Being a 90s kids, I can assure you that many major breakthroughs in your life have revolved around some epic cricketing memory. For example, the World Cup 2003 match between India & Pakistan happened when I had a Mathematics exam the very next day. Although I do not remember how much I had scored in the exam but I simply cannot forget how Sachin mesmerized us with his 98 off 75 balls.
Since, its Valentine’s day so BalleBaazi, one of the best fantasy sports app in India is here to give you top 10 moments in Cricket that made us fall in love with the game:
- Sachin’s Desert Storm 1998, Sharjah
The famous innings of the great Sachin Tendulkar that actually made him a living legend. Australia were an overpowering side back in the days and India were struggling to find a place in the finals. Sachin made a valiant 143 and took India over the line helping them qualify for the finals. Steve Waugh & co thought this was it, Sachin couldn’t do better. But little did they see what was coming. Sachin came back in the finals like a storm and made 134, an innings because of which Shane Warne still goes through sleepless nights.
- Ganguly-Dravid 318 run stand 1999, Taunton
Sri Lanka were entering into the 1999 World Cup series as defending Champions. Little did they know what was about to hit them in the form of soon-to-be-Captain Sourav Ganguly and his allied partner Rahul Dravid. Both youngsters hit their individual centuries, in which Dada scored his career best 183 and Rahul Dravid scored 145 taking the Lankan Lions by storm. The partnership was a record breaker as it reached 318 and India amassed a mammoth score of 373/6 resulting in a 157 run loss for the defending champions.
- Sachin’s 98(75) against Pakistan 2003, Centurion
One of the best innings in a World Cup game ever to have been observed by the cricketing spectacle was Sachin’s iconic 98 against Pakistan. Right before the match, Shoaib Akhtar had claimed that he won’t let Sachin Tendulkar settle in during the game. Sachin, who was in sublime touch during the tournament came on to the crease and welcomed Akhtar with a flourishing six over the square side of the wicket. Centurion erupted with joy as India cruised to victory after Sachin got unfortunately dismissed at 98 thanks to a good finish by Mr. Dependable Dravid & Mohd. Kaif.
- MS Dhoni’s 183* against Sri Lanka, Jaipur
183 is that magical figure that 3 very successful Indian Captains have reached before attaining Captaincy. Yes, it was the afternoon in Jaipur when Sri Lanka had cruised over to make a huge total of 298 runs thanks to Sangakkara’s 138 & Jayawardene’s 71. India, in reply did not have a great start losing Tendulkar at the team’s score of 6. In came MSD, and “Maahi Ne Dhaaga Khol Diya”. Yes, it was that kind of an innings when MS completely dominated the Lankan bowling line up and single-handedly took India over the line as we made 303/4 with 20 balls to spare. A Champion was born!
- Yuvraj Singh’s 6 sixes, Durban
Does not matter if you’ve got the 6 sixes saved on your smartphone, your laptop or your VCR. If there are highlights of India vs England T20 World Cup 2007 match being aired, you just got to watch it! Those flamboyant sixes of Yuvi Paa to the poor Stuart Broad will be remembered as one of the golden moments of Indian Cricket. Andrew Flintoff had sledged Yuvi right before the six 6s happened, an act he regrets till today! 4 sixes on the leg side and 2 on the off-side as the southpaw was clearing his front leg on every ball are moments that make us fall in love with both Cricket and Yuvi Paa.
- Rohit Sharma 264 against Sri Lanka, Kolkata
He had already done it in the past just one year ago until 2014, Sri Lanka was up against the Hitman at his favorite ground Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Rohit smashed every ball coming on to him and scored a huge 264 not out by the end of 50 overs. He was on the pitch for all 50 overs and remained unbeaten giving India a total of 404/5. A total, the Lankan Lions would have chased only in their dreams. 3 years from then, Sharma came up with 208* against the same opponent at Mohali this time. Another one coming soon, Hitman?
- Virat Kohli 24 runs off Malinga, Hobart
A star bowler up against an emerging player in World Cricket. It was the CB triangular series and Sri Lanka had posted 350+ on the board. On the crease, was chase master Kohli with only one century under his belt. Malinga had got the ball and on the first ball Virat took a double, the next one was smashed for a huge six over mid wicket and the last 4 deliveries were bulleted away for 4s. An over that made Virat Kohli a force to reckon with! Malinga, at the time was one of the top bowlers that the Lankan side boasted of until this day when Kohli completely squared him up all-ends. India won the match and a chase master was born.
- MS Dhoni finishes 2011 World Cup in Style, Mumbai
Ravi Shastri’s commentary, the iconic World Cup six and the stylish follow through by Mahi in slow motion has been looped over a thousand times by every cricket fan in the world. A moment that gives tears of joy and goosebumps until today when India won the World Cup after 28 years at their home in Wankhede, Mumbai. The crowd and the nation erupted. The day when India fell in love with cricket yet again.
- Sachin’s Retirement Speech, Mumbai
Cricket is an emotion, and the legends that have graced the game have made it immortal! One such legend is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Back in November 2014, when Darren Sammy took Sachin’s catch in his final innings, he just could not celebrate because he knew he was instrumental in the ending of an era in international cricket. After the match, Sachin was given the microphone by Ravi Shastri and the next 15 minutes forced 1.3 billion people all over the country to shed their tears they had held back all these years. The moment had come for the great man to take the final walk of the 22 yards. ‘Sachin-Sachin will always echo in my ears till my last breath!’, were the words of the great man in his speech. Indeed, “Sachin! Sachin!”
- Yuvraj Singh makes 150 on comeback, Cuttack
After being diagnosed with lung cancer right after the iconic 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh underwent treatment and came back like a Champion. In the year 2017, he was up against England with the likes of Woakes and Ben Stokes in the bowling attack. Along with MS Dhoni (134), Yuvi smashed his career best of 150 in only 127 balls and announced to the cricketing world, that he had arrived and he was back with a bang. This innings was both emotional and legendary as it broke records and erupted the true emotions of the Indian Cricket fan.
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