Top 10 moments of 2009 in World Cricket

As the year is coming to a close in the next week, cricforu.com analyses the top ten cricketing moments of the year. The moments are purely based on teams pulling off unlikely wins, individuals literally putting their teams on the forefront with their brilliance.

Deccan Chargers winning the IPL-2

It was a fairytale ride for Deccan Chronicle’s team that catapulted it to stardom and success. After having finished at the bottom in the first edition of IPL, Deccan Chargers went through an overhaul and brought in Australian legend Adam Gilchrist at the helm and with Coach Darren Lehmann in tow, the new recruits got together and did the unthinkable. They not only won the second edition of IPL but also ensured that the old adage on cricket stays justified—cricket is indeed a funny game.

Pakistan wins the World Twenty20 in England

Pakistan has remained an enigma ever since its independence. Their cricket too has remained one and just when the world thought that the team’s unpredictability was suffering a sorry end, came Younis Khan’s men who trounced the much-favoured Sri Lankans in the final to not only win the World Cup T20 but also ensured that the premier tournament now in its second edition did not travel away from the sub-continent after India had won the first edition.

Sachin Tendulkar completed 20 years of international cricket

The little master completed two decades in cricket and how. A cracking 175 against Hyderabad marked yet another decisive year for the champion player in cricket. Much like an old wine, Sachin seems to be getting better and better with each passing year. Take a bow! For cricforu.com’s special coverage on Tendulkar, click on https://cricforu.com/2009/11/14/super-sachin-sensational-sojourn/

Australia wins the Champions Trophy and the seven-match India series 4-2

Ah! The Aussie attitude shouted Ricky Ponting as his side finished the formalities in Guwahati, venue of the sixth ODI against India as the side won the series by a handsome margin. With injury concerns looming large with almost half the premier side not in attendance, the win in the sub-continent ought to have tasted sweeter.

South Africa wins the Test series 2-1 against Australia in Australia

Winning a Test series in Australia is not a thing which has happened often. In fact, apart from India and South Africa, not many teams have even notched up a win over Down Under. The win for Graeme Smith’s boys was a result of careful planning which began over three years ago. Interestingly, Australia went on to win the Test series against South Africa in March this year, in their own backyard. Some revenge this!

Attack on Sri Lankan team

It was a winter morning in Lahore when 6 Sri Lankan cricketers and their assistant coach were injured while their security guards were among eight people killed in the first ever terror strike in the history of cricket. It was a blatant reminder on the powers to be that Pakistan was far away from being secured. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis along with Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Suranga Lakmal and Thilina Thushara were injured in the attack.

Sehwag’s special knock at Brabourne Stadium against Sri Lanka

It was one of the fastest double centuries in terms of time and the fielders, teammates, commentators and the viewers were left spell-bound by the array of strokes and the aura of this man from Delhi who hit those super fast 293 in record time. There was not one uncouth shot in the entire innings and it left an indelible blot in spin king Muttiah Muralitharan’s career. At the end of the day’s play, teammate Angelo Mathews had remarked fittingly, “I have seen Murali being bashed all over the park.” Well, we could not agree more.

England winning the Ashes

The much awaited Test series of 2009 saw the Englishmen winning the Ashes and inflicted Australian skipper Ricky Ponting with an dubious record —of having lost two consecutive Ashes in England for the first time in over 100 years. Punter surely wouldn’t be amused with this record.

Symonds gets a red card from Cricket Australia

He has always been a free-spirited soul in cricket and when the Cricket Australia snapped Andrew Symonds’ contract on the eve of the World Twenty20 in England on charges of being drunk, the cricketing world was in utter shock. Symonds has always followed his instincts and this move by CA did not auger well for the other members of the side.

India becomes the No.1 ranked team in ICC Test rankings

A process that started under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly finally saw the Indian team finishing the year 2009 on the pinnacle when they sealed the win against Sri Lanka in the final Test at Mumbai. Kudos to Mahi’s men!