Iconic Knocks By Indian Captains
Touring overseas has always been challenging for the Indian team. The batsmen especially find it difficult to cope with alien conditions. Oppositions have always targeted the Indian captains to make a statement for the whole tour. Let us look at Iconic Knocks By Indian Captains in detail.
But there have been a few Indian captains who have changed this narrative. They have produced a few knocks that have stood the test of time. These knocks might not have always ended up in winning causes but they were epoch-making for sure.
We look at a few such Iconic Knocks By Indian Captains:
#4 Sourav Ganguly – Gabba, 2003
There was a lot of noise regarding Sourav Ganguly’s ability to play the short ball. The Aussies used the term ’sweet chin music’ to mock Ganguly. But the Indian captain put on a stellar show in the first Test against Australia in 2003-04.
The captain’s knock:
Sourav Ganguly scored his first and only century in Australia on arguably the toughest wicket of the tour. He notched up a brilliant 144 thereby telling the Aussies that this Indian team is no pushover. India went on to draw the series 1-1. Ganguly’s century played a big part in this result.
#3 Virat Kohli – Adelaide, 2014
MS Dhoni was the full-time captain when India toured Australia in 2014-15. An injury ruled him out of the first Test at Adelaide. Virat Kohli was India’s stand-in captain. Australia hammered India’s inexperienced bowling lineup notching up huge totals across both innings. Virat Kohli though put on a batting masterclass. He seemed to be batting in a different zone as he notched up centuries in both innings.
The knock that set up a template:
It was his 141 in the second innings though that remains timeless. Kohli-led India showed that they had no interest in playing for a draw. It became India’s calling card in Tests under Kohli.
#2 Rahul Dravid – Jamaica, 2006
India was arguably the better side right throughout the 4-match series. They just couldn’t produce the finishing touch to surge ahead in the series. It came down to the final game which was the decider. The host team, West Indies, laid out a treacherous pitch. India opted to bat first after winning the toss. They lost both their openers in no time. Rahul Dravid, the captain walked in at number 3.
Dravid’s twin essays:
He scored a gritty 81 in the first innings that helped India post a total of some respectability (200). The Windies catapulted in their response. In the second innings too, Dravid notched up a fine 68 that put the game beyond the West Indies. India finally won a series in the Caribbean. They had their captain to thank!
#1 Ajinkya Rahane – Melbourne, 2020
Everything that could go wrong for India went wrong in the first Test against Australia during the 2020-21 tour. India lost a game within a session on the third morning after having dominated the Test until then. Experts were quick to predict an Aussie whitewash as many felt Adelaide was their best bet. Captain Kohli was on paternal duty as both teams headed to Melbourne.
The series defining century:
Ajinkya Rahane stepped in as captain. Indian bowlers did well to restrict the Aussies to under 200. In response, India was in a precarious situation. It was at this juncture when Rahane took control. He forged fine partnerships with Rishabh Pant first and then with Ravindra Jadeja. Rahane brought up his century at the fag end of the second day. His century set not just the game but the series for India. It was a knock for the ages!
