Trivia : Magical Match of 1983

Today, I discovered a trivia about one of the greatest innings in ODI Cricket, and definitely the bravest innings of Indian Cricketing history. I am talking about the 175 Not Out innings played by Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe way back in 1983.

The trivia that I am talking about is that “This” was the “FIRST” Indian ODI Century EVER! Beat that! The first and most probably, the greatest! India were reduced to 17/5 , and one of the finest allrounder of all times did not just produce a fine innings, he broke a barrier that had existed since 1974 (when India played its first ODI)

Another interesting trivia about this innings – Exactly 100 runs were scored in boundaries (16 4s and 6 6s). 🙂

This is one match for which none of the media channels has got any video footage.

Statistically, in this match, Kapil scored more than 65% of the runs scored by the Indian team, while facing 38% of the deliveries. Impressive, Huh?

Kapil also took the last wicket of Zimb innings (John Traicos) to seal the match for India.

And a couple of matches down the line, he did take one of the most memorable catches (Of SIR Viv Richards, running backwards) for Indian cricket.

History is truly made of magical stuff!

Another Loss! Whoz the Boss?

Third ODI against South Africa in the current series. Back to Back losses. Extremely pathetic batting display. Irfan Pathan top scored with 47. Another comprehensive victory for SA.

I was trying to look at the Indian lineup for this match. We had Jaffer, Sehwag, Tendulkar, Kaif, Dinesh Karthik, Dhoni, Pathan, Agarkar, Sreesanth , Kumble and Zahir Khan.

One close look will tell you that we went in with four bowlers who can hardly bat, one bowler who is an aspiring allrounder, 2 wicket keepers and 4 out of form batsmen! Would I call that a winning combination? I have my reservations!

Lets question this lot a bit.

Sehwag has been out of sorts (oops, shots!) for quite some time. Like so many great Indian stars, there are a couple of shots from him that show some promise and glimpses of old time sorcery , but that is just an eyewash. The real thing is the nervous energy and reckless attitude that will become his undoing in the future!

Jaffer.. yippee!! Another example of flashing when its just not required. How many times have we seen that? I have lost count. You play a few nice drivers. And then there is a ball swinging away from you outside the off stump. You are supposed to be a good batsman with a good temperament. But alas! Jesus couldn’t stop you from being led into the temptation!

Tendulkar – Cricinfo tells me that Pollock got him for the 9^th time. Only Chaminda Vaas has managed to do it so many times. Story – edgy beginner, Tendulkar manages to pass one to the keeper/slips a bit too often against these two! I want to criticise him for being out of touch and getting out like that. But my respect for the master stops me!

Surprisingly, Kaif did not hole out. He did not get bowled out. He did the most unexpected thing of him. He got himself run out!

All these four top order guys are in absolutely topless form. You can’t make a blockbuster when the lead actors of your movie want to play only a guest appearance!

I don’t want to talk about the brave Indian batting tail, which seldom does the job its supposed to do (containing the batsmen, that is). But I do want to wonder about Karthik’s place in the team! Wasn’t he a keeper who could bat a bit? Do we really think he is better than Laxman in batting? Whats this world coming to? Are the selectors morons?

Damn it! We deserve to lose, with brains like that! Its surprising that we don’t stop playing international cricket for a couple of years! At least , stop playing cricket in other countries. We are good ol momma’s boys. We like playing in our backyard! Are the selectors listening?

Sports: Tendulkar- You can’t write him off!

Its impossible to write-off great batsmen like Tendulkar. I had to say this, as I watch India open their innings against England. The chase is a minimal one (126 in 50 overs), and critics would come back saying that there was no pressure on him this time round!

But
1. There always is pressure, when you are playing the highest form of cricket.
2. There always is pressure when you are playing for your country, and a game that a billion people follow!
3. I am not talking about the attacking form of cricket. The class of a batsman is visible when he is defending the ball, with the full face of his bat, the front feet stretching all the way to meet the ball, no gap between bat and pad and a completely still head! Look a some of the defensive strokes he played early on in Today’s match in Champion’s Trophy

The embedded video is the attacking display, but I would want you guys to think not of the pulls and the blasts, but of the punches of his backfoot, when his body is partly in air! Isnt this poetry in motion??

Can you ever write him off????

Just thought that I would keep throwing my view on…

Just thought that I would keep throwing my view on the game.. while the game is on!
5.4 overs down. SA 18-2. Have you ever felt the power of someone else’s desire sweeping you over. When Pathan got Smith trapped leg before the wicket, I am sure his war cary of “COME ON!!!!” woud have lifted the fighting spirit of the entire team. The raw power behind his cry would have given everyone the confidence that is needed to rip an entire body apart with bare claws. That’s power! that’s desire! and that’s the hunger to win!!

Kallis is still in good touch. Bad news so far. its only 6.2 overs down, but the fist few touches have been interesting. And that takes care of Kallis!!! Edged to the keeper. Flashing his bat hard at a ball going quite far outside the off stump. Pathan Strikes again. and A MIGHTY BIG WICKET THIS!!!
Kemp was not dressed! Lets see whos gonna walk in next!!

Second match of the series. India are already 1-0 down in the series. SA won the previous match quite comfortably in the end. Despite the glitches here and tehre, and a competitive fight by India, the end is what matters, and a five wicket victory always seems like a comfortable victory to have!
The match is being played at Chinnaswamy, Bangalore. Date – November 19, 2005, Saturday.
Back to Part three of my post-Its Mr. PRINCE on the wicket now.Showed a few good touches in the last match. It was the partnership between Prince and Kallis that kinda nailed the game down for India. I watched precious little during that match but whatever I saw of him, was quite impressive indeed!
Seven overs. 20-3. Indian team is charged up. SA against the wall. Bhajji is brooding about his strategy next! Pathan is in rocking touch. And rocking- the SA boat is!!!
NExt few posts are gonna be without the title!
That was a cracking shot between point and the covers. Hall is flashing his bat. So far, so good!
Eight overs. 24-3
beginning of ninth. Pathan. Another four. Straight drive from Prince. SA is 28-3
Its a torture being a supporter and a commentator both. There are these moments when your side is being thulped.. there will be those few overs in every innings. These are moments when I become unsure of whether I should be praising the brilliant batting display or ruing my own team’s fate! 🙂
Back to the game, Andrew Hall glances one really fine down the leg side. Keeper Dhoni couldn’t do anything there, and thats another boundary in the over. 33 is the score now.
Andrew Hall is considered to be one of the untapped talents of SA team. Someone who has a lot of potential, but hasn’t done any justice to himself with an average of 22.75. The good news is – SA has persisted with him!