I am an Indian. So obviously, there’s a huge probability of
me being a cricket fan- or even better- cricket devotee. Well that’s very much
genetic. When I was a fetus in my mother’s womb, my Mummy spent time watching
the 1987 World Cup. So I have been watching cricket even before my birth, I
would boast!! :-)
My first acquaintance with cricket was the
1996 Wills World Cup. Those were the days I struggled to understand LBW or
Stumpings. But still it was fun to watch and play. That was the era when Australia’ domination in cricket
had just begun. Those were the days when the post-apartheid South Africa
started choking at crucial moments. These were the times when Sri Lanka was a
new star in cricketing world. And that was the epoch when Indian Cricket Team
meant only one thing: SACHIN!!!
As
I look back to my childhood, I can relate it with the cricketing history of
India. My generation has seen the rise of Indian cricket from chasm to climax. We
have seen the rise of Dada, The Wall, Sehwag, Yuvi, MSD and Kohli. We have seen
the passing of the legacies: Azhar to VVS in wristwork, Kumble to Ashwin in
Topspinners, Sehwag to Dhawan in explosive openings, Srinath to Bhuvaneshwar
(via Zaheer) in cutters. While summarizing the paradigm shift in Indian
cricket, few moments come into my mind. I’m fortunate enough to find some
pictures to revisit these memories. I consider these moments as the ten most defining moments of our times.
(Almost all the pics here are
relating to batting. That shows how batting dominates the scene. Even today,
its more of “Batting me Jalwa and Bowling me Halwa” for Indian team… :-))
1.
The moment-1983.
Well, this is the reference point for me.
No need to describe this one. 25th June 1983: India wins the
World Cup.
2. The tearful exit.
Sri Lanka 251/8. India 120/8 in 34.1 overs. The team fumbles from 98/1 to
120/8 after Sachin gets out, which was quite usual those days. Eden Garden is
seriously infuriated by this collapse. The crowd vents the disgust by setting
fire in some parts of the stands and throwing some items on ground. The match
is awarded to SL, who march to Finals. Vinod Kambli, like the Indian supporters
is unable to hold back his feelings.
3.
The desert storm.
Its Sharjah. The April of 1998.
Australia seem to be in a great position to win the Pepsi Cup. But one man has
other plans: Sachin Tendulkar! He hits 143 in league match to help India
qualify for finals and then on his 24th birthday, gifts himself and
his team a brilliant 134 leading India to win the Finale and take home Pepsi
Cup. This is the same series in which Shane Warne admitted his ‘Sachin
Nightmares’. The last league match mentioned above also saw the desert storm in
the stadium when all other players and umpires were searching for cover but SRT
stood firm amidst the firm. No metaphor can describe the resolve and character
of this little master better than this incident!!
4.
The VVS-Wall show.
Kolkata. 2001. Aussies, who are on a 16 match winning streak, are leading
the series 1-0. In second match too, they lead India by 274 runs after first
innings. Well, the series seems sealed in Australia’s favour. But VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid put on a
mammoth 376 to set up a stiff target for the Kangaroos. Turbanator continues
his dream run to get Aussies bowled 171 runs short of target. History is
created.
5.
The broken jaw.
One of the most respected cricketer from India- Anil Kumble- further
increases his reputation by bowling with a fractured mandible bone. He leads
his team’s quest for victory against the Caribbeans on their home ground with
his dedication and commitment. And to make it even more commendable, he picks
up Brian Lara’s wicket too!
6.
The flying chase and the flying shirt.
2002 Natwest series final on Lords. Nasser Hussain leads England to 325.
India slide to 146/5 after a fantastic start by skipper Ganguly. Not many
spectators hoping for India to win. Two young men viz. Yuvraj and Kaif add 121
in no time. Kaif continues with the tail-enders and dives on the third ball of
the final over to make it 326/8. India win. Celebrations start on the field.
But ohh… There’s something going in the Lords balcony too! Aw mannn… That’s
Saurav Ganguly taking off his shirt and flying it frantically in the air. An
answer to Flintoff’s shirtless celebration in India earlier. A gesture full of
aggression from a captain who taught Indian cricket team to play aggressively!!
7.
The era of T20 arrives.
Its 2007 monsoon. People are skeptic about this T20 thing. This won’t be
a success in India, many feel. There is a gloom after 2007 World Cup debacle.
Plus Sachin, Saurav, Rahul decide to skip T20 World cup. Young MS Dhoni is
given the reins. Still people aren’t upbeat about the tournament. In the first
match played, India tie with Pakistan and win in the shootout. One fine
evening, Yuvi hits 6 sixes in an over. Then India defeats mighty Kangaroos. And
in a dream finale, India win the heart-throbbing and nail-biting contest with
arch rival Pakistan to lift the trophy. This is new age cricket. This is new
age Indian team!!
8.
The newfound aggression.
The youngsters are now knocking doors. They have a different cricketing
culture as compared to their seniors. They are aggressive, with rush of young blood.
They run hard between the wickets. They dive around like its routine. They respond rough talk from opposition by
hitting six sixes in an over. They answer bowler’s sledging by looking into his
eyes before hitting his ball out of the field. They don’t get pressurized even
if the target is 350 of 50 overs. This is the generation of non-conformists.
For instance: Yuvi’s cameo versus Australia in 2011 World Cup quarter final or
Virat’s annihilation of Sri Lanka when India chased down 320 in 40 overs.
9.
The moment of glory.
Well, I would just quote a piece of commentary from Cricinfo.
"48.2 India need 4. Kulasekara to Dhoni.
INDIA WIN!! A stunning, crashing blow to achieve it. It was a full delivery and Dhoni has sent the white
ball flying over long-on. Indian contingent have gone mad. The dressing room
erupts with joy. Dhoni had a poor batting record in World cups. 34 was his
highest. And what does he do? He promotes himself and has played a fine knock
to pull this off. Yuvraj envelops him with a hug. What a knock from Gautam
Gambhir and Dhoni. Spare a thought for Mahela Jayawardene who unfurled a
sublime knock to set up this target. It's Dhoni’s night though. Its India’s
night. The Indian huddle is on the ground. They hop and jump in joy. The players have tears in their eyes. Last time
Sri Lanka won the tournament, and beat India, one Indian cricketer left the
arena in tears of sorrow. Now it's the opposite. Meanwhile Tendulkar is being
carried on the shoulders of the players. What a moment!!"
10. The era ends.
15th
November 2013. Sachin Tendulkar is carried on the shoulders of Indian
cricketers once again. One last time. The master blaster retires. An era ends.
A new era begins…
