Published: Oct 04, 2016, 12:51 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 04, 2016, 12:56 PM (IST)
Indian cricket team became No. 1 Test team in ICC Test Rankings after beating New Zealand by 178 runs in the second Test at Kolkata on Monday. The win sparked celebrations across the country, with fans wishing Team India on its success and enjoying the moment in their own ways. The players, who were central to this win, also marked the momentous occasion by celebrating. With this win, Team India became the No. 1 Test team for a record fourth time, surpassing Australia and South Africa, who have been there thrice each. Also the team reached to the top spot for the third time in last 10 months, every time under Virat Kohli.
However, becoming a top team in the world is no small journey. It is not an overnight process, but a long, gradual one, which begins with team building. The seeds for this achievement were sown first by Sourav Ganguly, who taught the team to win overseas and handpicked players like Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni to steady the ship of Indian cricket. The likes of Kohlis and Dhonis have only reaped the fruits of those efforts. Having said that, both Dhoni and Kohli deserve utmost credit for the feat.
The best part about this achievement is that even Kohli understands the importance of his predecessors and seniors who have helped Indian cricket reach to this height. He gave a glimpse of his modesty after the Kolkata Test win, and we bring to you that sweet moment in this video here.
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The post-match show was going on after the completion of second Test at Eden Gardens. Host Jatin Sapru was in the middle of an interaction with Sehwag and Zaheer, both of whom are a part of the commentary team for India – New Zealand series with the official broadcasters. Just when the conversation between the trio was going on, skipper Kohli came out of nowhere to interrupt. He came with the special mementos designed on the occasion of India’s historic 250th home Test and gave them to Zaheer and Sehwag on behalf of the Indian team.
Kohli said that the specially designed silver-coins were being given to Sehwag and Zaheer as the duo has served the Indian cricket with distinction and both of them richly deserved the honour. While a smiling Zaheer said ‘Thank You Mr. Kohli’, a witty Sehwag said, “hope these are not the ones reserved for support staff’. Kohli replied ‘nahi bhaiya, ye aapke hi hai’ (no elder brother, these are you two only).
The video is a pleasing one, where a young captain, who has played under the wings of the seniors, honours them for their contribution to Indian cricket with all the humility. It is notable here that during the first Test at Kanpur, which was India’s 500th Test overall, the BCCI had initiated an ‘All-Time Test XI’ initiative. A majority of best Indian Test teams named by fans, experts, former cricketers etc had Zaheer and Sehwag in the XI. Need we say more about the two? India will now take on New Zealand in the third and the final Test at Holkar Stadium, Indore.
