The snow-capped mountains, an thrilling mountaineering day tour to Triund, infinite cups of sizzling chocolate at a type of homely cafés in Dharamkot, and soaking within the winter solar whereas strolling as much as the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Affiliation Stadium — masking cricket in Dharamshala is at all times enjoyable!
In March, this reporter drove down from Amritsar to the hill city to cowl the ultimate Check between India and England, in anticipation of thrilling cricket over the subsequent 5 days or so. It was, after all, a landmark Check for 3 prime cricketers — Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow have been enjoying their a centesimal Check, whereas Jimmy Anderson was on the cusp of claiming his 700th wicket.
Feelings have been operating excessive in each camps to make the event particular for his or her star gamers. There have been felicitations, emotional speeches, and, after all, plenty of banter main as much as the fixture.
Rahul Dravid, Head Coach of India, introduced the a centesimal take a look at cap to Ravichandran Ashwin who was there together with his household through the fifth take a look at between India and England held on the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Affiliation Stadium, Dharamshala.
| Photograph Credit score:
Sportzpics for BCCI
Rahul Dravid, Head Coach of India, introduced the a centesimal take a look at cap to Ravichandran Ashwin who was there together with his household through the fifth take a look at between India and England held on the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Affiliation Stadium, Dharamshala.
| Photograph Credit score:
Sportzpics for BCCI
In 15 years of masking the sport, this reporter had by no means seen Ashwin so emotional in a media interplay as he mirrored on his journey. At the moment, nobody might have anticipated that earlier than the 12 months ended, the spin ace would bow out of worldwide cricket, abandoning a wealthy legacy.
With 1000’s of followers flying right down to Dharamshala for the Check, it felt as if England was enjoying at Headingley or Outdated Trafford. The Barmy Military, in its full capability, cheered the visiting staff with the great outdated ‘Jerusalem’, creating an environment of enjoyable and frolic.
When the motion obtained underway, Ashwin dominated with a match haul of 9 wickets, whereas Anderson scaled Mount 700. As his father watched from the lounge, Anderson eliminated his cap and waved on the crowd, who responded with a much-deserved standing ovation.
As is usually the case in cricket matches within the Indian subcontinent, followers cheered each time they caught a glimpse of Ashwin or every other stars, whereas playfully booing the England cricketers with some hilarious one-liners.
By the point the ultimate Check started, India had already sealed the sequence, however the dwelling staff continued its fearless model of cricket and decimated the much-hyped ‘Bazball’.
Though the match lasted merely three days, forcing travelling scribes to rush-dial journey brokers to advance their return tickets, it was a enjoyable expertise. With the temperature dipping additional within the evenings, strolling round McLeod Ganj meant one may ultimately stumble upon a number of the English cricketers. For the guests, it was a chance to unwind and rejuvenate after a busy country-wide journey. Regardless of visits to sizzling springs and a little bit of trekking to refresh themselves, their performances on the sector have been removed from spectacular as they struggled towards a spin assault led by Ashwin and ably supported by Kuldeep Yadav.
A few months later, this reporter had the chance to return to Dharamshala for the Indian Premier League, however these 5 days of red-ball cricket nonetheless maintain a particular place in his coronary heart.
What to anticipate in 2025
With the Champions Trophy set to be held in February and March — in Pakistan and the UAE — some intense cricketing rivalries are anticipated. It should even be thrilling to see promising abilities taking their first steps in worldwide cricket when the U-19 Girls’s World Cup begins in Malaysia in January.
And, after all, there’s the ODI Girls’s World Cup on dwelling turf later within the 12 months. It will likely be the proper alternative for the Girls in Blue to finish their title jinx in ICC occasions and make their presence felt at dwelling. Whereas there’s nonetheless a protracted approach to go, Harmanpreet Kaur and her staff might be hoping to undertake an aggressive mindset and play to their potential.
With loads to look ahead to, fasten your seat belts and prepare for an thrilling journey.
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Author : admin
Publish date : 2024-12-28 08:03:39
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