10 Incidents That Changed Indian Cricket

Cricket and Indians has been a story of obsession. In this country of billions, cricket has found a sweet corner in almost everybody’s heart. We as spectators have worshipped this game and its players. But was this the case always? Were we always so maniac about this game?

And the answer is NO.

Let me take you on a time machine riding through and learning about all those milestones that had their part in making India cricket’s greatest lover.

1)First Test Match win:

Though the Indian cricket team had set foot on the game on 25 June 1932 but we had to wait almost 20 years to make our mark on the biggest stage. It was on a pleasant winter morning in 1952 when India bowled out England at Chennai (then Madras) for a paltry 183 to win by an innings and 8 runs. This win symbolised the readiness of India to compete at the highest level.

2)First away Test series win:

It was an ageing side led by Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi that toured the New-Zealand in 1967. Fighting against swing and bounce that team clinched the series 3-1 with Pataudi being the architect. A series win in foreign conditions meant this side was ready to face the world arm against arm.

3)The Prudential Cup 1983:

India went into the 1983 World Cup as underdogs with only one win under their belt in the last two editions. In a virtual quarter final against Zimbabwe, India were reeling at 17-5 at one stage. The heroics of Kapil Dev in that match exhilarated India to not only qualify for the Finals but defeat the likes of England and West-Indies to lift the cup. The picture of Kapil Dev holding the cup in the balcony of Lord’s inspired a whole generation to take up cricket as profession.

4)Benson & Hedges World Championship 1985:

With a World Cup in their cabinet, India went into the championship trying to prove that the ’83 World Cup win wasn’t a fluke. A young Ravi Shastri played the pied piper in a tournament where India came second to none. As the team rode the hard earned Audi at the MCG after the finals, Indian cricket swiftly changed gears to welcome young talents with open arms.

5)World Cup Semi-Final 1996:

India, the co-host of 1996 CWC, were cruising along their way to the title when an abrupt end to the semi-final with Sri-Lanka winning by crowd disturbance and some very casual batting by India saw a grimy side of players accusing each other of sins as dreadful as match fixing that even saw the end of some very promising carriers.

6)Kolkata Test Match 2001:

1-0 down in the series, India went to Kolkata only to find themselves trailing by 274 runs following on. But the 4^th day of the match saw a turn in fortunes where Dravid and Laxman batted a whole day leaving the mighty Australians ardent for wickets. In only the third of its kind, India rewrote the pages of history by defeating Australia after being forced to follow on.

7)Natwest trophy 2002:

Sourav Ganguly twirling his jersey on the Lord’s balcony is one of the sights defining Indian cricket. His aggression and never give up attitude stimulated a young side to chase down a mammoth 326 in the final with the help of U19 heroes Kaif’s and Yuvraj’s coming of age innings. This series was the onset of the golden era of Indian cricket with Dada leading the troops.

8)World T20 2007:

India went into the t20 World Cup scarred by the atrocious results of the 50-over cup. It was the first of many geniuses the world saw of the small town boy MS Dhoni when he with the help of some herculean performances by Yuvraj singh led a very young coach less side to the title. The cup changed the outlook of Indians towards T20.

9)The Indian Premier League:

The IPL witnessed the union of two of the best things in India – Cricket and Bollywood. The commencement of IPL was marked by one of the best T20 innings by Brendon McCullum (158^* of 73). It was the perfect start the best T20 league in the world could have wished for. IPL in years to come encouraged an entire generation to take up cricket by providing the fame and money they longed for.

10)2011 World Cup:

India were the co-host of the 2011 CWC and our demi-god Sachin was playing the last of his 6 World Cups. India were deemed favourites and they played like it. Subduing teams like Australia, Pakistan and Sri-Lanka, India went on to clinch their 2^nd World Cup, bidding Sachin the perfect adieu. The picture of Captain cool MS Dhoni sealing it with a six has been etched in every Indian’s heart.