Published: Apr 16, 2011, 11:31 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 20, 2014, 01:47 PM (IST)
By Alternative Cricket
The 2011 World Cup ended two weeks ago, but the halo around the Indian team continues to glow brightly after their epic win in the final. And, one presumes, it will last a very long time.
The 2011 World Cup also saw plenty of commentary gaffes – ‘gems’ that will also remain in our memory for a very long time.
Here are the top few worthy of your derision…
13. Russell Arnold on India’s chase against Australia: “When the score gets below 100, that’s when they feel the pressure…because [pause] it’s in double digits then.”
12. “The crowd realises there’s a match on here.” – Ravi Shastri on India vs Pakistan.
11. “Let a dog return to its vomit.” – Navjot Singh Sidhu on Ravichandran Ashwin’s non-selection for the World Cup final. Yes, he seriously said that!
10. Ian Chappell on India’s chase vs Australia: “It’s a bit tight, isn’t it?”
Ravi Shastri: “That’s what she said.”
9. Ravi Shastri: “The coin comes up heads!” [Ahmedabad crowd cheers crazily] “Australia have won the toss!” [crowd boos]
8. The ball bobbles in the field and hits Umar Akmal flush on the head, dazing him.
Wasim Akram: “That could have hit him anywhere.”
Jesus wept.
7. Ravi Shastri on the Chennai crowd: “This is a really knowledgeable crowd; they know this could go down to the wire.”
So, a crowd of Shastris, then?
6. Dr Sunil Gavaskar on Kieron Pollard’s dislocated little finger: “I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference.”
5. “Are you playing for the win?” – Ravi Shastri to MS Dhoni…before every single match.
4. Dr Wasim Akram on Pakistan’s Asad Shafiq: “It could be cramps…could be anything…really, could be anything.”
3. “It’s getting much brighter out here.” – Alan Wilkins, after the floodlights came on.
2. Wasim Akram: “Do you think Shahid Afridi leading from the front helped?”
Younis Khan: “No shit, Sherlock.”
1. But the best moment of the World Cup surely has to go to Ravi Shastri, during India vs England…
Gambhir charges down the pitch, scythes Bresnan over cover for four.
#ShastriSays: “That was intentional from Gambhir.”
(This article is reproduced with permission from AlternativeCricket.com. AlternativeCricket is currently developing a scholarship for young Afghan cricketers. You can follow them on Facebook (facebook.com/alternativecricket) and Twitter (twitter.com/altcricket)
