Five most pleasing moments from India’s history in the ODI World Cup
The most awaited sporting event of 2019 is less than a week away. 10 teams will fight it out in England and Wales to become the ODI champions of the world and seal a place in history books. As the Men in Blue begin their quest to a third World Cup trophy, here we take a look at India’s best moments from the previous World Cup editions, which have stood the test of time.
The Taunton Run-Fest vs Sri Lanka in 1999
If you had to mention one innings that proved Rahul Dravid was not an oddball in the ODI setup, it would be his partnership with Sourav Ganguly vs Sri Lanka in the World Cup of 1999.
Put in to bat by Arjuna Ranatunga, India lost Sadagoppan Ramesh for five runs in the very first over. The Sri Lankan captain’s decision to bowl first seemed justified, but for not longer than Ramesh and Dravid’s intersection during their walks to and from the pavilion. Dravid registered his second successive century, ending his masterful innings at 145 runs off 129 balls (17 fours and one six). Ganguly, on the other hand, scored a 145-ball 183, racing to his last 83 runs off only 39 balls. Sri Lanka’s best bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan too could stem the flow of runs.
The pair created a slew of records during their rampage. Their partnership of 318 in 45 overs was the highest in ODI history at the time, while Ganguly’s individual knock still remains the second best in World Cup history.
Up against a target of 374, Sri Lanka could master only 216 runs and lost the game by 157 runs. Although Ganguly won the Man of the Match award, it was Dravid who won hearts. A man widely dubbed as a red-ball specialist at the time had played a crucial role in India’s ODI victory.
When Ashish Nehra went bananas in 2003
It was the all-important India vs England clash in Durban, when India were sweating over the availability of their pace spearhead Ashish Nehra. But much to everyone’s surprise, the fast-bowler turned up for the game despite a swollen ankle.
In India’s defence of only 250 runs, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath had done considerable damage early only in the second innings, reducing England to 28 for 2 after 12 overs. What unfolded after that was a spell which will remain etched in the history books forever.
Nehra was introduced into the attack in the 13th over, and despite a swollen ankle, he bowled his full quota of ten overs in one go! The seamer ended with dream figures of 6 for 23, which is the best performance by an Indian bowler in a World Cup game. Nehra’s express pace, combined with immaculate line and length, was the biggest talking point of that edition.
Nehra gobbled up a banana mid-spell, but threw it up soon later. Despite being unwell, he refused to break his spell.
Sachin Tendulkar’s tribute to his late father in 1999
In the 1999 edition, India were beaten in their first game of the season against South Africa and on the eve of the second game against Zimbabwe, Sachin Tendulkar was faced with the news of his father’s sudden demise. India suffered an embarrassing defeat against Zimbabwe as Tendulkar missed the clash to attend his father’s funeral in India. However, he flew back in time to play the third game against Kenya, and as if to pay a perfect tribute to his late father, Sachin crafted an unbeaten 140 off 101 balls which helped India pile up and defend a target of 329 runs and continue to have a life in the tournament.
Writing in his autobiography, Tendulkar recalled, “Though I managed to score a hundred in the match against Kenya — which remains one of my most cherished centuries, one I dedicated to my father — my mind was not always on the game.”
Yuvraj Singh’s courage in 2011
India’s last international assignment before the 2011 World Cup was the tour of South Africa. Yuvraj Singh had revealed in an interview that he had coughed blood on the tour, and that he had been feeling unwell throughout.
Taking a risk with his health, Yuvraj prioritized the country and played the World Cup. Throughout his campaign, the all-rounder had been feeling uneasy, but did not let that affect his performances.
Before the group match against West Indies, Yuvraj vomited blood and threw up his food. On the match day, his body language showed enough hints of him being physically unwell, which prompted umpire Simon Taufel to confirm with Yuvraj if he wanted to leave the ground or continue playing. In his reply, the southpaw had said, “You can take me to the hospital if I fall or collapse, until then, I am staying.”
What followed was a knock of 113 runs, two crucial wickets and a Man-of-the-Match award. Yuvraj was also won the Man-of-the-Tournament award for 362 runs – including one century and four fifties – and 15 wickets.
The rest is history. A month after India’s 28-year-wait to lift the World Cup ended, Yuvraj was diagnosed with a tumour in his lungs.
MS Dhoni’s world-cup winning six in 2011
On the night of April 2, 2011, India’s painful wait of 28 years came to an end when they lifted the ICC World Cup trophy for the second time. The victory was made even more special by captain MS Dhoni, who finished the chase with style, hitting a match-winning six which became the biggest highlight of his glorious career.
“Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!” screamed Ravi Shastri from the commentary box as Dhoni hit ‘that’ six.
After smashing the ball hard, Dhoni held his pose until the ball reached the stands, while Yuvraj from the other end had started celebrating already. That picturesque scene is now a poster in almost all stadiums in India.
While Dhoni remained unbeaten on 91, it is imperative to mention that Gautam Gambhir had helped India recover from a spot of bother early on in the innings, playing a crucial knock of 97 runs.
