From Kohli's Batting Masterclass to Brathwaite's Blitzkrieg: Top 10 Iconic Cricketing Moments in 2016
Indian team celebrates after defeating Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2016 (ICC Twitter)
The year 2016 remains etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts as it was marked by an array of unforgettable moments that captivated fans worldwide. From dramatic last-gasp sixes that salvaged matches from the jaws of defeat, to electrifying stumpings that left spectators in awe, the year was a rollercoaster ride of thrilling performances that kept cricket buffs on the edge of their seats.
The cricketing world witnessed a plethora of nail-biting innings that held the attention of fans for hours, while viral celebrations added to the overall excitement. 2016 was a year of unprecedented success for the cricketing world, with the T20 Cricket World Cup attaining great heights and test matches becoming more outcome-oriented. Alongside the emergence of fresh talent, new records were also created on the field.
As we look back at the year that was, we present to you the top ten iconic moments in cricket in 2016 that enlivened the sport across the world:
10. Temba Bavuma's stunning run-out of David Warner
In the first Test of the series between Australia and South Africa at Perth, Temba Bavuma produced one of the most memorable moments in cricket history with his stunning run-out of David Warner. Australia had started positively, adding 52 runs in quick time before Bavuma's brilliance got South Africa their first wicket.
Temba Bavuma's acrobatic effort runs out David Warner (Twitter)
In the second ball of the 13th over, bowled by Kagiso Rabada, Warner set off for a quick single after pushing the ball to covers. Bavuma sprinted from point, picked up the ball one-handed, went airborne, and unleashed the throw, which crashed into the middle stump at the non-striker's end. Bavuma's remarkable display of athleticism and accuracy will go down as one of the greatest moments in cricket history.
9. Afghanistan stun West Indies with historic victory at T20 World Cup
In a historic moment in cricket, the Afghanistan cricket team stunned the world by beating the West Indies in the T20 World Cup at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur. After setting a target of 123, Afghanistan managed to stop the West Indies at 117 to secure a memorable six-run victory.
Afghan players celebrate after their win vs West Indies (ICC Twitter)
Najibullah Zadran was awarded the Man-of-the-Match title for his unbeaten 48 runs that paved the way for the team's win. Despite their modest total, the Afghanistan team defended it brilliantly and bowled out the entire West Indies team.
8. Virat Kohli leads India to claim Test mace
Virat Kohli led India to the top of the Test rankings, and they were rewarded with the prestigious test mace after a dominant showing against New Zealand.
Virat Kohli holds Test mace (ICC Twitter)
The mace was presented to Kohli by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar after India's clean sweep over New Zealand. The Indian team was already assured of finishing at the top of the rankings, but it was a proud moment for Kohli to hold the mace after the whitewash.
7. South Africa inflict ODI whitewash on Australia
In a historic moment in cricket, South Africa inflicted a 5-0 whitewash on reigning world champions Australia in the ODI series at Newlands. Despite missing three of their top fast bowlers and batsman Shaun Marsh, Australia was expected to put up a strong showing after winning 4-1 against Sri Lanka.
South Africa whitewashed Australia 5-0 at home (ICC Twitter)
However, the hosts proved to be too strong, chasing down totals of 295, 372, and 328 in the first three matches before bowling out Australia for 219 in the fourth game. The final match saw Australia conceding 327 and falling short by 31 runs to complete an embarrassing whitewash.
6. Plunkett's heroics help England secure a dramatic tie vs Sri Lanka
The first ODI between England and Sri Lanka at Nottingham was a riveting encounter that saw England's Liam Plunkett produce a heroic innings to help his team secure a dramatic tie. Sri Lanka had set England a daunting target of 287, and the hosts were struggling at 82-6.
Liam Plunkett smashed a six off the last ball to level the scores (YouTube)
However, an excellent partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes brought them back into contention. In the final over, England required 14 runs to win, but some excellent bowling from Nuwan Pradeep meant that they needed 10 runs off the last two balls. Plunkett came to the crease and smashed a six over mid-off to tie the match, leaving both teams with a share of the spoils.
5. Pakistan's push-up celebration at Lord's after defeating England
The Pakistan cricket team created history with their triumph over England in a Test match at the hallowed grounds of Lord's. In the wake of their remarkable victory, the team celebrated in style with a push-up celebration, a promise made by their captain Misbah-ul-Haq to the Pakistani army. The iconic celebration, first introduced by Misbah-ul-Haq after his century against England in July, saw the entire team perform the synchronized push-ups in unison.
Pakistan players celebrate their win by doing push-ups (ICC Twitter)
The Test match had been a closely contested battle, with Pakistan ultimately emerging victorious by a margin of 75 runs after England failed to achieve the target of 283 runs. The push-up celebration by the Pakistan team was a fitting tribute to their remarkable performance and showcased the team's unity and camaraderie.
4. Virat Kohli’s record-breaking 973 runs with four centuries in the IPL
Virat Kohli's batting prowess was on full display during his sensational 2016 season in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The prolific Indian cricketer showcased remarkable consistency with the bat, amassing a whopping 973 runs with an outstanding average of 81.08 across 16 games. His remarkable run was studded with seven half-centuries and an astounding four centuries, making him the first batsman in the history of the IPL to achieve such a feat.
Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring a century in IPL 2016
Kohli's 2016 season was a record-breaking affair, and he set numerous milestones along the way. His highest score of 113 and 38 sixes propelled him to new heights of excellence, and his unbeatable form left opposing teams in awe. No other batter in the IPL's history has been able to match the staggering stats of Kohli's incredible 2016 campaign. Despite the dynamic batter's heroics, his team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fell short in the final, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight runs. Nevertheless, Kohli's historic season will forever be remembered as a masterclass in consistency and an exemplar of record-breaking feats in the tournament.
3. Virat Kohli's 82* against Australia which led India to the semifinals of T20 World Cup
Virat Kohli's unbeaten knock of 82 runs against Australia in the World T20 was a spectacle of fine batting skills and an absolute treat for cricket aficionados worldwide. India was facing a daunting task with a score of 94-4 in the fourteenth over, but Kohli's blistering performance was nothing short of magical. He unleashed his full repertoire of shots, piercing the field with precision and hitting the ball to all corners of the park.
Virat Kohli emotional after guiding India to a win vs Australia (ICC Twitter)
Kohli later hailed this innings as his best in the format, and rightfully so. The former captain’s sublime display of stroke-making was the most significant contribution in chasing down a target of 161. The dynamic batter’s sensational performance was a sight to behold and will go down in cricketing history as one of the greatest individual displays in the sport.
2. Dhoni's last-ball run-out vs Bangladesh in T20 World Cup
The match between India and Bangladesh in the World T20 left cricket enthusiasts spellbound with its nail-biting finish. The outcome of the match hinged on the final ball, with Bangladesh requiring a mere two runs to secure a historic win. Hardik Pandya, who was entrusted with the task of bowling the last over, delivered a short ball outside the off-stump.
MS Dhoni runs out Mustafizur Rahman (ICC Twitter)
The batter missed it completely, and Dhoni, who was positioned behind the stumps, moved with lightning speed to collect the ball. With split-second reflexes, he whipped off the bails in a flash, leaving the batsman stranded outside the crease. The on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire, who declared the batsman out. The stadium erupted with deafening roars as India clinched an incredible victory by a solitary run.
1. Carlos Brathwaite's blitzkrieg takes West Indies to T20 World Cup glory
The final of the T20 World Cup 2016 witnessed an enthralling clash between England and West Indies, with both teams vying to claim the coveted trophy for the second time. England's batting line-up stumbled early on, however, a partnership between Jos Butler and Joe Root provided the much-needed stability for England and propelled England to a respectable total of 155. In response, West Indies got off to a faltering start, with their top-order collapsing to 11 for 3, a precarious position that appeared to doom their hopes of victory. However, a resilient Marlon Samuels refused to surrender, forming partnerships with Dwayne Bravo and Brathwaite to bring West Indies back into the game.
Carlos Brathwaite ecstatic after guiding West Indies to their second T20 World Cup (Twitter)
With only 19 runs required from the last over, Ben Stokes took the ball, but it was Brathwaite who emerged as the hero of the hour. In an incredible display of hitting, Brathwaite struck four consecutive sixes to seal victory for West Indies. The jubilant scenes that followed saw Ian Bishop's exclamation of "Remember the name!" echoing through the commentary box. Stokes was left in tears as West Indies celebrated a remarkable win, and Brathwaite became a household name in the cricketing world.
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