CricDigs Blogs

1975, It happened to be a significant year in the history of ODI cricket. World Cup was one of the nicest thing that could have ever happened to ODI cricket. But there is something else that did happen during the 1975 World Cup.

It was a clash set up between the England team and the Indian team. England had massacred the Indian bowling attack and did manage to put up 334 runs in their allotted 60 overs. Then begun the much expected Indian chase. Cricket during those years, was not all about going all guns blazing and instead it was all about having wickets in hand and then bursting out in the death overs. To chase 335 for a victory with a required rate of 5.5+ was really a daunting task. There came in our openers to begin the chase, and all had thought it was a typical kinda game where in Gavaskar would seal one end and the others will have to play their hand in leading India to a victory. But does any one know what happened eventually ?

Gavaskar did hang up one end, and he carried his bat starting from the first ball to the 360th ball of the innings. All he managed to score was a mere 36* of 174 balls. Playing 29 overs himself and managed just a boundary. Well i just have no clue what the hell was running through the great player’s mind. He ain’t that dumb to not know it was the World Cup and it wasn’t ODI cricket. Does anyone have the slightest of idea what our heroic batsman was trying to achieve ? Those days, i confess people might not have been aware of pacing their innings while chasing. But to lose three wickets, and score 132/3 at the end of 60 overs in a chase of 335 is simply not acceptable.

And now i see Sunny happily sitting in the commentator’s box and talking non-sense. Saying he should have done this, he should have done that and stuffs like that. I guess he should be reminded of what a batsman(ODI) he was during his tenure. His 36* is one of an epic example of playing for oneself and not for the team !!