Cricket is a very famous game all over the world. When we talk about Australia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, England, South Africa,NewZealand, West Indies, if the game is played in the home country or in the home ground, people get more excited and enjoy the game.
A well-deserved mention is of the semi-final of the Hero Cup held at Eden Gardens, Kolkatta, India on 24th November 1993. The match between India and South Africa turned out to be a nail-biter with Sachin Tendulkar snatching the ball from Azharuddin (c) and taking the daunting task in his own hands. With just six runs to get and two wickets in hand, it could have been anyone’s game. Captain Azharuddin, and his mates discussed on the ground who should bowl the last over. Ultimately Azharuddin gave ball to Sachin Tendulkar to bowl the last over. We did'nt know it's going to be a good decision or not.
Tendulkar started bowling the last over to South Africa's Mc Millan and ball was so close to Mc Millan and he sqaure cut the ball and ran fast and at the other end De viller ran faster and tried for a second and Mc Millan said no but De viller had already ran and De viller got run out, and still South Africa need 5 runs of 5 balls.
Donald, the new batsman, was not a specialist batsman and needed to score runs and save his wicket. Both the teams had equal chances of winning the game now. Tendulkar bowled the next bowl straight to the wicket keeper Yashpal Yadav. Donald tried to play the ball and he missed it. But no worries still South Africa had a good chance of winning the game.
Donald was trying to change the strike and give it to his mate Mc Millan who in good form. Tendulkar bowled the third ball and Donald played defense and straight back to bowler. One more ball wasted and the spectators were getting more excited with the heart breaking thriller game.
Tendulkar was coming to bowl his fourth ball and the I could hear nothing in ground as everybody was silent and waiting for one more dot ball to make the chances of winning the game for India. Tendulkar bowled some what wide and Donald was looking at the Umpire Steve Bucknor to call wide but Umpire said nothing. The crowd started whistling, shouting and thanks to Steve Bucknor.
Now except a couple of players all the players came in the circle and very close to the pitch as they didn't want to give a single run. A single can also make a difference in cricket game. Here the wicket keeper and bowler were discussing for the next ball's strategy. Tendulkar bowled the fifth ball and this time Donald hit the ball but straight to a fielder, but he took one single and strike changed.
The Last ball and South Africa needed 4 runs to win the match. The man Mc Millan had all the hopes for South Africa and Tendulkar was ready to finish the match and he bowled the final ball. Mc Millan tried to hit the ball but Tendulkar bowled inside the leg stump and Mc Millan could not get a chance to hit the ball. He missed it and Indians were enjoying the thriller match and going through to the Finals of Hero Cup.
Cricket is a game of win or loss and we should take it as just a game. But this kind of thriller makes me so excited. I always become more involved in the game when I see the heartbreaking movement in sports. I hope everybody enjoyed with this thriller.
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