Best and Worst of 2012: India

December 30, 2012

As the year draws to a close, we look back on the best and worst of Indian cricket both on and off the field.


Best of Indian cricket in 2012: The return of Yuvraj

When Yuvraj Singh was diagnosed with lung cancer, an entire nation had mourned. His speedy recovery and subsequent return to the Indian team was the high point in the year for a team that lacked any on-field brilliance. When Yuvraj took to the field for the opening encounter of India's World T20 adventure, a whole nation breathed a sigh of relief. The man who had delivered India 2 major ICC trophies was back in action. He took his time to get going though and only really made an impact a few months later with an innings of 76 during India's victory against England in the first test match of that series.

Worst of Indian cricket in 2012: The defeat in Mumbai

In a year full of disappointment, this had to be the icing on the cake. Its easy to look at the whitewash down under but India's lowest ebb was achieved when the spinners were completely outbowled on an absolute landmine in Mumbai. Everything had been tilted in India's favour for this match. They had the series lead, a track which turned from the first morning and they even won the toss. All of that however, could not save the Indians. They were systematically dismantled. First, the batting did not come good and then Kevin Pietersen played the innings of a lifetime. The third innings collapse meant England could canter to victory on the fourth afternoon. It turned the tide of the series and the defeat in Kolkata handed England the series. The series defeat condemned India to their first home defeat in eight years.

Tony Grieg passes away aged 66

The world of cricket was in mourning as the news leaked through of Tony Grieg's passing. The former England captain succumbed to lung cancer. He was 66 years old.

Grieg was always a controversial figure and was associated with many rebel series such as World Series Cricket back in the 1970's as the head of the Packer revolution and more recently, with the now defunct Indian Cricket League. Grieg was also a renowned commentator and media personality for over 30 years. He last covered the World T20 in Sri Lanka earlier this year.

As a cricketer, Grieg was know as a hard hitting batsmen and a medium pace bowler. His most controversial statement came before the West Indies toured England in 1976 where he proclaimed his intention to make the West Indians grovel. That statement is now infamous as the English were beaten 3-0 by the West Indies. Grieg was always one to speak his mind about cricketing matters.

He will be sorely missed by the entire cricketing community.

Pakistan ride on Jamshed ton to win first ODI

India vs Pakistan, 1st One Day International, Chennai

Pakistan 228-4 (Jamshed 101*, Younus 58) beat India 227-6 (Dhoni 113*, Junaid 4-43) by six wickets

Pakistan rode on a superb century from Nasir Jamshed to take a 1-0 lead in the series against India. Jamshed batted with patience and poise after the Pakistani bowling had restricted the hosts to 227 earlier in the day. MS Dhoni's brilliant 113 was all in vain as Jamshed, who was well supported by Younus Khan, brought up his hundred with a pull past mid-wicket that took Pakistan to within four runs of victory. Shoaib Malik sealed it with a boundary. India also had an injury scare as Virat Kohli limped off the field after slipping during bowling his last over.

Earlier, Junaid Khan was instrumental in demolishing the Indian top order through swing and seam. He kept hitting timber as 3 of his 4 wickets were bowled. Rohit Sharma then received a devilish leg cutter which bounced on him and was snaffled at 3rd slip by Mohammad Hafeez to reduce India to 29-5. Dhoni then engineered a recovery and was well supported by Suresh Raina and Ashwin as India managed to put up 227 in their 50 over.

That seemed a competitive score as Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, on debut, got rid of Hafeez with his first ball. Azhar Ali was dismissed soon after but Younus and Jamshed then formed a partnership which the Indians found difficult to break. Both had poor umpiring decisions to thank for not ending their innings earlier. Jamshed was caught of the bowling of Ashwin at slip from an inside edge onto pad while Younus should have been adjudged lbw. Yuvraj Singh then put down Jamshed when he was on 66, and that effectively sealed India's fate.

Pakistan begin tour with a win

India vs Pakistan, First Twenty20, Bangalore
Pakistan 134-5( Hafeez 61, Malik 57*) beat India 133-9( Gambhir 43, Gul 3-19)

Pakistan sealed their first victory in t20 internationals against India thanks to composed innings from Hafeez and Shoaib Malik to guide them to their target on a sporting wicket. India did themselves no favours by collapsing in a heap. Ajmal and Gul were the chief wreckers. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar made quite an impression by picking up 3 early wickets on debut. The delivery to get rid of Umar Akmal a particularly vicious inswinger. Hafeez and Malik then steadied the ship before Malik was able to close out a cliffhanger.

England block out India to seal series

India vs England, Fourth Test, Nagpur

England sealed the series in attritional fashion with a defensive minded performance in Nagpur. after making 330 in their first innings, England had to hold on for the last 2 days as India tried to extract some life out of a dead surface. Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell denied India this opportunity on the final day as England registered their first win in India in 27 years.

England worked themselves into a solid position during the first four days of the game by batting well and making sure that the Indians did not get any quick runs. On the final day, they clung on denying them wickets. It was made easier by a deathly slow pitch and a toothless Indian bowling attack. Questions will be raised from an Indian perspective particularly regarding the captaincy and the strange tactics used.