Cricket is a religion in India. Fans follow the sport passionately. Cricket players are looked upon as Demigods. They are seen as invincible heroes. Fans following the sport take the game and its heroes very seriously. These fans often almost know most of the Shocking facts about Indian cricket. But certain facts might intrigue even the most loyal cricket fan.
5 such Shocking Facts About Indian Cricket, that will surprise everyone:
#5 Rahul Dravid played for Scotland
Rahul Dravid is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen to have ever played the game. He is one of the very few batsmen to have scored more than 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODI’s. Dravid’s knocks were crucial in India winning overseas between the period from 2001-05. It was under his leadership that India won the Test series in West Indies and England. Dravid even captained India to its first Test match win in South Africa. But not many might be aware of the fact that Dravid represented Scotland as well. Yes, you heard that right! Dravid played 11 ODI’s for Scotland in 2003 and scored more than 600 runs averaging more than 60.
#4 Virat Kohli picked his first T20I wicket without bowling a single ball
This fact may seem ridiculous to many but it is the truth. The incident happened during a T20I match between India and England on 31 August 2011. MS Dhoni had bought in Virat Kohli to bowl a few overs. Kohli’s first ball was down the leg side and was called a wide. But Dhoni behind the stumps was alert and stumped Kevin Pietersen who was short of his crease. This way Kohli managed to grab a wicket without even bowling a legal delivery.
#3 Mandeep Singh played for South Africa A
If you think how on earth is this possible? Let us answer your question straight away. Mandeep Singh played for South Africa A as a substitute in 2015. He had to field owing to the absence of four South African A players who were down with a stomach bug. Hence Mandeep had to chip in as one of the fielders. India A cruised to an 8-wicket win in that game.
#2 Kohli was one of the top 10 T20I allrounders in 2017
There is nothing on the cricket field that Kohli can’t do. He was ranked as the 10th best T20I all-rounder in the world in 2017. This Kohli feat can be attributed to the fact that Kohli kept India’s hopes alive in the World Cup semi-final in 2016 with the ball. He picked up a couple of crucial wickets to keep India in the hunt. Kohli’s presence in the top 10 all-rounders suggested that world cricket lacked genuine all-rounders.
#1 4 Indian batsmen notched up an opening stand of “408”
In May 2007, India and Bangladesh locked horns in the 2nd Test match at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. India batted first and posted a mammoth total of 610/3 on the board. They lost their first wicket when the score was 408. But then, not two, but 4 batsmen had helped India post an ‘opening’ partnership of 408.
Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik opened the batting for India. Karthik retired hurt during the Tea break on Day 1 as he could not withstand the extreme heat. So, Rahul Dravid walked in. And, when the scorecard read 281, Wasim Jaffer too put in the towel owing to exhaustion and retired hurt when he was batting on 138. Sachin Tendulkar then joined Dravid. Dravid and Tendulkar piled on the misery of hapless Bangladesh bowlers.
Dravid eventually got out with the scorecard reading 408. He was the first Indian batsman to be dismissed. And as a result, the first Indian wicket fell with the scorecard reading 408. This is one fact that is pretty weird and astonishing in the same measure.
