Cricket is predominantly played between nations more often than any other sport. Hence, the emotional angle in terms of national rivalries is a lot more apparent. Cricket saw massive growth in the international arena with teams like Afghanistan, Bangladesh making giant strides. The sport went truly global with ICC granting T20I status to all 104 member countries.
ICC also concentrated on global events that keep the players motivated. The introduction of the World Test Championship and World Cup Super League have added more context to the bilateral series. The biggest success story is the revival of competitiveness of 50-over World Cups after a below-par edition of 2007.
The decade added a new angle for the sport with the enormous growth of franchise T20 cricket. Leagues like the Indian Premier League and Carribean Premier League have expanded the fan base. Few franchises have an extraordinary fan following. The rivalries in it have transformed the emotion to the fans as well.
The decade saw some enthralling action both in the International and franchise arena. Although there were lots of emotional moments, here we have a look at five of the most impactful ones.
#5 West Indies miraculous win of World T20 in 2016
West Indies came into the tournament with controversies surrounding them. When the squad was announced, Sunil Narine was serving a suspension handed to him by the ICC. A feud with the cricket board had reduced the communication between the players and the administrators.
Keeping everything aside, the West Indies players played brilliantly to win their second T20 title. After winning the first three games comfortably, West Indies suffered a shock defeat to Afghanistan. In the semi-finals, Lendl Simmons and Andre Russel’s assault knocked the home team India out of the tournament.
The final was a roller coaster ride with England reeling at 23-3. Joe Root and Jos Buttler’s knocks helped them post a decent score of 155. West Indies had a similar start, losing three wickets with 11 runs on board. However, Marlon Samuels held one end to keep them in the contest.
With 19 required off the last over, Carlos Brathwaite stepped up to smash four sixes off Ben Stokes’ final over to trigger wild celebrations in the West Indies camp. The celebration by the players and speech by captain Darren Sammy went on to describe how much the win meant for them as a side, a stamp of proof that they were capable of stitching together impressive performances as a unit.
The words of Ian Bishop in “Remember the name” will eternally stay in the memory of the fans.
#4 Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test
It’s safe to say that Sachin Tendulkar is one of the most loved cricketers all over the country. Especially in India, he instilled confidence in cricket fans as long as he was at the crease, a win was never too far away. The Master Blaster continued to dominate till the day he hung his boots.
For his last Test match for India, the BCCI accepted his request to host it at his home ground in Mumbai. Sachin’s mother made her maiden visit to a stadium to watch him play, tributes poured in from all parts of the country. His final Test innings was a joy to watch. As always, his shots, in particular, the cut shots were impeccable.
He walked in to bat with a guard of honour and walked out with a thunderous standing ovation. After India wrapped up the victory, the Indian team gave him a running guard of honor, and as he was walked through it, the emotions visibly started to sink in.
Then came a soul-stirring farewell speech in which Sachin mentioned his family, friends, fans, fellow players, and even ground staff. Chants of “Sachin, Sachin” roared around the Wankhede stadium.
#3 South Africa’s teary exit from 2015 World Cup
Since South Africa’s readmission in 1992, they had lost all their knock-out games leading up to the 2015 World Cup. It was in the 2015 edition that they won their first-ever knock-out game by beating Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals.
A strong South African team faced an aggressive New Zealand set-up in the semi-finals in Auckland. It was a redemption match for South Africa after losing the quarter-final to the Kiwis in the 2011 WC. Batting first, the experienced duo of Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers led the way for South Africa with the bat in hand.
Just as they were about to switch gears, rain arrived and after a break, David Miller’s 18-ball 49 took the total to 281 in 43 overs. Chasing a DLS score of 298, Brendon McCullum got off a brilliant start, scoring 59 off 26 balls.
Despite losing wickets, Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott kept the Kiwis in the game. The proteas were soon under the pump, as a result of which they also missed four run-out opportunities and dropped two catches.
With NZ having managed to drag the game till the final over, with five needed off two balls, Dale Steyn bowled a length ball and Grant Elliott smashed a six over the long-on fence to smash all hopes of a win for South Africa.
The loss left quite an impact on all the South African players as they were left teary-eyed, most of them shell-shocked at yet another failed chance of making a World Cup final.
#2 India’s World Cup triumph after 28 years
Cricket gets its biggest following from the Indian sub-continent. That region hosted the 50-over World Cup in 2011. The 10th edition of the WC was a competitive one than the Australian-dominated previous ones.
With the pressure of a billion people, co-hosts India won the World Cup beating Sri Lanka in the final. MS Dhoni’s men knocked-out the three-time defending champions Australia in the quarter-finals. With a spot in the finals at stake, India took on arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-finals.
Celebrities, diplomats, and bureaucrats from both the nations turned up at Mohali. The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan were invited to watch the match at the stadium. Sachin Tendulkar’s 85 helped India progress to the finals.
In the finals, chasing 275 to win the World Cup, India lost their openers for 31. Gautam Gambhir played a magnificent inning that anchored the chase. Dhoni played a captain’s knock and sealed the WC with a six.
The emotions that followed showed how much the cup meant for them. The joy in carrying their demigod Sachin on the shoulders and going around the Wankhede stadium was over the moon.
#1 Demise of Phil Hughes
Sports is one field where the occurrence of an unfortunate incident is rare. But when it happens, it leaves behind an unbearable scar. One such incident in the decade was the death of Phil Hughes in 2014.
Hailed as a child prodigy, Hughes was destined to succeed at the International level. His friend and then Australian captain Michael Clarke predicted him to play 100 Tests for Australia. The left-hander was eyeing a comeback into the Test team for the series against India.
In a Sheffield Shield game between South Australia and New South Wales, Hughes was batting on 63*. He was struck on the upper left side of his neck by a Sean Abbott bouncer as he collapsed face-first. Unfortunately, his helmet didn’t have a neck guard, which could have reduced the impact of the ball. He was given immediate medical attention at St.Vincent’s hospital. He underwent emergency surgery to keep him in an induced coma.
It was not enough as he passed away just three days before his 26th birthday. Cricketing fraternity paid tributes by keeping their bats out and sharing a picture in their social media accounts. Australians wore Hughes’ Test cap No 408 on their playing shirts as a tribute to him for the Test match against India. Both teams and spectators gave 63-second applause, as a tribute to his final score of 63*.
Cricket Australia retired Hughes’ ODI shirt number 64 as a mark of respect. His teammates have been pouring in tributes every year during his death anniversary. Matthew Wade has made a tattoo of Hughes’ image on his forearm to honor his memory.
Such is the lasting memory of him as it changed the way cricket was played, with bowlers showing a reluctance to bowl bouncers. A lot of emphases went on to redesign the helmets. Umpires started wearing helmets and other protective gear. In 2019, ICC introduced a concept of concussion substitutes.
In the last six years, Hughes comes into the memory, the moment someone gets hit by a cricket ball. Peter Lalor, who co-authored the biography of Hughes, gave the perfect summary of the events. He quoted, “It was the hardest time the game’s ever faced on an emotional level for sure.”
0 votes
