Do I need to say to say anything abt cricket?Hockey may be the national game of India, but if u ask the junta of our country , the overwhelming response would be for CRICKET.The Indians may not be the most consistent team on this planet, but that hardly does matter to the cricket crazy fans of India coz no matter how many ever matches the Indians seem to lose, u will always the stadiums full for the next match and people glued to their TV sets.The Indians are not particularly known to play as a ’team’but tend to rely more heavily on ’individual brilliance’to bail them out.Listed below are a few of my favourite knocks which may not have always won the match for India but they do hold a special place in my heart.
(1)VVS Laxman(281):-I dont think that there should be much argument as to why I chose this as the best knock of all time.With India following on, after conceding a lead of 275 runs, Laxman coming in at no.3 played an innings that every player dreams of.The feature of this knock was not the innumerable fours he hit[all with exquisite timing and grace]but the fact that it wsa an absolutely flawless innings and which destroyed Waugh’s dream of conquering the ’Final Frontier’.
(2)Rahul Dravid(180):-Amidst all the euphoria surrounding Laxman’s double century, Dravid’s monumental effort was somewhat relegated to the back ground.Had dravid not been there that day then there would have been no Laxman’s 281 and no win for India.When Dravid came to the crease , he was under immense pressure for no fault of his.He had just been demoted to the no.6 and critics were accussing him of ’slow scoring’.But Dravid ’s bulldog temperament was on full view that day.He batted the whole of the fourth day and ensured that India won the match.His reaction after reaching his 100 was a resounding slap to all his detractors[Chappel, shastri].In fact I was very surprised that his name didnt figure in the top 100 innings of all time published by Wisden
(3)Sachin Tendulkar(136):-India and Pakisthan were facing each other on the cricket field after almost a decede and what a memorable test match it turned out to be.On a 5th day pitch with the ball almost turning square and Saqlain in menacing form, Sachinplayed 1 of the most classical innings ever played by an Indian cricketer.The indians were dead and buried after ganguly was out with the score just over a 100.BUt Sachin took charge of the situation and along with Mongia almost won the match for India.Mongia got out to an extremely irresponsible shot given the circumstances.But sachin carried on battling back spasms and almost won the match for India.But he finally holed out of the bowling of Saqlain with India still 14 runs short of the target.
(4)Rahul Dravid(81 & 148):-After a real hiding in the first 2 tests , the Indians think tank decided that Dravid would bat at no.3.On a seaming pitch, Dravid gave an exhibhition of his technical skills and was the last man out just before a well deserved 150.Even in the 2nd innings , he conjured up 81 and set the match up for an Indian win.But unfortunately if it hadn’t been for the rain and a defiant century from Cullinan , India would have had its meaningful victory overseas a long time ago.
(5)Sachin Tendulkar(114):-Until the Perth test in 1992 down under , Sachin was just another cricketer trying to make a name for himself But the Perth test changed all that .Sachin then only a 17 yr old announced his arrival to the cricketing world .On a perth pitch which is reputedly the fastest in the world , Sachin facing the likes od McDermott and whitney scored 114 of the most delightful runs .