THE LEGEND OF SIR GARFIELD SOBERS

 

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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, the English cricket team toured Australia to defend their Ashes title. Both the teams were in the 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-run stand as the 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 England would deliver the first punch in this highly anticipated Ashes Series. 

However, Captain Smith stood strong and made sure that the Aussies went past the English first innings score. Smith scored a brilliant 141 of 326 deliveries and brought his side back 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 a mere 195 runs. The hosts now required just 170 runs to win the first test and take a 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 a 10-wicket win, but this could not have been possible without the masterclass of Steve Smith.

To watch the 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.  

THE RUN-CHASE

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Venue- Kingsmead, Durban [February 2019]

Sri Lankan cricketer Kusal Perera delivered an exceptional performance in the First Test against South Africa, scoring an unbeaten 153 and steering his team to a remarkable one-wicket triumph in the two-match series. Played in Durban, the match witnessed Sri Lanka successfully chasing a challenging target of 304, ultimately securing a 2-0 series victory. Perera, alongside Vishwa Fernando, engineered a record-breaking 10th wicket partnership, injecting a thrilling conclusion to the fluctuating Test match. Their partnership, totaling an unbeaten 78 runs, rescued the Sri Lankan side and propelled them across the finish line.

Commencing with Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne winning the toss and opting to field, the hosts were dismissed for 235 in the initial innings, with top scorer Quinton de Kock amassing 80 runs and Temba Bavuma contributing 47. South Africa countered by dismissing the Sri Lankans for 191, with Perera and Karunaratne leading the scoring with 51 and 30 runs, respectively, while only two others managed to reach double figures.

Facing a target of 304 runs, Sri Lanka began steadily but stumbled to 52/3. Perera then took charge, stabilizing the innings with partnerships of 58 runs with Oshada Fernando and 96 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Perera persisted, reaching his century in the 74th over and continuing his sensational display to eventually guide Sri Lanka within striking distance of victory.

Perera's stellar innings of 153 runs, which included 12 fours and five sixes, earned widespread acclaim and marked his highest score in 15 Tests. He was rightfully awarded the man of the match for his outstanding contribution, a performance that will be etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Sri Lanka's series win in South Africa, particularly the stunning victory in Durban, stands as one of the most memorable overseas achievements of the decade. Prior to this series, South Africa had dominated with 15 wins in their last 17 home tests, making Sri Lanka's triumph all the more remarkable.

To watch Perera's incredible knock, Click Here. 

THE WALL

 

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Venue- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi [April 2004].

India's visit to Pakistan during the 2003-04 cricket season was significant for several reasons. It symbolized the revival of cricketing relations between the neighboring countries and provided a platform for India's emerging cricketers to showcase their talent and cement their places as legends of the sport, which they certainly did not fail to do. The pivotal three-match Test series, clinched 2-1 by India, was dominated by Virender Sehwag, who etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to surpass the 300-run milestone during the Multan Test. While players like Irfan Pathan, Lakshmipathy Balaji, and Anil Kumble contributed consistently throughout the series, it was Rahul Dravid who emerged as the savior for the visiting team in the decisive match at Rawalpindi.

With the series tied at 1-1, the fate rested on the outcome of the third Test in Rawalpindi. Despite a lackluster performance by his standards earlier in the series with scores of 6, 33, and 0, Rahul Dravid seized the moment to turn the tables. Supported by Balaji's impressive four-wicket haul on Day 1, which restricted Pakistan to 224, Dravid relieved the pressure on India's batting lineup. However, Shoaib Akhtar dealt a blow to India by dismissing the in-form Virender Sehwag for a duck, leaving Dravid with a monumental task.

The experienced campaigner, alongside Parthiv Patel, steered India towards stability. Yet, Dravid's remarkable turnaround began on Day 1 when he reached 100 runs, and by Day 3, he soared to 270 – his highest Test score – guiding India to a commanding total of 600. Reflecting on his performance, Dravid recalled a light-hearted prediction he had made after the first day's play when he felt confident about his batting despite a modest score.

India's imposing total proved insurmountable for Pakistan as they faltered for the second time in the match. Anil Kumble claimed four wickets, while Balaji snared three, securing India's victory by an innings and 131 runs, thus clinching the series 2-1.

To watch that knock, Click Here. 

A WIN TO CHERISH

 

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Venue – Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town [January 3-4, 2024].

In December 2023, the Indian Cricket Team toured South Africa to play 3 T20s, 3 ODIs and 2 Tests. The T20 Series ended 1-1, whereas the Indians won the ODI Series 2-1. As a result, hopes were high, and many believed that we could conquer the final frontier this time. After all, South Africa is the only place where we are yet to win a test series. However, those hopes got shattered in Centurion when India lost the match by an innings and 32 runs. It was indeed a disastrous performance by the visitors. 

Furthermore, the second test was scheduled in a venue wherein India has never won a test match. So, the comeback was not going to be that easy. However, in a few days' time everything changed as Indians wrapped up this deciding test in just 2 days and levelled the series 1-1. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah led from the front as Indians won the 2nd test by 7 wickets. 

South African Captain Dean Elgar won the toss and decided to bat first. However, it turned out to be a disaster, as the hosts were bowled out for just 55 runs in their first innings. Mohammed Siraj picked up 6 wickets for just 15 runs as he made a mess of the South Africa batting line-up. In response the Indians were bowled out for 153 runs in their first innings.  Interestingly, we lost our last six wickets at the score of 153 itself. We went from 153/4 to 153 all out. Apart from Virat Kohli, no one else looked comfortable on the pitch. Kohli scored a quickfire 46 off 59 deliveries as we took an important lead of 98 runs.

The South Africans were still in the game, but Bumrah dashed all their hopes of a comeback as he picked up 6 wickets in the 2nd innings, which reduced South Africa to 176 in their second innings. Aiden Markram scored a magnificent 106 in such tough conditions, but apart from him, every Proteas batsman struggled to bat. Indians needed 79 runs to win the game, but looking at the surface of the pitch, even that looked challenging.

However, the Indian top order came out with an attacking approach and finished the game in just 12 overs. Thus, marking India's first ever Test win at the venue. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that this was also the shortest test in terms of balls bowled to end in a result (642).

The series was levelled 1-1, as both the teams shared the trophy at the presentation. 

 

To watch the highlights of this Test, click on the URLs below.

Day 1.

Day 2.