Highs of World Champs : Kohli coming of age

Stand of a Resolute ‘Wall’, Rahul Dravid

The only bright spot in the dismal England tour was the resolute stance of ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid. He completed his 13,000 Test runs while touring West Indies where India won both the Test and ODI series.

`The Wall` continued to show his excellence in England as well, where Team India collapsed innings after innings in the four match Test series and Dravid emerged as the only Indian player to perform in English conditions.

The Home Advantage

Touted to be the Revenge series, India blanked England 5-0 in the ODI series back home. A collective team effort, India actually blew away the visitors in the Limited over format with Virat Kohli topping the batting charts followed by Gambhir and MS Dhoni. Trott was the only English batsmen to score over 200 runs in the five match series.

The bowling chart was also headed by Indians- Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin.

Sehwag’s total double dominance

Sehwag’s 219 runs in 149 balls came against a spirited West Indies side who surprisingly put up a good fight in all the ODIs barring one, better than what England had done. That one exception came at Indore when the Nawab of Najafgarh finally did what was expected of him – to score a double century in ODI. He did it in his own style demolishing the West Indian attack to all parts of the Holkar stadium.

In the process he helped India post their highest ODI total of 418 for 5 and also broke the highest individual record of 200 not out that Sachin had scored at Gwalior less than two years back.

The Century of centuries

It came in the Asia Cup, finally against Bangladesh in 136 balls as Sachin Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score 100 international tons. The all elusive ton was a long overdue for the Master. The anticipation had started from the England tour. The first Test at Lord’s was the 2000th Test, 100th between the two countries and from there on every time the master came out bat, people expected him to socre the 100th 100.

But it took his one year and four days to achieve the feat but the wait was worth it, Sadly, Bangladesh won the match but even they were a part of the history in the making.

Kohli coming of age

He had shown his prowess during the World Cup and at Hobart when he played a swashbuckling 133 against the Lankans, he had come of age. The arrogant and brash Delhi brat had become the next big thing and going into Asia Cup the mantle of vice captain was a hint that even the management agreed to the populate view. His knock of 183 again showed the class the youngster possessed and the dearth of Talent Indian has at their disposal.