5 matches where India showcased their true potential
As fans of Indian cricket, we have many fond memories and few sour ones. There have always been those extraordinary innings, magical spells and passionate cricket matches between arch rivals like Pakistan or Australia. Still few matches are more special than others for the sole reason of them being the matches where India showcased their potential and carved out fond memories in every cricket fan's memory lane.
When a batsman like Virat Kohli will look at his career-best innings, he will have plenty to choose from, hopefully, this will make the cut until Top 5.
#5 India vs Sri Lanka ODI 2012 CB series, 11th match Hobart
A match which is known for the heroics of Virat Kohli. India was on backfoot even before the match started as they were falling short in terms of run rate for qualifying to the finals of the tri-series and they needed a bonus point. Amid all the pressure, Kohli played an inning that in a way can be considered the rise of the best run chaser of the game.
Dilshan and Sangakkara's brilliance
On the lovely hard deck of Hobart, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara played brilliantly, each scoring a hundred after being put to bat by India. They single-handedly made Indian pacers and part-timers pay for the loose bowling. Sri Lanka was pretty happy with their efforts as they managed to put up 320 runs on the board.
Start of India's Innings
It was a very challenging target for any team any day, achieving it within 40 overs would need a special attempt from the Indian team. Sehwag entertained the spectators with his inning before getting out for 30. Sachin and Gambhir also looked very comfortable in the middle. India was looking at a very good first power play as they had scored 97 runs but they just lost Sachin Tendulkar in 10th over, Indian supporters were still recovering from his departure.
The Pair of Kohli-Gambhir
A few months back, in 2011 World Cup final against the same opponent this pair produced a very crucial partnership and people expected something more special from them this time. Virat Kohli started his game in his own style and scored 21 runs in first 20 balls he faced. As they were looking set to give India the win it desperately needed to be in the competition. As things were looking good for India, bad news came in as Gambhir got run out. After 28th over India still needed 113 runs in 22 to win the match, but they needed to achieve this in 12 overs.
The Magic of Kohli
After the departure of Gambhir, Raina came in ahead of Dhoni at No.5. 113 needed in 12 overs. Although both players showing intent to win the match but what was coming next will transform a good innings [till now] from Kohli into a memorable one. In the next couple of overs, India scored quick runs as both batsmen started dealing in boundaries only. Then came the over that Malinga will never be able to forget. Kohli scored 24 runs from one of the best death bowler's over. After this mammoth over India could see an unparallel win.
India achieved the target in 36.4 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Though India could not reach the finals, this match has been registered in cricket fan's memories as one of the best run chases of all time.
Some quotes from the post-match presentation
Dhoni: "This was some of the best ODI cricket I have been a part of."
Mahela: "You can't do much when they bat like that.. Virat played out of his skin on a true pitch."