2022, year of cricket comebacks: Hardik Pandya to England 'Bazball'

New Delhi:

Cricket is a sport that evokes a thousand emotions. Each year, as a fan of a particular team or player, you witness some memorable wins and some memorable losses. On one corner, a team or players fall from grace, while on the other, a miraculous comeback is made that has been remembered for centuries. 2022 was no different. There were also some inspiring stories of comebacks this year. Let’s take a look at them:

1) Hardik Pandya becomes superstar after leading Gujarat Titans to first IPL win

Early 2022, many had written about this promising all-rounder due to his fitness issues. It looked like his back had given up on him. Venkatesh Iyer, a new all-rounder who impressed in IPL 2021, with 370 runs in 10 matches with four fifties and three wickets, seemed to be on the right track. Iyer was able to hit anywhere and delivered some pace overs with the ball. It seemed that before he fulfilled his full potential, Pandya was slowly fading from the main side and Iyer was a perfect successor for him.

But then came IPL 2022, one of the new franchise, Gujarat Titans put their faith in Pandya. The all-rounder delivered quality performances, which justified the support he received. Pandya was not only an incredible captain, cool and tactically sound, but also showed his full potential as an all-rounder. He played a big part in GT’s victory in their first season. He scored 487 runs in 15 games at an average of 44.27 and four half-centuries. Pandya also took eight wickets during the tournament.

This IPL triumph propelled Pandya to mega stardom and many started discussing him as a potential leader for Team India in the future. The 2022 season of IPL served as a path that relaunched Pandya to the national side in a new avatar. This new version of Pandya was more productive, more responsible with the bat, and could switch between anchoring and power-hitting at will. In addition, after his injury, he again found mojo in his bowling and took important wickets for his team.

Pandya had his first taste of leadership during the South African T20I series at home where he was Rishabh Pant’s substitute. He was then allowed to serve as captain during series against Ireland, West Indies and New Zealand for the next few months.

In 27 matches and 25 innings this year, he scored 607 runs at an average of 33.72, with three half-centuries and a best individual score of 71*. He has also taken 20 wickets in the 20-over format this year.

Also in 3 ODIs this year, he scored 100 runs in two innings, with a best score of 71*. He has also taken six wickets in the 50-over format this year.

2) Virat Kohli ends an age-long 1000-day drought

Since cricket resumed after COVID-19, something about Virat Kohli hasn’t felt the same. He was often clumsy at times, falling flat against spinners and debutants whom he once bossed around at will. In 2020 and 2021, Kohli was unable to score his long-awaited 71st century. While his stats weren’t terribly disappointing as he averaged his mid to late thirties and made it through many fifties, Kohli’s mighty standards were so high that none of it seemed enough.

Going into 2022, Virat was arguably battling the lean phase of his career, in which he struggled on many points to make even half a century. In July, he had not even crossed the 500-run mark in international cricket by 2022.

Speaking to the media, Virat often talked about his struggles with mental health, which came with his hectic cricket schedule and unrealistic expectations of him. The star batsman’s fight helped many realize the importance of mental health in the sport and showed that ‘King Kohli’, who often forced his opponents into submission with his majestic blows, was human after all.

Come Asia Cup 2022 in August-September, Kohli made a remarkable comeback after a month-long hiatus, finishing as the second-highest points scorer in the tournament and hitting his long-awaited 71st international ton against Afghanistan. The moment sent the entire cricket association into ecstasy. The way Virat opened up about his mental struggle, his relationship with wife and actress Anushka Sharma inspired many. Gone were the days when a young Virat ran roaring across the field after a century. It was replaced by a more mature, open, balanced and healthy version of this star batter.

Kohli continued his form in the T20 World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top points scorer. This also included an 82* batting, an innings of a lifetime against Pakistan, which came on a 160 run chase as India struggled at 31/4. T20 World Cup victory could have been Kohli’s redemption, but perhaps the 2023 Cricket World Cup is what will complete Virat’s cinematic comeback.

In total, Virat scored 1,348 runs this year at an average of 38.51 in 2022, with two centuries and 11 half centuries in 42 innings. His best score is 122*. His T20I figures stood out the most. In 20 matches this year, he scored 781 runs at an average of 55.78, with a century and eight half-centuries.

3) Sri Lanka conquers Asia Cup 2022 despite all odds

Heading into the 2022 Asia Cup, India was the overwhelming favourite, seeing the return of seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja to the team. Pakistan had Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan and a strong bowling line-up that made them second favourites. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were nowhere favorites, despite their quality and potential.

Sri Lanka was also at the height of an intense political and economic crisis at home. This would undoubtedly remain in the minds of the players, who were in the UAE away from all the turmoil. In addition, they were crushed by Afghanistan in their first game. After that, the Lankan Lions played as champions throughout the tournament, as if the crisis at home and the defeat against Afghanistan served as fuel for them. The Dasun Shanaka led side left no stone unturned in bringing smiles to the faces of their people, with the thrilling, fearless cricket they played. The side emerged as champions and defeated Pakistan in the final. This victory, despite all the setbacks on and off the field, is one of the most inspiring sports stories of the year.

4) The ‘Bazball’ revolution is taking the cricket world by storm

Enter 2022. England Test cricket looked in shambles. England had lost the series against the West Indies away from home and literally surrendered the Ashes 4-0 to Australia in one of their most underwhelming performances in years. In captain Joe Root’s last 17 games as skipper, England could manage just one win.

In June, England was under a brand new leadership. Ben Stokes, the man for big podiums for England, was the new Test skipper and New Zealand legend Brendon McCullum, a fearless, no-nonsense cricketer in his prime, was the head coach in the longer format.

The dup have revived English cricket with their positive, fearless approach to Test cricket. Seeing many turn to T20 cricket, Stokes-McCullum was determined to revive the art form that was Test cricket with their first-ball attacking mentality. This is how ‘Bazball’, a term coined by English players and media after McCullum’s nickname to describe the new era of Test cricket in England, was born.

This new era was characterized by England thundering at its opponents from the start, whether bowling or batting. Like Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow made ages a habit and bowlers a staple. Number three batter James Anderon lost the ‘fear of getting out’. England’s timeless wonder and pacesetter James Anderson at 40 years old felt he could go on for years to come. That was the way ‘Bazball’ influenced the team. Everyone was completely absorbed in it.

As a result, England won nine of their next 10 Tests, making them one of the teams to fear at the next ICC World Test Championship. Lightning fast, hard hitting chases, attacking fast bowling, deceptive spin and stunning displays of fielding and catches were the hallmarks of these test wins.