15 Favourite Cricket moments: A Fan’s point of view

15 Favourite Cricket moments: A Fan’s point of view: A game of glorious uncertainties, a game where experts could be made to look fools and intellectual insight might not guarantee on field performance, a game where emotions fly high, and yet a game which brings smiles on millions of faces. This is Cricket for you. And before you wonder who its real stakeholders are, let me put it in unequivocal terms that it is the fans, the real lovers of the game, who are ready to go to any lengths to pursue their passion. Each of us must acknowledge the fact that they are the real assets and their worth is much more than any amount of financial prowess. So I guess you would not mind if I give you their perspective on Cricket. Let me dawn a fan’s hat and list the 15 Favourite Cricket moments: A Fan’s point of view: 1. Amazing catches: Jonty Rhodes. (Photo Source: Getty Images) While batting and bowling seem to be the more discussed facets of Cricket, fielding is a downplayed discipline. But there is nothing to suggest that it is any less crucial than the other two. How often have we seen a crucial run out or a brilliant catch change the course of a game. While a diving save is a photographer’s delight, the catches take the cake. Be it on the boundary, the one handed blinders flying and plucking the ball out of air, the running efforts, or the rapid reactions when fielding close, they can give even the coolest of persons goosebumps. 2. Last ball finishes: (Photo Source: AFP) As much as the fans want their native teams to win, they also love the opposition giving a close fight. Emotions fly high in such intense battles which is what excites the fans. There can not be a closer match than the last ball finish, and the supporters of each side are pretty much on the edge of their seats in such games. While it is inevitable that one team would lose, the real interest is in the contest than the result itself. Be it Dhoni’s six or Steyn’s Yorker, the final moments in such clashes are a roller coaster ride. 3. Superb Fielding: Suresh Raina. (© Getty Images) As the saying goes runs saved are runs scored. A brilliant effort in the 30 yard circle is enough to keep the batsman on his toes and ensure he doesn’t get easy singles. While on other occasions direct hits can change the course of an entire game. When the field restrictions are on and the batsman hits a powerful drive, a diving save could save four crucial runs. That is why you realize why men like David Warner, Suresh Raina or Ab de Villiers are stationed in these crunch positions. In the death overs, preventing boundaries is more important and thus you find the same men patrolling the fence. 4. Prolific Talents: Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: BCCI) A young player on the scene excites not only fans but the media as well. Cricket has been lucky to have had some amazing talents who have later materialized their potential into performance. Ask anybody and they would prefer a Rohit Sharma knock to say a Garry Balance one, just because of the range of shots of the former. Such players evoke phenomenal expectations and are the darling of supporters. Darren Bravo, Unmukt Chand, Mitchell Marsh are only some of the names. 5. A brilliant innings against all odds: (© Getty Images) To play well on a pitch which is placid, against an attack that is depleted won’t bring you accolades from every quarter. But when a batsman battles all adverse factors and comes up with a courageous knock, that is when fans like it the most. And for this reason each one of us value overseas performances much more than the domestic ones. To conquer conditions you are not accustomed to is no mean task. A VVS Laxman knock in the 4th innings of Test when the game is in the balance is certainly more valuable than say a Virat, innings on the opening day of a Test in India. 6. Record Breaking Performances: AB de Villiers. (© Getty Images) Rohit’s double ton in ODIs, Brian Lara’s 400, AB’s fastest ODI century, Anil Kumble’s 10 for in an innings, or Steyn’s amazing strike rate, these are records that just make fans go ballistic. Cricket as a sport can not be delinked from statistics as they lend a crucial dimension to the game. And it is these stats which make for analytical comparisons and mind-boggling numbers. The impact of such performances can be judged from the fact that often the contest takes a back seat amidst such fantastic individual achievements. 7. Fantastic Spells from Pacers: Stuart Broad. (© Getty Images) If a batsman’s straight drive is a treat to watch, for a bowler the equivalent is when he uproots the stumps. That is quite a sight and makes the crowd in the stadium or those watching on TV go wild with their celebrations. As often is the case, one bowler creates pressure while the other one rips apart the opposition batting line up. Stuart Broad’s deadly spell in the 4th Ashes Test is just an example. When guys like Steyn and Lee pump it up you just can not afford to miss. Such performances not only lift the bowling team up but also ensure the batsmen coming in are tentative rather than assertive at the crease. 8. Ultimate contest between bat and ball: (© Getty Images) As much as we go shouting about the enthusiasts loving high scoring games, that is far from reality. A true fan loves when there is an even contest between the cherry and the willow. It gives an equal chance for each one involved to express their skill. Sporting pitches allow for the best of these contests. 9. Big sixes: MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: Getty Images) When Dhoni or AB hit those huge sixes the crowd just goes crazy. Aerial hits demand a lot of risk, but are equally rewarding if you get it right. Ask any fan and he would tell you how much they enjoy a mighty hit over the fence. The shot itself has three facets to it, picking up the length early, meeting the ball in the middle of the willow and maintaining your composure to ensure it goes the maximum distance. Javed Miandad is still remembered for that last ball six against Chetan Sharma. Yuvraj’s six sixes were a delight to watch and Ganguly on most occasions ensured the ball went out of the park. 10. On field clashes: (© Getty Images) The verbal battles, to physical contact, on field banter just adds the extra spice to a cricket match. As long as it is within limits, these moments can improve the game’s public appeal. The media just loves to cash in on these incidents and sensationalize such issues. Famous examples are Andrew Symonds and Bhajji during the Monkeygate or Virat Kohli’s spat with Johnson last year. 11. Controversies and scandals: Mohammad Amir. (Photo Source: PA Photos) Apart from the on field incidents cricket is also familiar with numerous off field controversies. From Shoaib Akhtar’s alleged slapping of Bob Woolmer to Shane Warne’s affairs there is no dearth of instances where cricketers or teams land themselves into trouble. Ball Tampering, Spot fixing, DRS controversies, are some of the most common ones. 12. Marquee encounters: India v Pakistan. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Every cricket fan waits for these battles. An India Pakistan match or an Ashes clash, these are contests which divide opinion like none when it comes to cricket. Apart from the genuine buzz around these games, there are celebrities who come to watch the matches, which adds to the excitement quotient. 13. Player battles: Sachin Tendulkar v Shane Warne. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Here we do not only mean the verbal fight but competing in their respective skills. When we see Dale Steyn bowling to Sachin Tendulkar we are more interested in the hype than the eventual outcome. A brilliant outswinger could be followed with an equally good straight drive. Those who hold their nerve come out trumps and those who let the occasion affect them, look nothing less than bunnies. 14. Engrossing commentary: Ravi Shastri. (©Getty Images) Be it Ravi Shastri or Harsha Bhogle, the fans admire engrossing and educated commentary. A commentator’s job is much more the uttering the obvious. Navjot Singh Siddu might appear to be suffering from verbal diarrhea but a closer to listen would reveal the depth of his frequent on air punches. While IPL demands a frenzy and witty voice, the longer version often calls for analytical and intellectual narration. 15. A click with their favourite cricket stars: (Photo Source: BCCI) A photograph with their favourite player just makes the day for a fan. For the player’s it might not be a great deal but ask a fan and he would just go on and on about it. Cricketers these days, are more than willing to meet people and have a candid chat with them which can only be a welcome sign in a world where everything happens inside closed doors.