south africa

That Eventful Innings From AB de Villiers

May 28, 2018 Happenings

AB de Villiers surprised his fans and the world by announcing his retirement this week from all forms of the game, he was a masterclass on the field and a wonderful batsman to watch in any format of the game. The Proteas are going to miss a fine all-around performer from their side, but if I had to choose one from his several achievements, at this point, it would be his fastest ODI hundred against the West Indies in 2015. Eventually, in that ‘Pink ODI’ which saw records tumble, AB’s blitzkrieg performance of 149 came off just 44 balls, in the process, he had hit 16 sixes and 9 fours and had broken the record of the fastest 50 in an ODI in just 16 balls! Not to exaggerate, but it was a phenomenal knock and a definite high point of his career. Mind you, for de Villiers to break the record, it took him just 382 days since Corey Anderson had hit the fastest century in only 36 balls vs the West Indies in 2014.

Against the backdrop of AB’s untimely and surprising announcement on 23-May, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate one of his stupendous achievements with a ball-by-ball account of the 100 runs he scored off just 31-balls. To say that his knock was mind-numbing is a gross distortion of reality, he scored 92 runs in just boundaries smashing 8 fours and 10 sixes!

AB DE VILLIERS - FASTEST CENTURY IN 31 BALLS

India Is No.1 In ODI Rankings

February 14, 2018 Happenings

Close on the heels of a remarkable world cup campaign by the U-19s, India has now toppled South Africa to take the no.1 spot in the latest ICC ODI Championship rankings which happened after they beat the Proteas by 73 runs in the 5th ODI at Port Elizabeth on Feb-13. India is also the top-ranked team in test cricket today.

The Indians have outclassed the opposition in 9 consecutive ODI bilateral series and are on a roll in the shorter format of the game at this point. Under Kohli’s captaincy, this team has won their first ever bilateral ODI series against South Africa which they’re leading 4-1 with one more match to be played. In their current form, I would have to admit they’re my favourite team to win the 2019 World Cup to be held in England & Wales provided they’d have sorted out their middle-order batting woes by then. Ironically, their next ODI series is in July versus England and it’d be interesting to watch the spinners perform in English conditions.

Here’s a list of India’s successive ODI bilateral series Wins from June 2016 to present Feb 2018:

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  • Vs Zimbabwe – 3-0 in Zimbabwe
  • Vs New Zealand – 3-2 in India
  • Vs England – 2-1 in India
  • Vs West Indies – 3-1 in West Indies
  • Vs Sri Lanka – 5-0 in Sri Lanka
  • Vs Australia – 4-1 in India
  • Vs New Zealand – 2-1 in India
  • Vs Sri Lanka – 2-1 in India
  • Vs South Africa – 5-1 in South Africa (1 match to go)

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West Indies had the most consecutive bilateral series wins of 14 between May 1980 – March 1988 so I am hoping we continue to win more matches!

India 'Bowl Out' Pak

September 15, 2007 Happenings

ICC World Twenty20 LogoIndia and Pakistan never fail to entertain when they play each other. Be it Hockey or Cricket, their performances are keenly watched and scrutinized on both sides of the border. Yesterday’s match at the World Twenty 20 in Kingsmead, Durban (South Africa) proved to be a nail-biting event unlike all their previous encounters.

First, it looked like India would be bowled out within 15 overs as they were tottering at 36/4 after Mohammed Asif picked up four Indian wickets. However, the Indians managed 141 in their 20 overs thanks to some hard hitting by Robin Uthappa who scored 50. Then defending their modest score, the Indians were gaining some ground early before Agarkar gave away 17 runs in his penultimate over and the match went down to the wire with 1 run required of just 1 ball. Sreesanth then bowled the last over of the match superbly to end the Pakistan innings at 141/7 in their 20 overs and the match was tied — a first for any Twenty20 International. A ‘Bowl out’ method — much similar to the penalty shootouts in Hockey and Soccer — was applied for an outcome despite both teams already qualifying for the Super8s from Group D.

The rules were simple — each team nominates 5 bowlers to bowl at the stumps. The team with the majority hits wins. Sehwag, Bhajji and Uthappa made no mistake to help India win 3-0 and keep its winning record against in world playoffs against Pakistan intact. The young Indian side maintained a characteristically cool head till the last ball which helped them snatch victory from the Pakistanis. The sad reality of going into a big tournament without a regular coach hasn’t come to hassle the Indians and the way they performed yesterday it seems there’s no requirement for one at the moment if they keep winning consistently. Great performance surely and I hope they bring back the world cup and with it the glorious days of Indian cricket.

Last Frontier Conquered

December 19, 2006 Happenings

After the disastrous 4-0 one-day loss, India redeemed their lost glory on the cricket field in the first test match at the Wanderers which was won by 123 runs and completed in 3 and a half days by some superb display of grit and talent. When we made 249 in the first innings, one thought the score to be unsubstantial against the SA batting line-up. Until I received an SMS from a colleague who asked me to switch on the TV. A certain lad by the name of Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was running through the opposition with his seam bowling. Suddenly I saw the final score and rubbed my eyes in dismay – SA were bowled out for a paltry 84; their lowest score since readmission. In the second innings Zaheer Khan’s late outburst with the bat with VVS Laxman ensured that we had a decent target of 402 set for the springboks. Ashwell Prince seemed to be the only ray of hope in the playing eleven. South Africa was the only country where India had never won a test but all that’s changed now.

Let's 'pitch' for Cricket

November 28, 2006 Happenings

I am truly perturbed at seeing Indian cricket being strangled mercilessly by politicians and the media alike, at a time when it requires immediate attention and perhaps an admission in the “ICU”. Getting emotionally charged up by criticizing the team’s performance and vandalizing their houses would do more harm than good. The failure of this team must be attributed to some top players in the team who are playing below expectations. Especially our bowlers who have lost their charm and magic on the field – where’s the famous Irfan swing and what happened to Munaf’s pace?

But now comes a new chapter in the sad part of this story called Indian Cricket – Dravid, perhaps the sole light of hope in our dark moments, has been ruled out for the rest of the One Day series because of an injury and VVS Laxman is being flown down to South Africa to take his place. It must be true, that when you’re in a mind set that our team has settled in, seemingly easier tasks feel gargantuan plus there is no respite from the pressure back home that keeps building on you to perform. It’s a rather difficult situation to be in. Must I remind this team that they have been in a familiar situation in the past, in the 2003 world cup at South Africa. Soon after their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Aussies, they fought their way back to the final. Victory, as I see it has the ability to settle the dust of criticism and straightening out things assuredly making the road towards the future smooth and clear. Just few wins to get that much needed confidence back!

The Left parties in India have been vocal about the inclusion of Sourav Ganguly. Firstly, any attempt at portraying Sourav, who has been absent from the national team for a long time, as the savior of our times will only make him more vulnerable in performing for his team. On the other hand, the pitches in West Indies, where the world cup is held next year will suit his stroke playing potential more than then bouncier ones in South Africa. His role in the current team would have been marred since the “supporting cast” is currently performing miserably. I certainly hope that he is considered for the world cup squad. We will require all the help to get us out of this black hole. But we must start winning now and end the long drought.