Top 7 cricketing moments of 2017

Like most of the previous years, 2017 was an eventful one. There were some really wonderful moments and some bitter ones as well in the world of cricket.

Pakistan entered the Champions Trophy as underdogs (they were ranked No. 8 before the start of the tournament) and surprised everyone by lifting the trophy. Veteran pacer Ashish Nehra drew the curtains on a wonderful career; Rohit Sharma had a record-breaking year, shattering numerous records while Rangana Herath became the first left-arm spinner to take 400 Test wickets.

Afghanistan and Ireland received Test status, becoming the 11th and 12th Test playing nations.

But there were a few other events that had a more significant impact. Let’s take a look at the top 7 events of the year.

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#7 MS Dhoni gives up limited-overs captaincy

Captain Cool shocked the world on the 4th of January this year as he decided to step down as captain of India’s limited-overs teams. He communicated this decision to the chairman of selectors MSK Prasad.

Dhoni, in a press conference, revealed why he gave up the captaincy, stating that split captaincy doesn’t really work in India. Hence, he stated that he wanted to give Virat Kohli some time to get adjusted to the challenges of captaincy in the Test arena.

Also, the timing of this decision was also crucial as he stepped down just before the limited-overs leg of England’s tour to India started. That was the last ODI series India played before the Champions Trophy and thus, Dhoni wanted Kohli to get used to captaining in the ODI format as well.

Dhoni did not have a farewell game as captain, but was appointed the captain of the India ‘A’ side which played England just before the ODI series. Dhoni scored a brutal 68 in his final game as captain.

#6 International cricket returns to Pakistan

International cricket finally returned to Pakistan

September 12th, 2017 is a date that will remain in Pakistan cricket's history for a long time. It was the day international cricket returned to the South Asian country.

Since the dreadful day the Sri Lankan team were attacked in 2009, no team had toured Pakistan. Zimbabwe went there in 2015 for a short series but it was not enough to revive cricket in the country. However, when Lahore hosted the PSL final earlier this year (2017), it sent a message that the country was ready to host international cricket.

The ICC formed a World XI side comprising star players (Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Paul Collingwood were some of them) from around the world and they toured Pakistan for a 3-match T20I series. Most of the Pakistani players were playing at home for the first time in their careers.

Also, the welcome the players got was excellent. There were hoardings all around Lahore thanking the World XI players, the ICC and the PCB. The fans turned out in large numbers to celebrate cricket in Pakistan.

That series then led to Sri Lanka playing one T20I at Lahore.

#5 Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan leave a big void

Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq

Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan have been wonderful servants of Pakistan cricket and they bid adieu to the game after the series win in West Indies.

Younis Khan debuted in 2000 and was a constant presence in the Test and One-Day teams. He averaged in excess of 52 in Tests and crossed the 10,000-mark in his farewell series. He became the first Pakistan batsman and the 13th overall to reach the landmark.

Misbah, having made his debut in 2001, took up the captaincy when Pakistan were in dire-straits (after the spot-fixing saga) and led the team wonderfully.

Hence, these two stalwarts left a big void in the Pakistan Test team after announcing their retirements.

#4 The Ben Stokes Saga

Ben Stokes has been out of action for England since September 25

Across formats, Ben Stokes is probably the best all-rounder in the world at the moment. With the Ashes looming large and England’s premier all-rounder in prime form, Stokes was going to be one of the key players in England’s quest to retain the urn. However, mid-way through the ODI series against the touring Windies, Stokes was involved in a brawl outside a bar in Bristol.

The Durham all-rounder was arrested on 25th September on suspicions of causing actual bodily harm and was released under investigation.

He was dropped from the Ashes squad and his absence has hurt England badly.

#3 James Anderson enters 500-wicket club and goes past Courtney Walsh

Anderson after taking his 500th Test wicket

James Anderson is currently one of the best fast bowlers in Test cricket. He started the year with 467 Test wickets and it was almost certain that if he stayed fit, he would get to the 500-wicket landmark.

And that was exactly the case. Against West Indies at Lord’s, the 35-year-old fast bowler castled Kraigg Braithwaite to pick up his 500th Test wicket, a feat only 5 other bowlers have achieved. He also became the 3rd fast bowler to enter the 500-wicket club.

With only Courtney Walsh (519) and Glenn McGrath ahead of him (563), Anderson started the Ashes with 506 wickets and was just 14 away from overtaking Walsh’s tally. He took 12 wickets in three Tests and then came the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

He first scalped the wicket of David Warner on Day 1 to equal the great West Indian’s tally and then on Day 2, picked up the wicket of Tim Paine to go past Walsh. He moved to number 5 on the list of all-time leading wicket-takers in Tests and is currently only second to McGrath when it comes to fast bowlers.

#2 The Kohli-Kumble rift

The Kohli-Kumble relationship ended on a bad note

When Anil Kumble was appointed the coach of the Indian team in June, there was a lot of belief and a great sense of optimism. And with India dominating teams across formats, everything seemed perfectly fine.

However, there were rumours that Kohli and Kumble weren't seeing eye to eye on many issues. This was kept under wraps throughout the Champions Trophy. However, as soon as the tournament was over, Kumble decided to step down.

Kumble, in a statement which he submitted to the BCCI, stated that the captain was unhappy with his style of coaching, leading to his decision to quit.

Even though Kumble’s tenure ended on a bitter note, his reign as coach was one of the most successful ones for India.

#1 Women’s World Cup

England and India played out a thrilling final

2017 was certainly the breakthrough year for women’s cricket, mainly due to the popularity of the Women's World Cup.

India and England played the first and the last game of the tournament. Both teams put on a great show throughout the tournament and it was eventually England who managed to hold their nerve to win a thrilling final by 9 runs.

The tournament was viewed by over 180 million people across the globe. That’s not all. The final, which was played between England and India, was the most-watched women’s sporting event in India.

The World Cup certainly showed that the women’s game has grown leaps and bounds and it deserves recognition.