Mahi’s taadka – The riddle of double ton
“With Dhoni’s maiden Test Double in the 1st Test, on February 24, 2013, which eventually turned the table for the Indians, here wishing the return of good days in Indian cricket.” Writes Monika Arora
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| Indian Test team Captain - Mahendra Singh Dhoni |
How fancy it would be to get something before dreaming it? And what if the same dream turns true as soon as you open your eyes? Darn mind-boggling or freaky fascinating?
Today, let’s start the conversation from conception to a fortune. Take a visit from the lanes of a fairy tale to the streets of majesty and learn the art of preservation through persisting it.
To start with, let me take you back to February 2009. Team India had left for New Zealand for a packed series of 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20s.
With triumphs over the Kangaroos (2-0), Englishmen (1-0) and Proteas (1-0) in Tests at home, 16 men were drafted to be led by MS Dhoni. A confident Indian camp started their tour with two T20 defeats. Courtesy the home team, Kiwis displayed marvelous game of cricket. Nevertheless, the Indians summed up the series with kudos. Further, rewards were firmly credited on account of the skipper; breaking a 41-year jinx in Tests for a visiting Indian side.
March 8, 2009 – Third ODI of the series. The ground was Christchurch. Precisely well known for its brief boundary – just 53m from the center. Had not Tendulkar been retired hurt, the day could have become the double century day. Sachin amassed 163 off 206; resulted India won the match by popping a discussion behind them whether 200 is possible in ODIs or not?
March 11, 2009 – Fourth ODI of the series. The venue shifted to Hamilton and Sehwag took the commanding charge after falling short in last 4 matches. Destiny willing, he remained not out with 125 runs whilst India finished at 201/0 in reply of 270/6 by NZ in a rain-marred encounter. Thus, a pause took place until 2010.
However, then the Indian Test team was quite muscled – have gotten a witty sharp captain, the opening slot had a blazing flair and middle order was enriched with experience; the bowling department, too, was fizzy. The absence of Kumble and Ganguly didn’t reflect since the results were highly productive.
Later, as scripted, time chaired its place. Indians continued enjoying triumphs of sweet sweat until 2010 where Proteas served the outrageous dish of sour grapes – first Test defeat under Dhoni’s captaincy; unbeaten since his debut, a record holder with 11 Tests (8 wins and 3 draws) and the only one so far yet.
Despite sketching a drawback on skipper, the guests were renowned by Sachin Tendulkar in the similar fashion. And the following year, the world witnessed Sehwag replicating the same but against the West Indies. Thankfully, there was no Dhoni on both the occasions.
Better known as ‘the double century day’, February 24, 2010 registered by the landmark of first double hundred in ODI history. And who other than Sachin would be better to do this honour.
Following the legacy of Sachin, Virender Sehwag, on December 8, 2011 surpassed the highest ever ODI total by a batsman – rattled the Windies by a brutal inning of 219 runs.
However you would say – a coincidence or a chase, it ends the same way it started back then. To be honest, I always wished Sehwag to achieve it at first. But trust me, excepting the 200-run feat for him couldn’t amazed me more than one get’s fascinated with the Sachin one.
With remarks to the captain, for the kudos and the cameos, Dhoni started with a richly experienced side in Whites, which included everything to make a better team. In return, the entire fraternity bows down evenly. On twist, especially in this transition phase, he is unleashing his own experience to be a better leader, where not each player has gelled well together and which invited a lot of criticism, questions and an arguable debate.
Amid of all those limelight and floodlights, the puzzle somewhere missing him a morale-boosting long inning; not only to get him into the groove, but also to re-energized this down Indian team.
A fitted 5’9” tall frame, named MS Dhoni, has cemented a distinctive space through sheer hard work. Always the golden son of lady luck and credited as ‘the most applauded Indian captain’ by the former greats and ‘the best ever brand’ after Sachin Tendulkar’s to the corporate world.
Today, let’s start the conversation from conception to a fortune. Take a visit from the lanes of a fairy tale to the streets of majesty and learn the art of preservation through persisting it.
Scene 1:
To start with, let me take you back to February 2009. Team India had left for New Zealand for a packed series of 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20s.
With triumphs over the Kangaroos (2-0), Englishmen (1-0) and Proteas (1-0) in Tests at home, 16 men were drafted to be led by MS Dhoni. A confident Indian camp started their tour with two T20 defeats. Courtesy the home team, Kiwis displayed marvelous game of cricket. Nevertheless, the Indians summed up the series with kudos. Further, rewards were firmly credited on account of the skipper; breaking a 41-year jinx in Tests for a visiting Indian side.
The conception:
March 8, 2009 – Third ODI of the series. The ground was Christchurch. Precisely well known for its brief boundary – just 53m from the center. Had not Tendulkar been retired hurt, the day could have become the double century day. Sachin amassed 163 off 206; resulted India won the match by popping a discussion behind them whether 200 is possible in ODIs or not?
A fairy tale:
March 11, 2009 – Fourth ODI of the series. The venue shifted to Hamilton and Sehwag took the commanding charge after falling short in last 4 matches. Destiny willing, he remained not out with 125 runs whilst India finished at 201/0 in reply of 270/6 by NZ in a rain-marred encounter. Thus, a pause took place until 2010.
However, then the Indian Test team was quite muscled – have gotten a witty sharp captain, the opening slot had a blazing flair and middle order was enriched with experience; the bowling department, too, was fizzy. The absence of Kumble and Ganguly didn’t reflect since the results were highly productive.
Scene 2:
Later, as scripted, time chaired its place. Indians continued enjoying triumphs of sweet sweat until 2010 where Proteas served the outrageous dish of sour grapes – first Test defeat under Dhoni’s captaincy; unbeaten since his debut, a record holder with 11 Tests (8 wins and 3 draws) and the only one so far yet.
Despite sketching a drawback on skipper, the guests were renowned by Sachin Tendulkar in the similar fashion. And the following year, the world witnessed Sehwag replicating the same but against the West Indies. Thankfully, there was no Dhoni on both the occasions.
Fortune:
Better known as ‘the double century day’, February 24, 2010 registered by the landmark of first double hundred in ODI history. And who other than Sachin would be better to do this honour.
The majesty:
Following the legacy of Sachin, Virender Sehwag, on December 8, 2011 surpassed the highest ever ODI total by a batsman – rattled the Windies by a brutal inning of 219 runs.
However you would say – a coincidence or a chase, it ends the same way it started back then. To be honest, I always wished Sehwag to achieve it at first. But trust me, excepting the 200-run feat for him couldn’t amazed me more than one get’s fascinated with the Sachin one.
Scene 3:
With remarks to the captain, for the kudos and the cameos, Dhoni started with a richly experienced side in Whites, which included everything to make a better team. In return, the entire fraternity bows down evenly. On twist, especially in this transition phase, he is unleashing his own experience to be a better leader, where not each player has gelled well together and which invited a lot of criticism, questions and an arguable debate.
Amid of all those limelight and floodlights, the puzzle somewhere missing him a morale-boosting long inning; not only to get him into the groove, but also to re-energized this down Indian team.
The art of preservation:
A fitted 5’9” tall frame, named MS Dhoni, has cemented a distinctive space through sheer hard work. Always the golden son of lady luck and credited as ‘the most applauded Indian captain’ by the former greats and ‘the best ever brand’ after Sachin Tendulkar’s to the corporate world.
Persistence:
Numerous records, captaincy benchmarks, leading the so-called Maharaja-stature team India (read as a weak fielding side) at the helm of world cricket; followed by the awful disastrous away tours to England and Australia – MS Dhoni has tasted a 360 degree captaincy experience in his given career.
By keeping in mind the perks and glitz of backyard series, history sound so aesthetic; until and unless a defeat soak-in the joyous moisture.
Since the end of 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, the Indian cricket has seen a range of drastic changes – not only in the dressing room environment but also in the on-field attitude. The composure was quite refreshing for the fans and so has been the outcome.
With Dhoni’s maiden Test Double in the 1st Test, on February 24, 2013, which eventually turned the table for the Indians, here wishing the return of good days in Indian cricket.
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This article first published on cricketsoccer.com !
