Being an Indian, obviously there’s a huge probability of me being a cricket fan- or even better- cricket devotee. Well that’s very much genetic. My first acquaintance with cricket was the 1996 Wills World Cup. Those were the days I struggled to understand LBW or Stumpings. But still it was fun to watch and play. That was the era when Australia’ domination in cricket had just begun. Those were the days when the post-apartheid South Africa started choking at crucial moments. These were the times when Sri Lanka was a new star in cricketing world. And that was the epoch when Indian Cricket Team meant only one thing: Sachin!!!
As I look back to my childhood, I can relate it with the cricketing history of India. My generation has seen the rise of Indian cricket from chasm to climax. We have seen the rise of Dada, The Wall, Sehwag, Yuvi, MSD and Kohli. We have seen the passing of the legacies: Azhar to VVS in wristwork, Kumble to Ashwin in Topspinners, Sehwag to Dhawan in explosive openings, Srinath to Bhuvaneshwar (via Zaheer) in cutters. While summarizing the paradigm shift in Indian cricket, few moments come into my mind. I’m fortunate enough to find some pictures to revisit these memories. I consider these moments as the ten most defining moments of our times.
(Almost all the pics here are relating to batting. That shows how batting dominates the scene. Even today, its more of “Batting me Jalwa and Bowling me Halwa” for Indian team… :-))
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The moment-1983.
Well, this is the reference point for me. No need to describe this one. 25th June 1983: India wins the World Cup.
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The tearful exit.
Sri Lanka 251/8. India 120/8 in 34.1 overs. The team fumbles from 98/1 to 120/8 after Sachin gets out, which was quite usual those days. Eden Garden is seriously infuriated by this collapse. The crowd vents the disgust by setting fire in some parts of the stands and throwing some items on ground. The match is awarded to SL, who march to Finals. (Quite similar to Germany routing Brasil in 2014 FIFA WC). Vinod Kambli, like the Indian supporters is unable to hold back his feelings.
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The desert storm.
Its Sharjah. The April of 1998. Australia seem to be in a great position to win the Pepsi Cup. But one man has other plans: Sachin Tendulkar! He hits 143 in league match to help India qualify for finals and then on his 25th birthday, gifts himself and his team a brilliant 134 leading India to win the Finale and take home Pepsi Cup. This is the same series in which Shane Warne admitted his ‘Sachin Nightmares’. The last league match mentioned above also saw the desert storm in the stadium when all other players and umpires were searching for cover but SRT stood firm amidst the firm. No metaphor can describe the resolve and character of this little master better than this incident!!
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The VVS-Wall show.
Kolkata. 2001. Aussies, who are on a 16 match winning streak, are leading the series 1-0. In second match too, they lead India by 274 runs after first innings. Well, the series seems sealed in Australia’s favour. But VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid put on a mammoth 376 to set up a stiff target for the Kangaroos. Turbanator continues his dream run to get Aussies bowled 171 runs short of target. History is created.
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The broken jaw.
One of the most respected cricketer from India- Anil Kumble- further increases his reputation by bowling with a fractured mandible bone. He leads his team’s quest for victory against the Caribbeans on their home ground with his dedication and commitment. And to make it even more commendable, he picks up Brian Lara’s wicket too!
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The flying chase and the flying shirt.
2002 Natwest series final on Lords. Nasser Hussain leads England to 325. India slide to 146/5 after a fantastic start by skipper Ganguly. Not many spectators hoping for India to win. Two young men viz. Yuvraj and Kaif add 121 in no time. Kaif continues with the tail-enders and dives on the third ball of the final over to make it 326/8. India win. Celebrations start on the field. But ohh… There’s something going in the Lords balcony too! Aw mannn… That’s Saurav Ganguly taking off his shirt and flying it frantically in the air. An answer to Flintoff’s shirtless celebration in India earlier. A gesture full of aggression from a captain who taught Indian cricket team to play aggressively!!
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The era of T20.
Its 2007 monsoon. People are skeptical about this T20 thing. This won’t be a success in India, many feel. There is a gloom after 2007 World Cup debacle. Plus Sachin, Saurav, Rahul decide to skip T20 World cup. Young MS Dhoni is given the reins. Still people aren’t upbeat about the tournament. In the first match played, India tie with Pakistan and win in the shootout. One fine evening, Yuvi hits 6 sixes in an over. Then India defeats mighty Kangaroos. And in a dream finale, India win the heart-throbbing and nail-biting contest with arch rival Pakistan to lift the trophy. This is new age cricket. This is new age Indian team!!
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The newfound aggression.
The youngsters are now knocking doors. They have a different cricketing culture as compared to their seniors. They are aggressive, with rush of young blood. They run hard between the wickets. They dive around like its routine. They respond rough talk from opposition by hitting six sixes in an over. They answer bowler’s sledging by looking into his eyes before hitting his ball out of the field. They don’t get pressurized even if the target is 350 of 50 overs. This is the generation of non-conformists. For instance: Yuvi’s cameo versus Australia in 2011 World Cup quarter final or Virat’s annihilation of Sri Lanka when India chased down 320 in 40 overs.
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The moment of glory.
Expressions and Impressions 