Published: Dec 23, 2011, 12:01 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 16, 2014, 06:34 PM (IST)
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
Though it was a bitter-sweet year for India, it can be said that the sweetness of the World Cup triumph and Virender Sehwag’s epic 219 more than compensated for all the misfortunes India endured on the field of play.
The unforgettable moments of 2011:
1. Jail for spot-fixing cheats
The tainted trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were sent to prison for their involvement in spot-fixing during the England-Pakistan Test match at Lord’s in 2010. The verdict rocked the world as it moved past the traditional practice of banning and implemented a harsher punishment. It was a black day for world cricket which changed the course of history. In future, players would think twice before indulging in such practices, thanks to the precedence set by this judgment.
2. India’s World Cup win and Sachin Tendulkar chaired around Wankhede
A nation of over one billion people rejoiced after 28 years when Mahendra Singh Dhoni lifted the World Cup at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Sachin Tendulkar, around whom India’s campaign centered, realised his long-cherished dream and was memorably chaired on his home ground by his team-mates. “Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It was time we carried him, “Virat Kohli said in what was among the most unforgettable quotes of the year. Emotions ran high as the moment got to each Indian player.
Yuvraj Singh, as it turned out later, battled health problems, questions over form and fitness, to emerge as the Player of the 2011 World Cup.
It was a fairytale ending to India’s journey in the tournament.
3. Muralitharan’s emotional farewell at Premadasa Stadium
Spin-wizard Muttiah Muralitharan’s last game for Sri Lanka at home turned into an emotional affair when he was given a lap of honour at Premadasa Stadium after beating New Zealand in the semi-finals of the World Cup. Muralitharan symbolised the hopes of his country on the cricket field for years and became the game’s leading wicket-taker in Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The great man waved at the crowds and flashed his trademark heart-winning smile when carried around the ground by his team-mates.
4. England’s 4-0 washout of India and rise to the No 1 Test rankings
The England-India series was billed as the battle of the equals. But the happenings in the series would suggest that it was “a battle of unequals” as India were ruthlessly crushed by England side. The home team also displaced India as the No 1 Test side in the world. England had already grabbed hold of the crown and were looking for a strong finish going into the last Test of the four-match series. As Sachin Tendulkar and Amit Mishra threatened to fight it out and save the blushes for India, the English bowlers sparked a remarkable collapse, as they had done so often in the series. The fight ended with the two dismissals and Andrew Strauss accepted the mace with joy in front of the jubilant The Oval crowd. It was the result of remarkable consistency and great planning by a fantastic think-tank. England are certainly the team to beat as we move into the New Year.
5. England’s Ashes triumph in Australia after 24 years
The No 1 was just the icing on the cake for England after their Ashes victory. Andrew Strauss’ men thrashed Australia 3-1 to retain the urn. Like their surge to No 1 against India later, England had already retained the Ashes heading into Sydney for the last Test. However, the intensity levels didn’t drop as the strangled Australia and sealed the series with panache. The celebrations with the urn on Australian soil had eluded the English for 24 long years. It was a moment all the players had dreamt off. However, as they showed later in the year, it was just the start of their domination.
6. Ian Bell’s recall by MS Dhoni after a controversial run out
It was the last ball before tea. Ian Bell had carelessly trudged out of his crease under the impression that the umpires had declared the end of the over. However, the ball was in play as the fielder had just thrown it towards the stumps from the deep. The bails were taken off and Bell was declared out. A visibly furious Bell walked off the field and the Indians were booed as they left for tea. When play resumed, the world witnessed a remarkable sporting gesture from Dhoni, who withdrew his appeal and allowed Bell to continue his innings. It was a gesture that attracted widespread appreciation and got Dhoni the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award. It was a defining moment that spoke volumes of Dhoni’s sense of fairplay.
7. Ireland’s victory over England in the World Cup
Ireland and England have shared a rivalry in quite a few sports, but cricket was never amongst them. Kevin O’Brien was intent on changing that when he started his onslaught with Ireland on 111 for five, chasing 328. The strong Irishman hit everything off the middle of the bat and scored the fastest World Cup hundred and powered his team to a historic win. John Mooney hit the winning runs in the last over to spark off wild celebrations in the Irish camp. The win came at a time when there were questions on the participation of minnows in the big event. Ireland put forward their case and showed that they were there to compete and weren’t mere pushovers. As a result, the minnows’ arguments for inclusion into the next World Cup became even stronger. But on that night, Bangalore turned into Dublin!
8. Virender Sehwag’s record-breaking 219
The disciple went past his idol at Indore as the world witnessed the Delhi dasher write his name in the record books. Before Sachin Tendulkar smashed the first double hundred in ODIs, most people would have backed Sehwag to get the landmark. He didn’t disappoint as he played a knock which had copious amount of Sehwag’s aggression, but laced with a bit of uncharacteristic caution. The knock personified Sehwag’s evolution.
9. New Zealand beat Australia in Test cricket after 18 years
When the Ross Taylor-led side arrived in Australia, they would have backed themselves to change the course of recent history as the home side aren’t the dominating unit they were a few years ago. The Kiwi hopes took a bashing in the first Test and were dented further by Daniel Vettori’s injury prior to the second. On the final day, Australia needed 241 runs to win. David Warner played a blinder, but the Kiwis rose to the occasion. As last man, Nathan Lyon threatened to win the Test with Warner, Doug Bracewell got through his defence to signal an epic win for New Zealand.
10. Australia 21 for nine!
Anyone who switched on their television sets to find Australia at 21 for nine at Cape Town against South Africa would have stared in disbelief. After bowling out South Africa for 96 in the first innings and thereby taking a huge lead, Australia had a chance to shut the home side out of the game. All those endeavours went awry as the debutant Vernon Philander put in an excellent exhibition of seam bowling, abetted by some careless shot-making by the Australian batsmen. Panic got the better of the Aussies as they threatened to sink to the lowest score ever in Test cricket. The tail hung around to avoid the dubious distinction, but that scoreline would be etched in memory. It was another indication of Australia’s struggle in the period of transition.
Click here for more 2011 yearenders
(Nishad Pai Vaidya, a 21-year-old law student, is a club and college-level cricketer. His teachers always complain, “He knows the stats and facts of cricket more than the subjects we teach him.”)
