The 2010s Decade saw some amazing, worrying and shocking incidents, but only one personality could make it to the list, Yes! Virat Kohli, the Cricketer of the 2010s Decade.
Cricket Plays brings to you the Top 10 World Cricket Moments that shook you or hooked you to your greatest interest. Spoiler– The Top spot is the UNEXPECTED, Controversial, but ‘deserving’, Had you see it coming? Please comment, or write to us.
10- Virat Kohli turns Freak
‘The Run Machine’
Legends have a Phase, Virat Kohli has a decade under his name. That makes him a Freak, a Machine, The Run Machine of World Cricket, Virat ‘Freaking’ Kohli. Virat Kohli has scored 5,775 more international runs than any other Batsmen in the 2010s Decade. 27 Tons in Tests since 24 January 2012 & 42 Tons in ODI’s since 11 January 2010, what else should one talk about. ‘Hail the King’ bow down, everyone. Currently ruling the charts in both Tests and ODI’s.
9- The curious case of KOLPAK & Corruptions: African Issue
As of now, more than 40 (43) South African Cricketers have exited from their home circuit and moved to England via the gate of Kolpak. Financial security, a higher standard of living in Britain, weakening value of domestic currencies, lesser pressure to perform, and the racial quota system in South Africa are some of the reasons that entice players to sign Kolpak deals. Kolpak is a way to play cricket in any EU nation without being considered as an overseas player.
As this issue was on a rise that the corruption allegations have been on a rise in the South African Cricket Board, so much so that recently the President of the CSA was removed and Legendary Graem Smith is appointed as the interim President to turn the Board’s fortune around.
The South African Cricket has taken a toil and is in a desperate state of a resurgence with all the hopes lies in the shoulders of Faf, Cock and the likes of Smith and Boucher.
8- Downhill of Lankan Cricket
This is the same kind of an issue, corruptions, lack of talent pool after the retirement of the Lankan Heavyweights had cost them to the extent that, once a team equivalent in the status of India now would hardly match up against an India A team. This has to be the major threat of the 2010s decade.
7- Cricket returns to Pakistan
Since 2009’s terrorist attacks in 2009, for the first time in 2019 Cricket has returned to Pakistan. The team obviously is Sri Lanka who was on the receiving end back then. Cricket in Pakistan is always a delight to witness and the return of the game is a satisfying Cricket moment of the 2010s decade.
6- The Hughes incident
27 November 2014, the saddest day of the 2010s decade. A 25-year-old Phil Hughes was hit on the neck by a bouncer and later died struggling in a state of coma for few days. As a result of Hughes’ death, calls were made for improvements to the cricket helmet, and this has resulted in new designs which have additional guards fitted to the rear of the helmet. The entire Cricket World along with Australia mourned the death of Hughes, Michael Clarke, the then Aussie skipper continued to wear a black armband with Hughes’s initials on it through to the final of the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
5- The IPL (Indian Premier League)
Shiny as Sunshine, dark as Darkness, the marquee tournament of them all, the IPL, has left no stone unturned to prove itself as the Best among the rest. The tournament has grown rapidly in value over the years 2016-18, as seen in a series of jumps in value from one season to the next. The IPL as a whole was valued by financial experts at US$4.16 billion in 2016, but that number grew to $5.3 billion in 2017, and $6.13 billion in 2018. The valuation of the individual franchises themselves varies, with the top valued teams being the Mumbai Indians ($113 million) and the Kolkata Knight Riders ($104 million).
4- India lifts the magnum opus after 28 years
India won the tournament, defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the final at the Wankhede, Mumbai. MS Dhoni, the Mr Cool had demonstrated his ability on the biggest of occasions, with his match-winning 91* in the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2011, which helped India chase a humongous target to lift the title. CWC Greatest Moments is when Dhoni finished it off in some style and ending the drought of World Cup, by lifting the trophy. Yuvraj Singh was the star performer of the tournament and the tournament served as a perfect token of a gift for all the legends that retired just before or after 2011, who worked hard to make India a team that it is today, Salute-to-the-Legends.
3- England breaks the Jinx
The 2019 Cricket World Cup was hosted by England and Wales. England defeated the defending champions, Australia, in the second semi-final to play New Zealand in the final. Neither finalist had up to this point won the Cricket World Cup. In the final, the scores were tied at 241 after 50 overs and the match went to a super over. After the super over, scores were again tied at 15. Therefore, the match was tied, but the World Cup was won by England, owing to a greater boundary count than New Zealand in their respective batting innings. Ben Stokes emerged as the Miracle Man for the English Lads.
2- The infamous Ball-Tampering Saga ft. Smith & co.
Also known as the Sandpapergate scandal, In March 2018, during the third Test match against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town, Cameron Bancroft was caught by television cameras trying to rough up one side of the ball with sandpaper to make it swing in flight. Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were found to be involved and all three received unprecedented sanctions from Cricket Australia. Smith and Warner were handed a year ban and were treated like traitors and terrorists. The CA faced the heat of the public as major reforms had to be made afterwards. The cricket world was divided as few criticised the ban and others appreciated it. But, for a fact, for the rest of their lives, a cheater tag will always be associated with them.
1- Guess? the Top cricket story of the 2010s decade
Worldwide Acceptance of Women Cricket (mainly in India)
If India embraces something, it makes sure to give it all it has, and Yes! It has now embraced the Women Cricket. Talks of Women IPL is the fact to prove that. But, Is India ready for a women cricket market as it is for men? If India is ready and supports the Women Cricket, the future of Women Cricketers could be weighed in Diamonds.
This is it, Our top 10 moments of the 2010s decade, Did we miss any? Please let us Know. What’s yours anyway?
