Ever since I started following Cricket - probably from the 1992 world cup - there have been several great innings that I have viewed and admired. Some have even been inspirational. In this post I try to list out five of the greatest innings that I have seen and the reasons they impressed me. So here goes:
Quite simply the greatest chasing innings played in cricket history. Period. In a series where Brian Lara reeled off gem after gem of great innings, this was the pièce de résistance. West Indies chasing a daunting 309 were struggling at 90/5, enter Brian Charles Lara and the rest as they say is history. The most nerve raking part was at the end when Lara managed to eek out 60 odd runs batting with Ambrose and Walsh - a task as diffucult as squeezing water out of stone. The unforgetteble picture one has in mind of the innings is that of a visibly relieved and overjoyed Lara celebrating after cracking the winning runs through cover. Truly an innings for the ages.
It can only be a miracle. How else can you explain ,India beating australia after being 1-0 down in the series and 275 adrift in the second test and being asked to follow on by a rampaging Aussie juggernaut. The innings that made the miracle possible was the spectacular 281 by Laxman. In a test match scripted in the heavens the innings was the highlight. The innings was probably more mental than monumental. Such was the radiance of the innings that it left the aussies blind and India duly wrapped up the series in the next test match at Chennai.
The innings that started the revival of Lara's career. An analysis of the innings should go beyond the dry statistic and focus on the context in which it was played. West Indies had just been walloped 5-0 by South Africa, the Aussies had skittled them for 54 in the first test and Lara himself was going through a tough time with the bat and on top of that was on a two test probation as captain. This was the stage on which Lara staged one of the great returns of all time and by the end of his innings Lara turned from a pariah to the messiah.
No other innings showed the 'coming of age' of Indian Cricket on foreign soil as much as this one. Being whipped around for 500+ in the first innings and being 80/4 while batting would have been enough for indian teams of the past to collapse and yeild ground. But not this side. The fight back was led by Dravid and Laxman bringing memories of Calcutta flooding back again. The moment I remember about the innings is the way he brought up his hundred - a hooked six over fine leg. A moment you would least expect from Dravid!!!.
On what was a most depressing tour for Indian fans down under, the only spark was provided by the scintillating maiden hundred by VVS Laxman. For shear stroke play against fast bowling that was one of the most brilliant innings I had ever seen. Pulling, Cutting , driving it had everything one could ask for. In a sense it was the coming of age of Laxman who showed both will and grace as a batsman, one who would go on to script many more memorable knocks.
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