indians still 135 runs behind the target. Hence, one can say Australia were in the driver's seat. To make matters worse, Ravindra Jadeja got injured. Thus, the pair of Vihari and Ashwin were under extreme pressure. One more wicket and the game would have been done and dusted. 

However, this is when the pair of Ashwin and Vihari stood strong. The Aussies went on an all-round attack, but the duo stood strong like a mountain. They took blows after blows but did not give their wicket. They did have a fright in the 123rd over when Vihari's bat edge was caught by Starc, but Captain Paine dropped the chance. It looked tough for Australia to pick up five wickets and the same appeared for India as well in chasing down 88 runs. At the end of the hard-fought day, Ashwin concluded with 39* (128) and Vihari with 23* (161) as the match ended in a draw. 

It was a draw which is equivalent to a win because this draw kept us alive in the series. However, the same would not have been possible without the monumental effort of Ashwin and Vihari. Today as Ashwin retires from the game, this knock of him remains for me at the top of all his performances. Happy Retirement Ash Anna. You will surely be missed. 

 To watch the Highlights of that Day's Play, Click Here.