The 28 year special syndrome!

28 years after Kapil Dev won the world cup in 1983, Mahendra Dhoni does the same in 2011.
And now 28 years after Kapil took India to victory in the Lords test in 1986, Dhoni follows the same path by taking India to a famous win in 2014.

Whether you are an average cricket fan or connoisseur or a cricketer toiling his sweat out in the field , nothing can beat the satisfaction and happiness of a compelling hard fought test victory and if it happens overseas it just makes it all the more sweeter and memorable and when it happens in the historic so called Mecca of cricket 'Lords' , it just makes the occasion more so very extra special and momentous.

Lord Sanga conquers Lords!

Another ton for Kumara Sangakkaara this time at the Mecca of cricket, Lords and he now equals Rahul Dravid with 36 test centuries.

The kind of distinguished records he possesses :
1)Fastest to 8000, 9000, 10000 and 11000 test runs.
2) Only player to make 4 consecutive scores of 150+ and only one to score 3 centuries in a row on 3 occasions.
3) Also the batsman to be involved in the highest ever partnership of 624 runs along with Mahela Jayawardene.
4) Easily the greatest southpaw since Brian Charles Lara and perhaps one of the greatest test players amongst those who made their debut only in the new millennium.

Lord Sanga - you truly are an all time Test Cricket Legend!

Memories of an amazing turnaround at Lords

This day, a decade ago on the 13th July 2002 India won a remarkable final against England in the Natwest Trophy at Lords. Coming into this championship clash, India had lost 9 finals consecutively and it looked like a similar script was about to unfold as the Englishmen posted a mammoth score of 325 batting first. The score looked too daunting and at that stage of time only once before was a total in excess of this was ever chased by a team to win a one day international. Considering the pressure of a big match final at the Home of cricket in addition to India's immensely meek predicament in recent finals, it certainly didn't lift the spirits one bit.

India however got off to a fine start with the openers Ganguly and Sehwag blazing their way to a rollicking stand of 100 within the first 15 overs. And then it all started caving apart with wickets being lost at regular intervals. It was virtually another tale of good riddance when Sachin Tendulkar was castled by Giles to leave India reeling at 146/5. This dismissal brought in two young future hopes of Indian cricket Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif to the crease. They had brought glory to India by being part of the victorious Under 19 world cup team. Frankly, not much was expected of these two except for a reasonable fight to simply ensure it doesn't yield towards an embarrassingly landslide defeat.

Slowly but steadily, from a precarious position where India were virtually under the cosh these young turks started ticking the runs off the scoreboard. The partnership started blossoming and these guns rose up to the occasion by playing the innings of their life to give India a semblance of hope. When Yuvi held out, it again looked like a 'yet so near yet so far story'. However his dismissal didn't hinder the momentum and India kept chalking in the runs with the lower order providing a stable ground to Kaif at the other end.

It came down to the last over of the innings with Zaheer on strike and 2 required off 4 deliveries. He got a touch off the bat off Flintoff and scampered his way to the other end to give his partner the strike. The throw from the fielder was however long enabling India to get the additional run and seal the win. It was a remarkable comeback considering the circumstance and it was beyond disbelief that India could really pull this one off. It was back then the 2nd highest chase in One Day Internationals.The match is also well remembered for Sourav Ganguly's shirt twirling act at the Lords Balcony. A truly unforgettable day in the annals of Indian Cricket History. Gives goosebumps even today watching and reminiscing that nostalgic day which took place on a sunny Sunday at the Home of Cricket.