5 Special ODI Knocks That Ended In Vain:Indian batsmen have played plenty of memorable ODI knocks over the years. There have been many iconic knocks that have brought the team glory. But there are a few knocks that don’t necessarily take the team over the line. Yet these knocks remain special in people’s memories as they are played valiantly under testing conditions. Indian players have played such special knocks wherein they have had little to no support from other players. But they kept chasing the win irrespective of all odds.
We look at 5 such special ODI knocks that ended in vain:
#5 Ajay Jadeja’s lonely 100 vs Australia in the 1999 ODI World Cup
India had scraped through the league stage winning three out of the five games in the 1999 ODI World Cup. They were up against Australia in the first game of the super 6 phase. Australia had posted an imposing score of 282 after being put into bat. India needed a strong start in response but they lost their first four wickets for just 17 runs.
Ajay Jadeja and Robin Singh stitched a strong partnership for the fifth wicket of 141 runs. Jadeja though carried on gamely scoring a 100 against a solid Australian bowling attack. India finished well short of Australia’s target but the innings was all about Jadeja’s classy knock.
#4 MS Dhoni’s 113 takes India to respectability
It was the first game of the 3-match ODI series against Pakistan in Chennai. Pakistan’s pacers tore apart India’s top order reducing them to 29-5. MS Dhoni farmed strike beautifully from thereon. He waged a lone battle taking India to a respectable total.
Dhoni scored 113 not out off 125 balls dispatching 7 fours and 3 sixes. The total eventually didn’t prove to be enough as Pakistan won the game comfortably in the end. But Dhoni’s knock remains a shining memory!
#3 Sachin Tendulkar’s masterclass in Hyderabad, 2009
Australia had amassed 350 runs batting first on a flat track in Hyderabad. India had to win the game to stay alive in the series. Sachin Tendulkar decided to take the game into his own hands. He scored one of the most brilliant hundreds ever seen in a run chase. Tendulkar anchored the run-chase beautifully. He kept losing partners at one end until Suresh Raina provided him with much-needed support.
The duo added 137 runs in 114 balls to take India closer to the total. Tendulkar was dismissed in the 48th over with the score reading 332-7. He had produced 175 runs off 141 balls smashing 19 fours and 4 sixes. India added just 15 runs more once Tendulkar was dismissed and lost the game.
#2 Hardik Pandya’s blitz in the 2017 Champions Trophy final
India was done for all money within the first 10 overs of their chase in the Champions Trophy final in 2017. They were reeling at 72-6 inside 17 overs. India required 266 runs in 33 overs with Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. Pandya decided to cut loose at this juncture. He started clobbering bowlers to all parts of the ground hitting 4 fours and 6 sixes.
Pandya was looking in the mood to conjure up something special. He, unfortunately, got run out for 76. His knock lasted for just 43 balls. But the destruction was proof enough for the fans to imagine what could have been had he played longer!
#1 Ravindra Jadeja vs New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup
It was this knock that changed his ODI career dramatically. Ravindra Jadeja didn’t start the 2019 ODI World Cup as India decided to play both wrist spinners. But after losing to England in the league game he found a spot in the playing XI. India needed 240 runs to secure a place in the finals but was reduced to 5-3, 24-4, and 92-6 at different stages of the game.
Jadeja walked into bat at number 8. He immediately took the attack to the opposition. Jadeja smashed 77 runs off 59 balls taking India within touching distance. But India failed at the final hurdle. It remains one of Indian cricket’s most documented heartbreak!
