KING KOHLI SPECIAL

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Holkar Stadium, Indore [October 8-12, 2016].

In the autumn of 2016, the New Zealand cricket team toured India to play 3 tests and 5 ODIs. Interestingly, the hosts won the first two tests comfortably, and the action now shifted to Indore for the final showdown. The clouds of whitewash were looming over the Kiwis, whereas for the Indians, a win in the third test would have made them the number one test side. 

Indian Captain Virat Kohli once again won the toss and elected to bat first. The pitch looked like a batting paradise, and therefore batting first was an obvious choice. However, it was the Kiwis who got off to a decent start as they reduced India to 100/3 at the end of 36 overs. The match was literally on a knife-edge when Rahane joined Virat in the middle. To be honest, one more wicket and the visitors would have gotten hold of the game. But this was when both the captain and the vice-captain showed their class as they stitched together a massive partnership of 365 runs. The duo batted sensibly and took pressure off the game. 

Captain Kohli scored a monumental 211 of 366 deliveries, whereas Rahane missed his well-deserved double hundred by 12 runs. The duo literally blew away the Kiwi bowling line-up as they scored in every part of the ground. The innings of both the captain and vice-captain were pure class as the hosts declared a massive total of 557/5.

In response, the Kiwis were bowled out for 299 as Ashwin picked up 6 wickets in the first innings. The hosts thus got a massive 258-run lead, and everyone was now expecting a follow-on. Surprisingly, the Indians came out to bat, which just added to the miseries of NZL. The hosts in their second innings batted quickly and declared at a total of 216/3. Cheteshwar Pujara scored a magnificent 101*, as the Kiwis now needed 475 runs to win the test. 

It was not going to be an easy task, and the spin web of Ashwin made it impossible for the Visitors. The Kiwis were bowled out for just 153 runs as the hosts won the game by a massive 321 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin was the star performer as he picked up 7 wickets in the second innings and 13 in the match. The whitewash was well and truly complete. Furthermore, Indians also became the number one test side, which just made everything feel so wonderful. 

To watch that Kohli Masterclass, Click Here. 

THE RECORD BREAKER

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda [16-21 April 1993].

In the summer of 1993, the English cricket team toured the West Indies to play 5 tests and 5 ODIs. Everyone was expecting a fierce contest between the two great cricketing nations. However, the series was done and dusted by the third test itself, and the remaining two test games were simply a dead rubber. The Visitors, however, did win back some of their lost prestige as they defeated the Hosts in the 4th Test at Barbados. As a result, the crowd appeared in huge numbers for the final test. However, what happened next was something that garnered the attention of the entire cricketing world. 

After Captain Walsh won the toss and elected to bat first, the two new openers were dismissed in no time as pacers Caddick and Fraser took wickets in their opening spells, leaving the home team at 12/2 and forcing Lara to the crease early in the morning. He was still there at the end of play, with 164 not out, having added 179 with Jimmy Adams (59), and he was already controlling his partnership with Keith Arthurton (47). With his second century in just 131 balls, Lara sent the ball to every corner of the pitch as these two combined 187 for the fourth wicket. As Lara advanced to 320, Chanderpaul (75*) joined him for the last session of the second day. 

However, it was the opening session of the third day that no cricket fan will ever forget. The sound of Lara's hook shot off fast bowler Chris Lewis will live on in the memories of all West Indies supporters. The left-handed batsman reached 369, surpassing Sobers' record of 365, which had stood since 1958. As scores of supporters encircled his teammate Shivnarine Chanderpaul as he stormed the field, Lara barely had time to give him a hug before he shattered the record. In order to shield Lara from the boisterous supporters, the Antigua police also ran onto the field. The fact that Sobers was on the ground to witness the moment added to its specialness. Sobers was waiting at the boundary when Lara was about to break the record, and the police led him onto the field to congratulate him. Sobers gave Lara, who was now well-known in the world of cricket, a hug while the spectators were still on the field. Lara's 375, which featured 45 fours and came off 538 deliveries, was only his third century in Test cricket at the time. He reached the milestone with the assistance of a few capable teammates, including Chanderpaul, Keith Arthurton, and Jimmy Adams, who all contributed significant innings. 

The Windies eventually declared at a massive total of 593/5 as the English bowlers toiled hard for around 180 overs. Fortunately, the English batsmen did not submit easily, as they showed resilience and determination. Both Stewart and Ramprakash got off to a good start but were dismissed soon by Kenny Benjamin. However, for the next seven hours, the duo of Atherton and Smith added 303 for the third wicket, giving the English supporters a partnership of their own to celebrate. The visitors, however, soon went from 372/2 to 417/6 after Smith (175) was dismissed. However, Atherton continued his fight with the bat and was ultimately removed after nine hours for a determined 135. Eventually England tied the West Indies total with a century partnership from Russell (62) and Lewis (75*) as the first innings concluded on the final day of the match.

Eventually both the captains decided to call it a day, and the match ended in a draw. The Windies won the series 3-1, but the English had something to cheer about. However, even though people might not remember each and every game of this series, but, even after three decades, this match is often talked about among the fans because of just one cricketer, and he is Brian Charles Lara.

To relive that Historic Moment, Click Here. 

 

THE RUN CHASE

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Antigua Recreation Ground, Antigua [9-13 May 2003].

In the summer of 2003, the Australian cricket team toured the West Indies to play 4 tests and 7 One Day Internationals. The Aussies were in red-hot form as they defended their World Cup title a month ago. However, the Windies were equally strong in their home. So, everyone expected a strong contest between the two great cricketing nations. Unfortunately, the same did not happen, as the Visitors trampled upon the Hosts. At the conclusion of the third test, the Aussies were 3-0 up in the series, and the clouds of whitewash were looming before the Windies. The final test was thus a battle of prestige for the Hosts. 

Australian Captain Steve Waugh won the toss in the final test and decided to bat first. Unfortunately, no Aussie batter was able to cross the 50-run mark as the visitors scored a below-par score of 240 in their first innings. Jermaine Lawson stood strong for the Windies as he picked up 7 wickets in the first innings. However, the Aussies made a strong comeback with the ball and dismissed the Windies for 240 in their first innings. Hence, the match was on a knife edge now, and it would be the second innings that would decide the course of the game. 

The Aussie openers came out strong in the second innings as they stitched together an opening partnership of 242 runs. Matthew Hayden scored a mammoth 177 of 260 deliveries as the visitors posted a total of massive total of 417 in their second innings. Apart from Hayden, Langer too scored a gritty 111 as the hosts got hammered in all parts of the ground. The Windies now needed 418 runs to win and avoid a shameful whitewash at home. 

It wasn't going to be an easy task. Furthermore, the Aussies picked up 3 quick wickets and reduced the Windies to 74/3. However, Captain Lara (60), Ramnaresh Sarwan (105), and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104) played significant knocks in this pressure situation and brought the hosts back into the game. However, the trio could not bat till the end, and when Chanderpaul was dismissed, the West Indian scorecard read 372/7, 46 runs still short of the target. To make matters worse, no specialist batsman was present in the middle, which meant three good deliveries and the game would have ended in another Aussie victory.

However, this is when Omari Banks and Vasbert Drakes came into action. The duo stitched an unbeaten partnership of 46 runs and snatched the victory from the jaws of the Aussies. The stadium erupted with joy when the winning run was hit. After all, it was one of the greatest run chases in the history of test cricket. It was truly a remarkable finish to one of the great tests ever played in the Caribbean. 

To watch that Historic Run Chase, Click Here.

THE ART OF DEFENCE

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney [January 2-6, 2008].

Since the arrival of T20 cricket, we have observed that the batsmen at large have forgotten the art of defending the ball. They try to score runs on each and every delivery. This intent-based batting might work in white-ball cricket or on the flat decks. But the moment the ball starts swinging and spinning, it will become impossible to survive in between; forget about scoring runs. In such a situation, only those will survive and conquer who know the art of defending the balls. 

If you will ask me about one such knock wherein I felt that the batsmen showed that defense is the best form of attack, it has to be Dravid's 53-run knock in the SCG. It is because there was a phase in his innings wherein he played 40 consecutive dot balls. However, at no stage did it appear that he was struggling. To be honest, he defended each and every delivery with so much style and elegance that the crowd cheered him loudly. Yes, he did not score a hundred that day. But the way he batted for 160 deliveries showed us what test cricket and defense are all about. You may not have the best of days every day, but the struggle to keep moving forward is what defines you as an individual. 

In the summer of 2025, the Indian cricket team will be touring England to play 5 test matches. I hope they will follow the footsteps of Rahul Dravid, and we will scale the English once again. 

To watch the defence of Rahul Dravid, Click Here. 

THE WALL

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- The Oval, London [September 5-9, 2002].

 In the summer of 2002, the Indian cricket team toured England to play a triangular ODI series with England and Sri Lanka. Post this, they played a 4-match test series against the hosts, England. Hence, it was a big tour that started in the month of June and ended in the second week of September. Indians, however, were successful in winning the triangular series in the most dramatic of manners. Furthermore, at the end of the third test, the series was leveled 1-1 with the final game to be played at the Oval. 

In a must-win game, English captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision turned out to be a good one as they piled up 515 in their first innings. Michael Vaughan was the highest run getter for the hosts as he scored a magnificent 195. In a marathon innings that lasted for more than 6 hours, Vaughan showed the ultimate display of his batting. Apart from Vaughan, Trescothick, Butcher, and Cork scored gritty half-centuries as Indian bowlers toiled for 156 overs. 

In response, the Indians ended up scoring 508 in their first innings. Rahul Dravid led from the front as he scored an incredible 217 runs. In an innings that lasted for more than 10 hours, Rahul Dravid was at his absolute best. He did not look uncomfortable in any of the 468 balls he faced in his innings. It was truly a delight to watch Dravid bat. The 28 boundaries that he hit in his innings were simply pure class. It seemed that no one could get him out. Unfortunately a misunderstanding happened in between, and Dravid was run out for 217. 

However, the standing ovation that he received when he walked back to the pavilion was simply mesmerizing. After all, he has had an amazing summer wherein he scored 602 runs in 4 test matches with a hundred at Trent Bridge, Headingley, and Oval. A feat that he went on to repeat 9 years later. The series ended 1-1 as the final test at Oval ended in a draw. Rahul Dravid was awarded the man of the match award. Whereas Michael Vaughan and Rahul Dravid were the co-winners of the Player of the Series title, as both of them had an incredible summer. 

To watch that innings of Rahul Dravid, Click Here.