Game returns to the centre stage: Cricket has moved on

Game returns to the centre stage: Cricket has moved on: The game of Cricket has always involved several emotions. But last week saw different kinds of emotions. It was sorrow and grief which gripped the cricketing world after the tragic death of Phil Hughes. Dark clouds of uncertainty engulfed the whole atmosphere and everyone had the same doubt. Will Cricket be the same again ever?

Time is a great healer and we finally saw both Indian and Australian teams taking on the field. The first shackles were broken by Varun Aaron by bowling the first bouncer of the game which made all the fans across the world breath a bit easier. David Warner played an ultra-aggressive knock in first innings targeting the Indian bowling unit. Cricket was returning to normalcy.

When India batted, the Indian skipper was hit on helmet on the very first ball and we all were concerned once again. When Australia batted in second innings, Australians were chirpy and started to play of their own. Australian’s usual attitude of taking it on was there and there were quite a few spats on the field. The tussle between Aaron and Warner and then between Kohli and Smith gave an indication that India Australia encounter was taking on the center stage.

Virat Kohli’s second innings hundred is one of the best knocks by an Indian in past few years. He always urged to win the game for India and never looked to play a dull draw. Indian team has been looking for some inspiration and ray of light to overcome the debacle in overseas Tests. Although Virat could not win it for India, but his pursuit has given the Indian team and his captain a direction for the future. And it is to play with aggression and this can come from Indian batsmen only.

Another superlative performer in the game was the Australian spinner Nathon Lyon. He has always been under the radar of critics who have been questioning his ability as a match winner and was often said to be picked in team as the only option available. Lyon did not do anything extravagant in fact kept things simple and stuck to a line extracting the purchase from the surface. He picked up 12 wickets in the game and proved that he is not just a support bowler to Australian pace battery but can win games on his own.

This five-day game had all, outstanding performances from individuals, the fight backs from both the teams and the high degree of competitiveness. It was a perfect series opener and has set the tone for the rest of series. But, above all a perfect game for the sport of Cricket. Cricket just needed such a match to rub off the wounds from the tragedy.  All I can say is these five days have helped the game move forward.