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Throwback to an iconic redemption: When Hirwani havoc turned catastrophic for NZ

Shreyasi

Narendra Hirwani [Source: X/@ICC]Narendra Hirwani [Source: X/@ICC]

Narendra Hirwani's phenomenal debut in 1988 against the West Indies that steered India to victory made him an overnight sensation. However, it was Hirwani's comeback to Test cricket, on this day in 1995, that made him even more celebrated.

Spectacular debut followed by a five-year hiatus

On this day in 1995, Narendra Hirwani, the Indian leg spinner, created a storm with his return to international cricket. He singlehandedly thrashed New Zealand to earn the Player of the Match award after delivering a magical spell. 

Narendra Hirwani made leg-spin fashionable before the arrival of Shane Warne. After his sensational debut in 1988, he struggled to find success outside India. It was a jaw-dropping performance for a 19-year-old claiming 16/136 against the West Indies. 

However, following the emergence of a bunch of talented spinners like Anil Kumble, Venkatapati Raju, and Rajesh Chauhan, Hirwani gradually faded from the international arena. 

After his disappointing performances abroad during the tours of the West Indies and New Zealand, many thought the 1990 Chandigarh Test to be Hirwani's final appearance for India in the whites. But destiny had an unexpected twist in store.

Thanks to his brilliance in the domestic circuit, Hirwani earned a recall to Test cricket after five years. The Test series against New Zealand commenced in October 1995 with the first match held in Bangalore. India secured a comfortable win, and Kumble celebrated his 100th Test wicket milestone.

Due to bad weather, only 71.1 overs were bowled in the Chennai Test. Roger Twose, the debutant, could not bat as New Zealand did not get a chance to bat.

Hirwani’s spin magic in Cuttack

In the third Test, India dropped Raju and Chauhan, and Hirwani made his way back to the Indian cricket team after nearly five years. India went with two leg spinners and one off-spinner to complete their spin attack- Hirwani, Kumble, and Ashish Kapoor.

The Cuttack Test mirrored the conditions of the Chennai contest. With a session of the first day completely washed out and play ending early due to bad light, India could score a mere 120/3. Days two and three were completely washed out. On day four, thanks to the handy contributions from Ajay Jadeja (45), Nayan Mongia (45*), Ashish Kapoor (42), and Navjot Singh Sidhu (41), India reached 296/8.

Narendra Hirwani's comeback in Cuttack [Source: X/@ICC]Narendra Hirwani's comeback in Cuttack [Source: X/@ICC]

The fifth and final day appeared with clear weather, allowing a full day's play. India declared their first innings early in the morning, and finally, Roger Twose got a chance to bat after 10 days of his debut.

Twose and Mark Greatbatch put on 86 for the first wicket before Hirwani started to get some purchase and looked as dangerous as he had in his early days. He broke the partnership by dismissing Greatbatch for 50 and claimed his first wicket.

Twose was Hirwani's second wicket, and that was it. Hirwani refused to stop. He continued to trouble the New Zealand batters, claiming wickets at regular intervals. 

Eventually, he dismissed all five top-order New Zealand batters and finished with an impressive figure of 6 for 59 in 31 overs. The day and match ended with New Zealand scoring 175/8 in the second innings, but Hirwani earned the player of the match in a memorable redemption.