2016, The Year in review!
2016, The Year in review!
As 2016 has come to an end, it's only fair if we have a look at the highlights of the year. We will have a look at a few moments which shaped the cricketing world (for better or for worse). From splendid knock's to 'ball tampering', let us quickly have a look at a few events that are worth remembering;
1) Carlos Brathwaite, World T20 Final, 2016 (34 runs off 10 balls)
If you ask any sportsperson what their dream is, he or she will definitely say that it is to perform at the big stage, when it matters the most. When the chips are down, that is when the stage is set for heroes to be made. "CARLOS BRATHWAITE, REMEMBER THE NAME!" - These words said by Ian Bishop during the commentary of the finals, still give me goosebumps, each time I hear them. With 19 needed off the last over, a lot of televisions were turned off, as people wrote the Windies off. What happened in the next couple of minutes, left Ben Stokes and the entire English team absolutely stunned! Brathwaite smashed 4 consecutive sixes off Stokes and won it for the West Indies. Though, I really was feeling for Ben Stokes at that point of time, as he left the field in tears.
2) Younis Khan, 218 vs. England at The Kia Oval
This masterful double century by the veteran Pakistan batsman was the Test knock of 2016. With Pakistan trailing 2-1 going into the final Test, the confidence seemed to be down in their camp. But then, this is exactly why there should be experience in every Test side. Pakistan batted first, and it seemed that the moment Younis walked out in the middle, the confidence of the entire team changed. Such is the stature of the man. The double century not only got Pakistan to a healthy total of 542, but gave them a lot of hope and the bowling attack suddenly seemed lifted and Pakistan bowled England out just within the follow-on reach. From that point on, a Pakistan win was just around the corner. These are the kind of Test knocks that people tend to remember, even years later.
3) Virat Kohli, 82* off 51 balls vs Australia at Mohali
Was there a better limited overs knock than this? For me, it was a toss up between this knock and Kohli's knock of 154* off 134 deliveries, in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, as he scored more than half of the team's runs (289). But the overall situation in which this spectacular knock had been played was just too special to be ignored. India found themselves playing Australia in the final match of the Group stages. It was a virtual quarter final, as the winner of this game would directly progress into the semi final. Although India were the favorites going into this game, the hosts looked in a spot of bother when the openers were dismissed early on, after a fairly slow start. Chasing 161 in a knockout match is always a difficult task, be it any team. Then Kohli came out to bat and with time, found a useful ally in Yuvraj Singh. The hard running between the wickets at this point just about kept India in the game. Yuvraj soon fell to a stunning catch from Shane Watson. It was then that we saw a sudden shift in gears from Virat Kohli. From power hitting to just daftly opening the face of the bat to run the ball towards the gap at deep point, the man played it all. The phrase 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man' perfectly suits this marvelous knock.
4) The infamous Faf!
This incident sparked a huge debate on whether the ICC guidelines are clear as to what exactly amounts to ball tampering. Faf Du Plessis found a lot of support from majority of the cricket fanbase, as it was largely felt that the Aussies were just being sore losers at this point. Faf did challenge the ruling and was still found guilty. Things got pretty serious too, when he pushed an Australian media agent at the airport. Nevertheless, in my opinion it was just a cover up to what was quite an awful batting performance by the Aussies. But then again, what is the media for?
5) Steven Smith, 48* vs South Africa at Hobart
It may not seem like a significant score, and I may look like a fool putting this up on my list, but if you look at the scoreboard and the way Philander, Rabada and Abbott were bowling, all your thoughts will change. Australia were bowled out for 85 in the first innings at Hobart. The South Africans were absolutely spot on with their lengths and hardly ever gave any freebies. Amongst all of the chaos, it was Steven Smith who stood tall and showed not only his skills as a batsman, but also his mental skills as a captain/leader. With critics questioning his ability as a captain, there was just something different about this knock from the Aussie skipper. Smith looked absolutely determined to change his team's fortunes, but unfortunately for him, all of his allies fell to the brilliance of the South African's. This was an absolutely brilliant knock, nevertheless. Watching Smith bat for those 80 balls was an absolute treat.
With that, I would like to sum up my Top 5 Moments of 2016, which shaped the cricketing world, and will be remembered for atleast a few years to come, as we look down the memory lane.
1) Carlos Brathwaite, World T20 Final, 2016 (34 runs off 10 balls)
If you ask any sportsperson what their dream is, he or she will definitely say that it is to perform at the big stage, when it matters the most. When the chips are down, that is when the stage is set for heroes to be made. "CARLOS BRATHWAITE, REMEMBER THE NAME!" - These words said by Ian Bishop during the commentary of the finals, still give me goosebumps, each time I hear them. With 19 needed off the last over, a lot of televisions were turned off, as people wrote the Windies off. What happened in the next couple of minutes, left Ben Stokes and the entire English team absolutely stunned! Brathwaite smashed 4 consecutive sixes off Stokes and won it for the West Indies. Though, I really was feeling for Ben Stokes at that point of time, as he left the field in tears.
2) Younis Khan, 218 vs. England at The Kia Oval
This masterful double century by the veteran Pakistan batsman was the Test knock of 2016. With Pakistan trailing 2-1 going into the final Test, the confidence seemed to be down in their camp. But then, this is exactly why there should be experience in every Test side. Pakistan batted first, and it seemed that the moment Younis walked out in the middle, the confidence of the entire team changed. Such is the stature of the man. The double century not only got Pakistan to a healthy total of 542, but gave them a lot of hope and the bowling attack suddenly seemed lifted and Pakistan bowled England out just within the follow-on reach. From that point on, a Pakistan win was just around the corner. These are the kind of Test knocks that people tend to remember, even years later.
3) Virat Kohli, 82* off 51 balls vs Australia at Mohali
Was there a better limited overs knock than this? For me, it was a toss up between this knock and Kohli's knock of 154* off 134 deliveries, in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, as he scored more than half of the team's runs (289). But the overall situation in which this spectacular knock had been played was just too special to be ignored. India found themselves playing Australia in the final match of the Group stages. It was a virtual quarter final, as the winner of this game would directly progress into the semi final. Although India were the favorites going into this game, the hosts looked in a spot of bother when the openers were dismissed early on, after a fairly slow start. Chasing 161 in a knockout match is always a difficult task, be it any team. Then Kohli came out to bat and with time, found a useful ally in Yuvraj Singh. The hard running between the wickets at this point just about kept India in the game. Yuvraj soon fell to a stunning catch from Shane Watson. It was then that we saw a sudden shift in gears from Virat Kohli. From power hitting to just daftly opening the face of the bat to run the ball towards the gap at deep point, the man played it all. The phrase 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man' perfectly suits this marvelous knock.
4) The infamous Faf!
This incident sparked a huge debate on whether the ICC guidelines are clear as to what exactly amounts to ball tampering. Faf Du Plessis found a lot of support from majority of the cricket fanbase, as it was largely felt that the Aussies were just being sore losers at this point. Faf did challenge the ruling and was still found guilty. Things got pretty serious too, when he pushed an Australian media agent at the airport. Nevertheless, in my opinion it was just a cover up to what was quite an awful batting performance by the Aussies. But then again, what is the media for?
5) Steven Smith, 48* vs South Africa at Hobart
It may not seem like a significant score, and I may look like a fool putting this up on my list, but if you look at the scoreboard and the way Philander, Rabada and Abbott were bowling, all your thoughts will change. Australia were bowled out for 85 in the first innings at Hobart. The South Africans were absolutely spot on with their lengths and hardly ever gave any freebies. Amongst all of the chaos, it was Steven Smith who stood tall and showed not only his skills as a batsman, but also his mental skills as a captain/leader. With critics questioning his ability as a captain, there was just something different about this knock from the Aussie skipper. Smith looked absolutely determined to change his team's fortunes, but unfortunately for him, all of his allies fell to the brilliance of the South African's. This was an absolutely brilliant knock, nevertheless. Watching Smith bat for those 80 balls was an absolute treat.
With that, I would like to sum up my Top 5 Moments of 2016, which shaped the cricketing world, and will be remembered for atleast a few years to come, as we look down the memory lane.
Well written ��
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ReplyDeleteHow come no bowling performances find mention?
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