5 knocks that severely affected the bowler's career
The cricketing world is replete with instances of batsmen mercilessly marauding the hapless bowlers throughout the park. In the process, cases of those devastating innings adversely impacting the career prospects of bowlers are also not that few.
Several bowlers had to pay dearly for being at the receiving end of the willow brandishing monsters.
In this endeavour, we take a look at five of the most famous innings, which virtually resulted in the end of a bowlers’ career.
#1 Sanath Jayasuriya ends Manoj Prabhakar’s career
The World Cup 1996 was highly anticipated to be India’s chance to reach the pinnacle again post the 1983 triumph. But, with India being slotted along with Sri Lanka, Australia and West Indies in Group A, going was tough in the group stages. After victories against Kenya and West indies and a narrow loss against mighty Aussies, a confident India elected to bat first in the encounter against Sri Lanka, the dark horse of the tournament.
Riding on Sachin’s fabulous 137 and Azhar’s wristy stroke filled 72, India went on to compile 271/3 in their stipulated 50 overs, a match winning score those days.
In reply, Sri Lanka was off to a rollicking start, with Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana hitting shots all over the park with disdain. Jayasuriya was particularly in his imperious best, hitting his favorite square cuts and pulls at will.
He was absolutely brutal on Manoj Prabhakar, senior India paceman. Such was the ruthlessness of the attack that Azhar was forced to cut short his first spell to 2 overs only. In the return spell too Sri Lanka scored 20 odd off his 2 overs. His final figures read 47/0 in 4 overs.
In the process, the platform was already set for a massive Sri Lankan win. With Ranatunga and Tillakaratne completing the formalities, Sri Lanka went to script a memorable win. The match is also remembered as the last one in the illustrious career of Prabhakar. Such ignominious was the assault on the allrounder that he could never really stake a claim in the Indian Team again.
ODI matches played before the knock: 129
ODI matches played after the knock: 0