5 T20i centuries went in vain
T-20 is a game of only 240 deliveries, its an entertainment of 3 hours, all the teams try to score as many runs as possible, despite only 120 balls to bat for in an innings there are some batsmen who scored centuries in this short format.
T-20 has been become a format of many surprises and changes, we have seen some of the most classic close encounters as well as a complete annihilation with both bat and ball from a team, we have seen that most of the teams don't exactly know how much to score or sometimes how to chase down a total.
We have seen how a brilliant bowling performance or a batting performance wasn't enough to prevent a defeat, it sometimes as a Cricket fan disheartening to see a brilliant performance to go in vain, but it still don't take the credibility away from the person who performed on that given day, let us discuss 5 centuries that went in vain:
1. Chris Gayle Vs. South Africa 2007
ICC, after understanding the value (both entertainment and Economic) of T-20 format, decided to take the format a little but seriously, international cricket which has two formats (tests and one dayers), with the longest format is facing a steep decline, ICC decided to include this (T-20) format in the international fixtures.
The biggest step which was taken by ICC was to start an World Cup tournament in 2007 for this format, this tournament was held after just 5 months of 2007 Cricket World Cup (50 overs in West Indies), host of this format was South Africa.
In 2003, the first 50 overs world Cup was played in South Africa (co hosted by Zimbabwe and Kenya) and the first match was played between South Africa and West Indies, on that day Brian Lara's brilliant century proved enough as West Indies defeated Proteas by just 3 runs but unfortunately in 2007, Chris Gayle's century wasn't enough to defeat South Africa.
On September 11, 2007, at Johannesburg,West Indies faced South Africa, skipper Shaun Pollock ask Windies to bat first, Chris Gayle (117) and Devon Smith (35) gave Windies an ideal start at, they made (then world record opening partnership) 145 runs for the first wicket, ultimately West Indies finished at 205/6, Chris Gayle scored the first ever century in T20 internationals.
However, South Africa batted brilliantly in their reply, Gibbs (90*) leading the way, South Africa chased down the total (208/2) with ease in 17.4 overs.
2. Rohit Sharma Vs. South Africa 2015
Rohit Sharma, always has the talent and hunger for success but was unable to perform the way it was expected from a batter of his quality, at one point of time, despite being criticised by various experts (due to non-perfomance) for giving him a long rope Dhoni and team India management chose to ignore the noise and support Rohit, because they have confidence in Rohit's ability.
It was in 2013 Champions Trophy, when Rohit Sharma was asked to open with Shikhar Dhawan that he started to performed well with the bat and just a few months after Champions Trophy Rohit also scored first of his three double centuries, Rohit has now cemented his place at the Indian team.
It can be said that had Rohit wasn't provided with those opportunities we might have missed out on a modern day great, we all very much aware, how destructive can Rohit Sharma become, when he gets going on his merry ways.
In 2015, South Africa toured India to play 4 match test series, 5 match one day series and 3 match T20I series, In the first match of the T20 series, South Africa won the toss and elected to field first, India lost Shikhar Dhawan at the score of 22 but Rohit Sharma (106) and Virat Kohli stitched an important partnership of 138 runs, India ended their innings on 199/5.
Chasing 200, both South African openers Hashim Amla (36) and A B Deviliers (51) started brilliantly but 3 quick wickets brought India back into the match but the unbroken partnership of 105 runs between Jean Paul Duminy (68*) and Ferhaan Behardien (32) helped Proteas to win the first match of the series by 7 wickets, South Africa also won the next match as well as the series, the third and final match of the series was abandoned, so series was won by South Africa with 2-0 result.
South Africa then defeated India in the one day series 3-2, and India defeated South Africa in the test series by 3-0 result.
3. K L Rahul Vs. West Indies 2016
K L Rahul is one of those cricketer whose career has been so far a roller coaster ride, he started his international career with 3 runs in the first innings and 1 run in the second innings against Australia, but then scored a brilliant century against the same side in his second match.
He scored a century in his first ODI match against Zimbabwe and become the first Indian batsmen to score a century in his debut match in one day internationals and also a golden duck against the same team in his T20I debut.
Over the years, Rahul has been proved a top performer in the IPL, however whenever he was back in Indian jersey he was not able to perform the way he was expected, his inconsistencies were hurting both team's and his career's progress, but his recent form suggests that he is back in business with runs under his belt and also considered as the next Captain it seems that his time has indeed arrived.
In 2016, India toured West Indies to play 4- match test series, BCCI met with West Indies Cricket Board officials requested to add a 2 match T20I series in the itinary, Team India defeated West Indies 2-0 in the test series.
In the first match of the T20I series, India won the toss and elected to field first, Windies openers gave their team a brilliant start with Johnson Charles (79) and Evin Lewis (100*) made 126 runs (in just 9.3 overs) for 1st wicket.
After the dismissal of Johnson, Lewis took charge and along with Andre Russell (22) added another 78 runs, both Andre and Lewis got out one after the another but Windies were already in Prime position (205/5 in 15.5 overs), West Indies ended their innings at 245/6.
With a huge total to chase, India started brilliantly but were looked in a spot of bother at 48/2 (4.4 overs), Rahul walked into the crease with no time to spare, Rahul went into business along with Rohit (62) he added another 89 runs (137/3, in 11.5 overs).
Dhoni (43) walked into to bat and both Rahul (110*) and Dhoni made 107 runs partnership, a score which was never looked like attainable was right there to grasp, in the final over India required just eight runs to win but the biggest challenge they need to make it against Dwayne Bravo.
It was indeed a challenge for Dhoni, the finisher who most of the times finished the game for his team, it was a proven expertise, yes he has failed sometimes but most of the times he has finished the matches on his own.
It was a challenge for Rahul at the other end he had a champion bowler who proved himself on multiple occassions that he is the master of handling things in this type of scenarios, Rahul who has done so far so well for his team just need to do what he was doing already victory was there to take for him.
It was challenge for Bravo, he proved himself in situations like these previously, yet he was bowling against one of the best finishers of the game at one end, and on another end he also had a set, in-form batsman,another problem.
Unfortunately that day Dhoni got out at the final ball of the innings and Bravo has the final laugh i India required just 2 runs to win, but Bravo made it a huge challenge for India and at last he proved again that he is indeed a champion bowler.
Rahul remained not out but looked dejected, he did all the things possible to bring his team closer to target but still not able to achieve it, Dhoni looked unhappy too but sometimes some targets, some finishes, does not go the way you wanted, sometimes some tasks remains unfinished but you have to accept it and move on....
4. Liam Livingstone Vs Pakistan 2021
After their disastrous 2015 World Cup, England management decided that they will also need to be at their best in White ball cricket, England had always had a good side in tests England's men's team (Seniors) had won only one ICC tournament (2010 T20 World Cup) in all these years..
Andrew Strauss, became Director of England Cricket team and he decided to bring some of the best changes that eventually transformed the way England used to play in limited overs cricket, under his supervision the best cricketers of white ball were included into the National team.
The thought process has been changed now this new Looking outfit play positive or aggressive cricket, talent was already there now it was mixed with aggression and it gave England a phenomenal Rise in limited overs cricket, which helped them to win their most elusive title the 50 overs World Cup, the team is now filled with matchwinners, few of them were: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Joffra Archer, Liam Livingstone, etc.
Pakistan toured England in July 2021 to play 3 match ODI series and 3 match T20I series, England defeated Pakistan 3-0 in the one dayers and now it was the turn of T20s.
In the 1st match, England after winning the toss decided to bowl first, Pakistan openers Mohammed Rizwan (63) and Babar Azam (85) gave a strong start they made 150 runs for the opening partnership, with helped Pakistan to reach a huge total 232/6.
It was a huge Mountain to climb, England attacked the bowlers from the very start, runs were coming thick and fast but England were also losing wickets as well, but at the other end it was Liam Livingstone who was keeping the chase alive for hosts.
Livingstone (103) scored an important century but at the score of 183, he got out at that Point of time, England needed 52 off 21 balls, it was a huge task but in T-20 it was still gettable but unfortunately Livingstone got out at the right moment and England were bowled out for 201, Pakistan won the match by 31 runs.
5. Suryakumar Yadav Vs England 2022
After years of toiling hard, making runs in domestic cricket and in IPL, he was making his presence felt, unfortunately for Suryakumar his wait for a national call up was long, a talented guy who has his own style of play was at last got his National cap at the age of 30.
He has made a tweet about his Inclusion and mentioned that dreams do come true he also showed his gratitude to all the people who supported him in his time of struggle and believed in him, in his potentials, now it was his turn to make his stay longer.
He has started well and in a positive note he has proved his efficiency so far, yes he has to play longer and every other opposition and in more testing conditions to prove more of his abilities, but so far he seemed like a guy who can be a floater and play in different batting position, but it would be safe to say that he would be staying in the middle order more often.
In 2022, India toured England to play the fifth and final test match of their test series that was cancelled in September 2021, due to Covid 19 cases in Indian camp, also a 3 match ODI and T20 series was scheduled.
England won the final test match and ended the highly entertaining test series with a 2-2 result, Team India then started the T20 series in a very positive note, they won the first two matches and the series as well, now they have an opportunity for a series whitewash against host England.
In the third and final T20 match, England won the toss and elected to bat first and on the back of a Dawid Malan's (77) brilliant half-century reached to 215/7, a huge total to defend.
In reply, Indian batsmen were unable to get a good start and at one stage looked in huge trouble when they were at 31/3, already-in Surya then joined hands with Shreyas Iyer (28) and both stitched an important partnership of 119 runs.
After the dismissal of Shreyas none of the other batsmen were able to give proper support to Surya but till the time Surya was in, India were into the chase, with just 25 to get in 8 balls Surya was dismissed on a well made 117, which unfortunately wasn't enough to get the job done England won the match by 17 runs and finish the series with 2-1 result, India won the subsequent ODI series with 2-1 result and finished a (overall) very successful England tour.
Unfortunately, this list features 3 Indian batters, but hopefully this would not happen again, keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks for reading.
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