Harsh Thakor
First Class Star
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2012
- Runs
- 3,519
- Post of the Week
- 2
Today at Adelaide more than Australia winning or India losing test test cricket won a moral victory.It proved that test cricket is the ultimate form of the game with more fluctuating change of fortunes than any form of cricket.
Today chasing a stiff target of 363 runs India made one of test cricket's bravest attempts or most spited challenges reminding you of a brave military batallion coming to the doorsteps of victory against all the odds.Infact at one stage with Murli Vijay on 99 India seemed to be coasting home to a famous win and again when Jayanta Saha struck some big blows to take India within 64 runs of the target.I would rank the Murli Vijay-Virat Kohli stan as one of the best ever in a 4th innings runchase if you evaluate the composure of the batsmen and strokeplay.Virat Kohli's knock may rank amongst the best ever in a4th innings run chase and arguably amongst the top 5 ever in a run chase in a losing cause.I will never forget the range of strokes Virat executed all around the wicket which included some of the most audacious drives.It was one of the best batting exhibitions against the turning ball.Above all I give all the credit to Virat for playing for a victory throughout the day and never playing for a draw.Although India lost Kohli's approach won a victory for the game of test cricket.Today we witnessed the twists and turns of a Hollywood classic with a most unexpected climax .At one stage at tea only 2 results seemed possible-an Indian win or a draw.A sudden flurry of wickets brought Australia back but it was only after Kohli's dismissal that the Aussies come back well and truly in the game.What brought the reversal of fortunes for the Aussies who were almost dead and buried was their fighting mental never say die attitude.India truly missed Dhoni who would almost certainly have taken India to victory.Kohli simply ran out of partners with no batsmen apart from Muli Vijay playing a supporting role.Even with Ashwin batting India could have crossed the line.To me it was one of India's top 5 performances of all in a losing cause.Full credit to India for coming back so spectacularly after a disastrous tour of England against a team that is arguably the best in the world on fast,bouncy,tracks.It vanquished England last summer and beat South Africa 2-1 on their soil earlier this year.True,the conditions were conducive to India where there was turn and hardly sufficient pace and bounce for seamers.The spirit of Indian cricket ressurected itself in this game.If any team deserved to win it was India.
Today I got memories of India's famous run chase of 493 runs on the very same ground in 1977-78 when by coincidence India again lost by a margin of 48 runs.It was the highest losing 4th innings total ever which stands as a record till today.At one stahe at 415-6 India looked like pulling off the impossible.At the Oval in 1979 India seemed coasting home to achieve a record 4th innings winning total of 438 runs before blunderous umpiring decisions cost India a famous victory.Had India won today it would have been one of India's greatest overseas wins ever if you ***** the conditions.9 out of 10 teams would not have achieved the victory target today and in the 1970's ,80's or 90's I doubt any team would have played for anything but a draw.The game today proved the evolution of test cricket.
I will remember this game for the brilliant exhibition of spin bowling by Nathon Lyon and the batting of Warner and Kohli.However above all it ressurected the spirit of the game after the tragic death of Phillip Hughes which took the morale of the cricket world to the rock-bottom.The mental approcah of both India and Australia won the day for the game.
Today chasing a stiff target of 363 runs India made one of test cricket's bravest attempts or most spited challenges reminding you of a brave military batallion coming to the doorsteps of victory against all the odds.Infact at one stage with Murli Vijay on 99 India seemed to be coasting home to a famous win and again when Jayanta Saha struck some big blows to take India within 64 runs of the target.I would rank the Murli Vijay-Virat Kohli stan as one of the best ever in a 4th innings runchase if you evaluate the composure of the batsmen and strokeplay.Virat Kohli's knock may rank amongst the best ever in a4th innings run chase and arguably amongst the top 5 ever in a run chase in a losing cause.I will never forget the range of strokes Virat executed all around the wicket which included some of the most audacious drives.It was one of the best batting exhibitions against the turning ball.Above all I give all the credit to Virat for playing for a victory throughout the day and never playing for a draw.Although India lost Kohli's approach won a victory for the game of test cricket.Today we witnessed the twists and turns of a Hollywood classic with a most unexpected climax .At one stage at tea only 2 results seemed possible-an Indian win or a draw.A sudden flurry of wickets brought Australia back but it was only after Kohli's dismissal that the Aussies come back well and truly in the game.What brought the reversal of fortunes for the Aussies who were almost dead and buried was their fighting mental never say die attitude.India truly missed Dhoni who would almost certainly have taken India to victory.Kohli simply ran out of partners with no batsmen apart from Muli Vijay playing a supporting role.Even with Ashwin batting India could have crossed the line.To me it was one of India's top 5 performances of all in a losing cause.Full credit to India for coming back so spectacularly after a disastrous tour of England against a team that is arguably the best in the world on fast,bouncy,tracks.It vanquished England last summer and beat South Africa 2-1 on their soil earlier this year.True,the conditions were conducive to India where there was turn and hardly sufficient pace and bounce for seamers.The spirit of Indian cricket ressurected itself in this game.If any team deserved to win it was India.
Today I got memories of India's famous run chase of 493 runs on the very same ground in 1977-78 when by coincidence India again lost by a margin of 48 runs.It was the highest losing 4th innings total ever which stands as a record till today.At one stahe at 415-6 India looked like pulling off the impossible.At the Oval in 1979 India seemed coasting home to achieve a record 4th innings winning total of 438 runs before blunderous umpiring decisions cost India a famous victory.Had India won today it would have been one of India's greatest overseas wins ever if you ***** the conditions.9 out of 10 teams would not have achieved the victory target today and in the 1970's ,80's or 90's I doubt any team would have played for anything but a draw.The game today proved the evolution of test cricket.
I will remember this game for the brilliant exhibition of spin bowling by Nathon Lyon and the batting of Warner and Kohli.However above all it ressurected the spirit of the game after the tragic death of Phillip Hughes which took the morale of the cricket world to the rock-bottom.The mental approcah of both India and Australia won the day for the game.