Cricket is known to be a game in which even a small innings can change the momentum of the game. Impactful cricket innings have the power to transcend the boundaries of the sport leaving an indelible mark on the audience and fans of the game. Such innings often serve as a source of motivation for other players of the team when all seems lost. What sets these kinds of impactful innings apart from other innings is the display of the sheer resilience, skill, technique, temperament, confidence, mindset, and ability to show up on such occasions. Through this article, we look at ten such impactful and significant innings in cricket history.
1. Virender Sehwag
On their tour of Sri Lanka in 2008, India faced a troublesome duo of Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis. In this spin carnage, Sehwag managed to play an innings that would be remembered in the future years to come. Sehwag batted continuously for two days and scored 201 runs in just 231 balls. Sehwag scored 62% of India’s run and tackled the Sri Lankan bowling line-up effortlessly.
2. VVS Laxman
While playing against Australia in 2000-01, India was 232 for four wickets. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid were both at the crease and will play one of the best Test partnerships ever. VVS Laxman played a significant innings of 281 and collected 44 boundaries in his long and resilient innings. He played through the fourth day and was dismissed only when India went for declaration.
3. Neil Johnson
Pakistan scored 296 and Zimbabwe struggled at 63 with four wickets lost. Johnson walked in and demolished one of the greatest bowling quartets which consisted of Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Aaqib Javed and Mushtaq Ahmed. He carried his team to a score of 155 and was dismissed. The rest of the job was done by the remaining batsmen and tailenders, and this led to Zimbabwe attaining their greatest Test victory ever.
4. Brian Lara
West Indies were struggling at 105 for five wickets against Australia in 1988-89 when the legendary Brian Lara came out to bat. Brian Lara showed great resilience and grit. He was given a bit of support by the non-strikers as well and managed to win the game for West Indies with just one wicket remaining.
5. Kapil Dev
The Indian captain for the 1983 World Cup, Kapil Dev had a big responsibility on himself to lead his team to victories and hopefully win the World Cup too. In a match against Zimbabwe, India had a challenging target of 239 runs. In the chase, India found themselves in a dire and hopeless situation of 17 for five wickets looking forward to a potential defeat. It was at this moment that Kapil Dev walked out, with the huge responsibility of keeping India’s hopes alive looming on his shoulders. His fearless approach helped him to pull off an impactful innings of 175 runs and secure the win for India even from such a bad position. Unfortunately, BBC did not telecast this match and the world could not witness the great innings.
6. Andrew Flintoff
Known to be one of the most feared bowlers of first-class cricket, Andrew Flintoff proved his worth to the world when he played an impactful innings for England in 2005 against Australia. Flintoff’s heroics helped England to win the thrilling Ashes test match.
7. Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes’ innings of 135 not out against Australia at Headingley during the 2019 Ashes series is widely remembered as one of the most impactful cricket innings in test cricket history. This inning helped England not only win the test match by just one wicket but also leveled the series. Ben Stokes’ 135 not out stands as a testament that anything can be achieved with courage, skill, and determination.
8. Don Bradman
Don Bradman, the legendary batsman, played an impactful innings of 270 against England during the Ashes in 1936-37. This innings helped Australia to win not only the test match but also the Ashes series.
9. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist scored an impactful innings of 149 against Sri Lanka during 2007 World Cup which helped Australia to clinch their 3rd consecutive World Cup trophy. Gilchrist showed great confidence and aggression while playing this knock.
10. Imran Khan
Imran Khan’s unbeaten 72 against England at Lord’s remains a defining moment in his career and a testament to his remarkable skill, determination, and leadership. It stands as a memorable innings that not only shaped his career but also left a mark on Pakistan cricket. When Pakistan needed 136 runs to win with just one wicket in hand, Imran Khan walked out to bat and led his team to an improbable victory.
