THE LEGEND OF KING KOHLI

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Trent Bridge, Nottingham [August 18-22, 2018].

The 2014 England Tour was an absolute nightmare for Virat Kohli. He struggled to score runs against a formidable English attack. Pacer Jimmy Anderson got the better of him most of the time, as he managed to score just 134 odd runs in 5 Test Matches. It was an absolute tragedy that no Indian fan would like to remember. As a result, when Kohli returned to English shores 4 years later, he was determined to prove himself. Interestingly, he scored a ton as well as a half-century in the first test itself but struggled to score in the Home of Cricket—Lord’s. The drama now reached Nottingham, where it was a must-win game for India to remain alive in the series.

In this crunch situation, we saw the best of King. In the swinging and pacy conditions of Nottingham, Kohli scored a gritty 97 in the first innings and a magnificent 103 in the second innings. It was pure class of Virat Kohli as Indians blew away the English in their home. Yes, fortune did favor Kohli this time, but his knocks were truly masterclass. A treat to watch. The elegance, the timing, everything was simply superb. The ghosts of 2014 were well and truly buried now as Kohli got his name etched in the Trent Bridge Honor's Board. Remarkably, the man who struggled in 2014 ended up winning the Man of the Series Award in 2018 for scoring an exceptional 593 runs in 5 tests. 

To watch Kohli's masterclass in Trent Bridge, Click Here and Here. 

THUNDER BOULT

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Eden Park, Auckland [March 22-26, 2018].

In the summer of 2018, the English cricket team toured New Zealand to play a triangular T20 series, 5 ODIs, and 2 test matches. The Aussies won the Triangular T20 Series, whereas the English won the ODI Series 3-2. Post this, the two major cricketing nations locked horns in what would be the first pink ball test in NZL. New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to field first on what looked like a spicy wicket. However, what happened next was something truly unbelievable.

The duo of Boult and Southee came charging in and blew away the English batting lineup. Boult picked up 6, whereas Southee picked up 4 as the Visitors were bowled out for just 58 in their first innings. At one stage the English scorecard read 27/9; however, Craig Overton scored a quickfire 33 and took the team total beyond 50. Interestingly, the Kiwis used just two bowlers to dismiss the entire English team. Moreover, in 20.4 overs itself, the fate of the match was very much decided. 

In response, the Kiwi captain led from the front as the hosts amassed a massive 427 in their first innings. Captain Williamson scored a gritty 102, whereas Henry Nicholls scored a well-made 145. The visitors were well behind the hosts, and it was almost certain that they would not be able to save the test. However, unlike their previous outing, they did give some fightback in the second innings. The English scored 320 in their second innings as the Kiwis won the game by an innings and 49 runs. Trent Boult was awarded the Man of the Match Award as he picked up 3 more wickets in the second innings and ended the match with the figures of 9/99. 

To watch the highlights of the Test Match, Click Here. 

THE RISE OF NEW INDIA

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah [June 10-14, 2015].

In the summer of 2015, the Indian cricket team toured Bangladesh to play one test and three ODIs. The Test Match marked the beginning of a new era as Virat Kohli captained India for the first time in a Test Series. He did captain India in a couple of test matches in Australia, but this was his first assignment as a Test Skipper. Amidst cloudy conditions, Indian Captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision turned out to be a good one, as the openers Vijay and Dhawan stitched together an opening partnership of 283 runs. Murali Vijay scored a gritty 150, whereas Dhawan scored a quickfire 173 as the visitors piled up heaps of runs. Apart from them, Rahane scored a solid 98 as the Indians declared at a respectable total of 462/6. 

In response, the Indian spinners weaved a web of spin and bowled out the hosts for just 256 runs. Ashwin picked up 5, whereas Harbhajan Singh picked up 3 wickets as Virat Kohli enforced a follow-on. Unfortunately, due to showers at regular intervals, the match ended in a draw. But it was quite evident from this test match how Team India will play in the coming years under the leadership of their charismatic captain, Virat Kohli. 

THE BEST OF LITTLE MASTER

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street [July 4, 2002].

In the summer of 2002, the Indian cricket team toured the UK to play an ODI Tri Series and 4 test matches. The Indians started their campaign pretty well, and the action of the series reached the north of England, i.e., Chester-le-Street. North England is a place wherein the Hosts have always dominated. Hence, the game was not going to be an easy one for the visitors. Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly won the toss and decided to bat first on what looked like a good batting surface.

However, it was the Host that got off to a great start as they reduced the Visitors to 52/3 in 10 overs. The game was on a knife-edge, and this is when Rahul Dravid joined Great Sachin Tendulkar in between. The duo batted off sensibly and took the sting out of the game. Furthermore, they not only saved their wickets but also scored runs in every scoring opportunity. 

Sachin Tendulkar scored his first ODI hundred (105) against England in England, whereas Rahul Dravid scored a gritty 82. However, it was the flamboyant Yuvraj Singh who stole the show as he scored a quick-fire 40 off 19 deliveries. Due to the acceleration in the final overs, the visitors managed to score a respectable total of 285 in their 50 overs.

Unfortunately, the rain hit in between the game could not get completed. However, this match will forever be remembered by the Cricket Fans for the class and elegance of Sachin Tendulkar.

To watch the innings of Sachin Tendulkar, Click Here. 

 

HERE WAS A CAESAR! WHEN COMES SUCH ANOTHER?

 

Dear Virat,

It took me about 6 days to prepare myself to watch you play again tonight, all this while I was living in March 2025, where you told us all “Don’t be nervous, I am not making any announcements”. It made me believe that your final roar in white will be in England this summer. It made me believe in one last dance, one last record, one last tour, perhaps a final swansong for the greatest man of test cricket at the grounds of Lord’s or the Oval!

Last few years, especially post covid your records may have gradually started to come along slow but during this period as an individual I went back to start watching all the games you played in; especially your 119 and 96 at Johannesburg in 2013, in Wellington, when you brought out some aggressive 105 off 135 deliveries and two back-to-back centuries in Adelaide in December 2014, you created a massive surge between 2016 to 2019, across all formats and one of the best phases of Indian test cricket in what three decades ? You know you have some superpower; trust me I have not seen this in anyone else.

You know what, your cricket bought in my life, individual presence, the approach, performance, relevance, excitement, and love for red-ball cricket actually all formats. With your bat, words/ quotes, mind, gestures, body language; to put up a brave fight, and you didn’t mind going down trying hard, never give an inch, and never take a sledge without reciprocating (I personally have become one who tries hard to copy you in my way of life.)

“For 60 overs, they should feel hell out there” is now a framed quote on my wall in one of personal corners at home. While you may have shaped and nurtured a lot of players believe me you have nurtured me in life. I still have to learn how do you accept “Captain or not you got be a team man”, it’s hard to follow. I don’t know how you managed and forever remained a team man (when at times the selectors the followers the trollers made it tough, I wonder how!) roaring for every big and small win and wicket, encouraging and celebrating. Believe me I still don’t buy the argument that your hand-eye-feet coordination seemed to have no balance.

Author- Rishika.