Rewind 2015: A mixed year for Indian cricket

Tags: India, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja, Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane, Flashback 2015, Rewind 2015

Published on: Dec 29, 2015

As 2015 draws to a close, we look back at the year that was for Indian cricket, which featured a loss in the World Cup semi-final, embarrassment in Bangladesh, and also a Test series win in Sri Lanka after 22 years. Towards the end of the year, India also brought South Africa’s nine-year unbeaten streak in Tests to an end, but not before going down in the ODIs and T20s. Here’s a flashback

As 2015 draws to a close, we look back at the year that was for Indian cricket, which featured a loss in the World Cup semi-final, embarrassment in Bangladesh, and also a Test series win in Sri Lanka after 22 years. Towards the end of the year, India also brought South Africa’s nine-year unbeaten streak in Tests to an end, but not before going down in the ODIs and T20s. Here’s a flashback.

Australia visit: The year began with the New Year Test in Sydney. India had already lost the series, but batted credibly well to hold their own in this match, with hundreds from Virat Kohli and Lokesh Rahul in response to Australia’s mammoth 572. Mohammed Shami claimed a five-for in the first innings. India proceeded to have a tumultuous time in the tri-series, losing all three completed games, one to Australia and two to England.

Joy and despair at the World Cup: India’s preparation for the mega event wasn’t ideal. But, they found their mojo at the right time, crushing aside Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies and the minnows to head into the quarter-final against Bangladesh undefeated. In a match filled with couple of controversial decisions, India still held sway by 109 runs. However, it all fell apart for MS Dhoni’s men in the semi-final at Sydney against hosts Australia. Steven Smith came up with another hundred against his favourite opponents to inflict a 95-run defeat on the Indians, and end their World Cup journey on a sour note.

Embarrassment in Bangladesh: Although this can’t be seen as revenge for the World Cup loss, Bangladesh’s 2-1 thrashing of India in the ODIs was the upset of the year, even though the hosts had earlier hammered Pakistan 3-0. Newcomer Mustafizur Rahim claimed 11 wickets in his first two one-day games, as India were crushed by 79 runs and six wickets respectively. A victory in the 3rd match wasn’t too much of a consolation for the embarrassment.

Victory in Sri Lanka, at last: After a second-string side beat Zimbabwe in the one-dayers, and squared the T20 series, a full strength Indian side visited Sri Lanka for a three-Test series. India hadn’t won in Sri Lanka in 22 years, and the latest visit did not begin on an optimistic note as Rangana Herath bowled Lanka to victory at Galle. However, India fought back courtesy their spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra, and match-winning hundreds from Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara at the P. Sara Oval and the SSC respectively, to clinch a come-from-behind victory.

Poor start, but a great finish: India were pathetic in the T20s and ODIs against South Africa, losing both contests under MS Dhoni. But, the Test team flourished under Virat Kohli on spinning surfaces that resulted in a number controversies. While India’s batsmen themselves struggled, Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, on comeback, combined brilliantly to rip to pieces the South African batting. Rahane finished off another great year on a memorable note, with a hundred in each innings at the venue where he made a disastrous debut two years back.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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