19th of January saw one of the greatest Test match victories for an Indian team overseas. The Border – Gavaskar trophy played in Australia has been touted as one of the greatest Test series ever. The sheer high octane nature of the series helped it gain mythical proportions of sorts.
The series saw the rise of a new age force in the Indian set up. However, the last ball of the series also saw one of the most iconic commentary pieces in cricket commentary ever. This article carries similar instances of 5 of the greatest commentary pieces in Cricket.
Tony Greig, India vs. Australia, Sharjah, 1998.
“Desert Storm” at Sharjah has become synonymous to the legend of Sachin. The game is also remembered for the commentary which portrayed him as this ‘larger-than-life’ cricketer.
As the Little Master left the entire cricketing fraternity awestruck with his innings of 143, the viewers also had the privilege of listening to the piece of Tony Greig with it.
“He’s hit this one miles, great shot oh… It’s a biggie, straight over the top, the little man has hit the big fella for six. He is half his size and he has smashed him down the ground, what a player…what a wonderful player!
Ravi Shastri, India vs. Sri Lanka, Mumbai, 2011
In 2011, India lifted the world cup at Wankhede after 28 years. The MS Dhoni-led team India played with a bundle of emotions, as it was Sachin Tendulkar’s last world cup; it being played at home; and Yuvraj’s illness. The six by MS off Kulasekara is etched in the memory of every Indian cricket fan, thanks to Ravi Shastri who gave this moment a touch of immortilty with his iconic lines.
“Dhoni finishes off in style, a magnificent strike into the crowd, India lift the World Cup after 28 years, the party starts in the dressing room, and it is an Indian captain who has been absolutely magnificent on the night of the finals”.
Harsha Bhogle, India vs. West Indies, Mumbai, 2013.
Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement was one of the most emotional moments in recent cricketing history. A glorious 24-year old career came to a cinematic end in Sachin’s hometown.
As the match ended and dust seemed to settle down on the game, the emotions were on a high. Harsha Bhogle, with his “Goodbye, Little man’ speech, eloquently summarized the experience for over a billion people.
Ian Bishop, West Indies vs. England, Kolkata, 2016.
India hosted the 2016 T20 World Cup. The finale of this mega event was a close contest between two T20 powerhouses. West Indies’ all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite pulled off a stunning victory to help the team clinch their second title. Ian Bishop with his resounding voice gave a commentary piece that has been talked about since then.
“Carlos Brathwaite!..Remember the name!!
Vivek Razdan, India vs. Australia, Brisbane, 2021
India scripted history by defeating the full-fledged Australian side at Gabba, their fortress. The Ajinkya Rahane-led team India heralded a new era in Indian Test cricket with the introduction of new blood in whites. The emphatic victory was coupled with poetic yet powerful lines by Vivek Razdan in Hindi.
“Toota hai Gabba ka ghamand!”
