It was the fantastic beginning for Indian Cricket in the passing Year 2011, but the end was not so exciting.
India managed to play a draw Test series against South Africa in the beginning of the Year 2011. The series ended 1-1. In the following ODI series, India went down to 2-3 against Proteas despite of leading the series 2-1.
Riding high on the good form, India was the favourite for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in the subcontinent. It was a fabulous day For Indian Cricket when Dhoni-led Team India ended the drought of 28 years to lift the coveted trophy.
India defeated Sri Lanka in the final of ICC Cricket world Cup 2011 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
With this victory, India left behind the bitter memory of 2007 Caribbean World Cup too. It was also a dream come true for Indian batting genius Sachin Tendulkar. The master blaster had almost every honour in his illustrious career but he was not the part of a World Cup winning side. But in the year 2011, Tendulkar achieved this milestone.
On the other hand, skipper MS Dhoni become the first Indian captain to lift the two world cup titles. In 2007, Dhoni led Indian side to inaugural T20 World cup victory in South Africa.
Soon after the end of ICC Cricket World Cup, a young Team India visited West Indies under the captaincy of Suresh Raina. Raina-led Team India to victory in ODI series against West Indies. India also clinched the Test series 1-0 before embarking on a most awaited England tour.
After glorious start of the year 2011, something devastating was stored in the second half of the year.
The celebration didn’t last through the end of the year. Team India struggled with the injuries, forcing several key players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh to cut the much hyped England series midway.
India’s devastating performance during the England tour also cost it numero uno position in the Test cricket. England claimed the No.1 crown in the Test ranking for the first time after Thrashing Men in blue by 4-0. India also lost the only T20 game and five-match ODI series 5-0.
Though, India took the revenge against England in the home ODI series against. India defeated England 5-0 while lost the only T20 game in Kolkata.
Team India received another jolt when it lost the Boxing Day Test by 122 runs against Australia. It was India’s fifth consecutive overseas defeat too.
As the people are geared up to welcome the New Year 2012, we also wish Team India ‘Best of Luck.’ India will play Australia in the second Test on January 3. Dhoni & Co will try to level the series at Sydney and give New Year gift to millions of fans.
It can’t be a better New Year gift for cricket fans if Team India clinches the Test series Down Under. India is still awaiting maiden Test series victory in Australia since last 64 years.