In the glamorous individual heroics of cricketers that steer the game away from the opposition, we tend to overlook crucial cameos which are being chipped under extraordinarily trying circumstances. It is like being a direct side-kick to the hero like the one of Robin to a Batman. That probably doesn’t save the day but if we detract the importance of such an innings, the hero would have never shone in the first place.
We will look at five unnoticed knocks, rather what we call as underrated ones by Indians in ICC events. Though the hero stood alone, this secondary display of brilliance helped the team to wring themselves out of an ineluctable quagmire.
1. Suresh Raina versus Australia, ICC World Cup 2011 Quarter-final
Chasing an imperative total of 260, India started reeling at 187 for 5 as Dhoni holed out to Clark in poor fashion, striking a major blow to the Indian aspirations.
Raina walked in to team up with Yuvraj Singh who was steadying himself at the moment and had a mountain to climb. With this being the last recognized batting pair, Australia’s primary target was Suresh Raina as they were all aware of his vulnerability for short balls.
However, weathering all those nasty deliveries at his rib cage, Raina played an extremely effusive knock that stood anchor to that monumental inning from Yuvraj under the cosh.
The duo stitched a 74-run-stand between themselves to seal a crucial victory for the Indians that sent them hammer and tongs to the semi-finals of the World Cup and the crowd erupted in frenzied elations.Raina stayed unbeaten with Yuvraj Singh on 34 from 28 deliveries which comprised 2 fours and a six.
2. Virat Kohli versus England, ICC Champions Trophy 2013 final
This was a priceless knock from India’s priceless gem, Virat Kohli. Standing tall amidst the rubble of ruins, Kohli took the English bowlers head under extremely trying circumstances. After being put to bat first in a rain-dampened match reduced to 20 overs per side, India’s batting fell like a landslide in front of the mighty English bowling.
As Broad, Bopara and Tredwell kept on hitting the right chords at the right time, India’s fall of wickets became too regular and Kohli was India’s last glimmer of hope in batting.
Indifferent to the surroundings, Kohli kept on belting out one exquisite strike after the other, as he helped India to claw out of what seemed like an inescapable quicksand. He finally got out for 43 from 34 deliveries, holing out to Ravi Bopara. India’s 129 was only possible because of Kohli’s imperious dominance.
3. Yuvraj Singh versus Pakistan, ICC World Cup 2003, League game
When the situations weren’t that favourable for batsmen, 277 was a monumental total to chase. Pakistan batting first did a commendable job and posted 277 on the cards riding on a brilliant century from Saeed Anwar.
India was off to a flyer as Sehwag and Tendulkar traded Akram, Younis and Shoaib Akhtar for staggering boundaries. However, they were grounded shortly as Waqar removed Sehwag and Ganguly in quick succession. Despite an imperative stand, Kaif and Tendulkar had to go when India was stationed at 177 and they still had more than 101 runs to win.
It fell on the shoulders of a young Yuvraj Singh who came out in absolutely flying colours, joining forces with Rahul Dravid to bail India out of the jeopardy. He stayed unbeaten on 50 from 53 deliveries that comprised 6 boundaries and India went on to win the most crucial encounter of the tournament by 6 wickets.
4. Rohit Sharma versus Pakistan, ICC T-20 World Cup 2007, final
This was a World Cup-winning knock from India’s finest, Rohit Sharma. As India wobbled in the final, not really able to dissect Umar Gul and Tanvir’s bowling in the initial stages, it was late pyrotechnics from Rohit Sharma that gave them a competitive total to defend.
With Dhoni castled for cheap, India was reeling at 111 for 4 from 15.2 overs and to make matters worse, Gambhir walked back to the pavilion too in no time. Rohit chose to free his arms and what followed left Pakistan stumped out of their wits.
Sharma chronicled 30 off 16 deliveries, smashing 2 fours and a six but made sure that his running between the wickets was top-notch.
5. Virat Kohli versus Sri Lanka, ICC World Cup 2011, final
Dhoni and Gambhir played titanic knocks to take India crosses the winning line in what seemed to be one of the best One Day international victories in India’s cricketing history. However, the man who played an imperative role in steadying India’s ship was none other than a young lad who has now evolved into India’s best batsman, Virat Kohli.
With Sachin and Sehwag showed the exit in very short succession, India needed someone to pin their hopes on. Gambhir showed signs of promise but it was Kohli who played a brilliant knock under fire as it through Kohli and Gambhir’s partnership that India managed to claw back out of the darkness.
Kohli only managed to register 35 runs from 49 deliveries, however, it was a part of an imperative 83 runs stand that set the platform for Dhoni and Gambhir’s monumental heroics.
