The Wonder years: Pre-2000

As India and the millions of Indians abroad bask in the World cup glory, I reminisced some of the ODI’s of our generation that have been special to me and will never leave my mind.

P.S. The below are not match summaries, I’m just writing them out of my mind, as I recollect them. Please feel free to contribute if I missed a match/series. Alongside each match is a link to the scoreboard (for statistician’s delight):

Below is the first installment, pre-year 2000, in the order in which they were played:

• The Beginning (1992 World Cup India vs Pakistan): A relatively young India with Kapil and K. Srikkanth as the guiding force. Although I have very faint memories of watching this live, what I do remember is the Miandad-More duel. Miandad imitating More’s enthusiasm by jumping up and down got the Indian team charged up. Soon after, a young (and very skinny) Javagal bowls Javed out to the sheer delight of the Indian fans. Duel wonàmatch won.

Scorecard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65133.html

• Last over, anyone? (1993/94 Hero Cup Semi final): The resurgence of South Africa in world cricket had taken everyone by surprise and India needed something special to reserve a place in the final of the Hero Cup. We made a paltry score (<200) and with the batting depth of the Proteas, we had almost been written off. What followed was a disciplined bowling effort by our premier bowlers, but somehow it wasn’t enough. 6 runs required off the last over. Decisions, decisions. And whom does Azhar go to? A young and enthusiastic Sachin, who bowls a splendid mixture of everything (leg-spin, off-spin, medium pace) and just gives 3 runs off the over to secure a fantastic win.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65971.html

• Bangalored (1996 India Pakistan World Cup): A high-voltage quarter-final. Jadeja set Bangalore on fire by destroying Waqar Younis and set a good total. Their openers started off brilliantly, and it took a rush of blood by Sohail to rub Prasad and the whole of India the wrong way. Prasad showed Sohail the way to the dressing room and India showed Pakistan the exit door.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65187.html

• 6 runs per over (1995/1996 India Pakistan Sharjah): A league match, however, a significant one due to the following reasons (other than India winning):
1. This was the first time in ODI’s that India crossed the 300 mark.
2. Sidhu and Sachin scored scintillating centuries.
3. Siddhu’s tiff with Sohail and Siddhu walking over to Sohail with the bat and a young Sachin calming him down.
4. Azhar blasting Ata-ur-Rehman for 29 off 10 deliveries.
5. The first time I saw Sachin giving the batsman a sendoff after taking the last wicket of Saqlain after shattering his stumps by a yorker.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65757.html

• Kanitkar, please Connect-Kar (India Pakistan, 1996 Dhaka): It had never been done before; chasing a score of 314 put up by Pakistan would require rewriting the record books. And that is what we did. 2 balls, 3 to win and Kanitkar pulled Saqlain in darkness to a famous victory to bring home the Independence cup.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66136.html

• Grandmother’s recipe (India Australia Titan cup 1996): India were folding meekly to the Aussies, needing a further 53 with 3 wickets in hand. The local boys, Srinath and Kumble, take guard and within minutes, we see scenes of frenzy with Srinath’s mother, Kumble’s grandmother, everyone from their family cheering them on and praying them to complete an improbable victory over the Aussies. http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66061.html

• Fly Robin Fly (India Zimbabwe, Paarl 1997): India were in deep trouble in South Africa as Robin fought dehydration, puked on the field but almost rescued us with a brilliant 48 to tie the game. The last ball was a wide, which, if given earlier, wouldn't have induced a crazy run-out...Damn you Rudi Koertzen...arghh. http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66070.html
  

• Dadagiri (Sahara Cup 1997, India vs Pakistan, Toronto): The rise of an empire as Sourav grabbed a record 4 out of 5 man of the match awards and the man of the series after great performances with the bat and ball.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/61010.html

• What a wonderful player (India-Australia Sharjah, 1998): There were sandstorms and then there was Sachin. A full-strength Australian side found it difficult to cope with one individual, SRT. The six of Warne and Moody over his head and Tony Greg’s animated commentary is still fresh in our minds.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/61026.html

• Lateral movement (India England 1999 World cup): India can’t handle swing, said the Poms, but could they? In an amazing match that spanned 2 days, India out-swung the English and won the game in some style. Famous words by Jadeja to Mohanty “Inko kuch samajh nahi raha hai, ball andar jaa raha hai ya baahar”.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65217.html