5 best counter-attacking innings in Test cricket in recent times
In some ways, Test cricket is reminiscent of a boxing match. The combatants are too exhausted to throw solid punches at each other, yet they are still on their feet. One leads by points, already savouring the sweet scent of victory. The other is, for all practical purposes, down and out. Then something changes. A shift in thought occurs. A last, desperate step is taken, backed by newfound energy and a never-say-die attitude. The rival is taken aback and eventually crumbles under the hope-fuelled onslaught. Those who witness this near- miraculous turnaround are left speechless in wonder.It is what the military calls a counter-attack. The philosophy is simple: Either you go down, or I go down. But not without a fight. Cricket’s longest format has seen numerous forms of a counter-offensive, ranging from complete aggression and dominance to the dour and solid grafting approach.Here are five special instances where a counter-attack has not only benefited the side but also brought them triumph when a loss looked the most likely.
#5 Harbhajan Singh (70 vs West Indies, Kingston - June 2011)
This was a knock that came at a crucial juncture. The West Indies bowlers were breathing fire and weaving a web around the much vaunted Indian line-up at Sabina Park. For the better part of the day, the presence of Sachin Tendulkar in the middle order was sorely missed.
Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman couldn’t do much in the first innings on a moist pitch that looked likely to take a vicious amount of turn later on while debutants Abhinav Mukund and Virat Kohli suffered a trial by fire in the game’s longest version.
Suresh Raina was at the receiving end of a hostile spell by Fidel Edwards, peppered with short balls, but still managed to stay in. India had collapsed to 85/6 and desperately needed to put up a defendable total. Then came the turnaround.
Harbhajan Singh strode in, and tore into leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, taking three consecutive fours off him. What made it even more remarkable was that none of his scoring shots were slogs or streaky edges.
With all the calm assurance befitting a top-order batsman, the off-spinner took the fight to the rival camp with a couple of glorious leg glances for boundaries off Ravi Rampaul’s short stuff. It took the pressure off Raina, and India mounted a remarkable recovery via their 146-run stand for the seventh wicket.
By the time he was dismissed, for an entertaining 70, India were out of the woods. Courtesy a Dravid century in the second innings, the ODI World Champions completed a 63-run victory in four days.