One Day Internationals in Guwahati: Nostalgic Remembrances

Incidentally, Lance Klusener (once a great South African all rounder) had shot into prominence in the international arena after his scintillating performance in the One Day International (ODI) match against Australia that was played at the Nehru Stadium, Guwahati (during the Titan Cup) on 1st, November,1996. In fact, for all practical purposes, the Guwahati match is said to be a milestone in Klusener's career. 

The newly constructed sprawling Dr Bhupen Hazarika cricket stadium, 'Barsapara Cricket Stadium' shall stage a 'T-20' encounter against the visiting South African team on 1st October. The South African team is scheduled to play three T-20 matches in India and Guwahati shall stage the second T-20 encounter.

The cricket fans of Guwahati are waiting with bathed breath to watch the T-20 match live and get the feel of some bang-bang pulsating cricket. Currently, the South African team is playing well and has comprehensively annihilated England in the first test (held on 23rd August). The team is indeed in a menacing form. On the other hand, Team India is in top form too after beating West Indies and Zimbabwe hands down. Therefore, the 1st October match is expected to be a clash of the titans.

While we wish and pray for the grand success of the ensuing encounter, it is about time that we take a look at a few of the exciting ODIs played at the historic Nehru Stadium, Guwahati.

Incidentally, Lance Klusener (once a great South African all rounder) had shot into prominence in the international arena after his scintillating performance in the One Day International (ODI) match against Australia that was played at the Nehru Stadium, Guwahati (during the Titan Cup) on 1st, November,1996. In fact, for all practical purposes, the Guwahati match is said to be a milestone in Klusener's career.

In the year 1996, a three nation ODI tournament involving India, Australia and South Africa was held. In one of the crucial matches of the tournament held at Guwahati, a capacity crowd had thronged the stadium to witness the two foreign teams compete with each other and their love for the game had been adequately rewarded. Apart from the win, the match had been memorable and very significant for the South African team as in Klusener they found an all rounder who went on to become a great asset for the next 8 years.

While the first one day international match was played in Nehru Stadium, Guwahati, on 17th December, 1983, between India and West Indies (in which India suffered a humiliating defeat), the next one day match between India and Sri Lanka is still fresh in the memory of the discerning cricket lovers particularly for the magnificent batting displayed by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.

On a typically cold January morning in the year 1987, India took on a strong Sri Lankan team, which was captained by the shrewd Mendis and had exemplary batsmen like Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravindo D'Silva, Chaminda Vyas and others. However, in the course of the match, Indian spinners specially Maninder Singh, Ravi Sashtri and Shivlal Yadav did not allow any liberties to the Sri Lankan batsmen (barring Aravinda D'Silva) and bundled them out for a paltry 145 runs.

Chasing the small target, India lost two early wickets and the game was thrown wide open. But the batting maestro, Gavaskar, demonstrated his class and displayed a superior technique to combat the spin bowling (in the company of Vengsarkar) and helped India win the match convincingly. Gavaskar's unbeaten 70 runs, scored on a difficult pitch, was a feast for the eyes. It needs no reiteration that till the advent of Tendulkar, 'Sunny' was considered the best Indian batsman with 30 test centuries to his credit. Needless to say Guwahatians, were euphoric to witness this match.

Among the other memorable matches played at Guwahati, the ODI played on 5th November 2007 is worth remembering. This was an encounter between India and its arch-rival Pakistan. The entire city, nay the state, was surcharged with excitement long before the match actually had commenced. The Pakistani Team with all its stalwarts were formidable enough. Bating first, the Pakistani Team had put up a challenging score of 239.The beginning of the run chase by the Indians was disappointing especially because Tendulkar was bowled out early. However, Saurav Ganguly had bated brilliantly and his characteristic offside shots were cheered by the knowledgeable crowd. But at his individual score of 39 runs, much to the dismay of the crowd, Ganguly was run out. It must be reiterated here that the pitch of Guwahati was so well prepared that the Indian batsman had little difficulty in combating the Pakistani bowlers. After Ganguly's departure, M.S Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh batted brilliantly too and scored 63 and 58 runs respectively to steer India to a memorable victory.

Nehru Stadium, Guwahati, has hosted 14 ODIs out of which two matches were abandoned due to extraneous factors. It has been a lucky ground for Team India. India has won six matches comprehensively here.

Now that the new Cricket Stadium at Barsapara with all modern amenities is on the verge of hosting the first international match, the possibility of Nehru Stadium holding international matches in the near future seems to be rather remote. Further, with the steady decline in popularity of the much loved Bordoloi Trophy, the sight of the congregation of enormous numbers of sports lovers in front of this historic stadium with all its pristine glory is slowly being relegated to the pages of history. However, the Nehru Stadium shall continue to remind sports lovers of the brilliant and defining moments of the games that they had witnessed there.

Gautam Ganguly

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