Cricbuzz commentary: Unforgettables from 2016 - II

We are back with the second edition of memorable commentary nuggets from 2016.

The Rajkot Test between India and England was, well, a delicious draw

Over the entire course of the Indian history, they have been excellent hosts to the English, not just on the cricketing field. And it required them to come back after four long years to throw us back to memories of what milking centuries in India was all about, what the famed Indian paradises looked like and what survival on the fifth day meant.
Over the entire course of the Indian history, they have been excellent hosts to the English, not just on the cricketing field. And it required them to come back after four long years to throw us back to memories of what milking centuries in India was all about, what the famed Indian paradises looked like and what survival on the fifth day meant.

***

On young Karun Nair and KL Rahul's big, long innings at Chepauk that were also brisk

If T20 schools were a reality, they would be the high-flying students and Sehwag, the only other Indian batsman apart from Nair to have a triple, would be the headmaster. Only if.
If T20 schools were a reality, they would be the high-flying students and Sehwag, the only other Indian batsman apart from Nair to have a triple, would be the headmaster. Only if.

***

11 wickets, yes, eleven, had fallen in the first session on Day 2 at Galle. We need some work too

What's the hurry guys! This is meant to last five days.
What's the hurry guys! This is meant to last five days.

***

Lendl Simmons was "lucky" in dumping hosts India out of World T20 in the second semi-final in Mumbai

Hospitals in Mumbai are on red alert. Simmons doesn't need them. He has the elixir of life. He is a unicorn. And he is on a drip of Elvish medicine too. To be reprieved once of a no-ball, okay it can happen. Twice is just outrageous. Add to it that relayed catch with which Jadeja stamped on the ad cushions. Simmons has been blessed by the Mother of God. He'll probably conquer the whole world by tomorrow.
Hospitals in Mumbai are on red alert. Simmons doesn't need them. He has the elixir of life. He is a unicorn. And he is on a drip of Elvish medicine too. To be reprieved once of a no-ball, okay it can happen. Twice is just outrageous. Add to it that relayed catch with which Jadeja stamped on the ad cushions. Simmons has been blessed by the Mother of God. He'll probably conquer the whole world by tomorrow.

***

Rahul's cover drive en route to 199 at Chepauk was a delight

Stokes to Rahul, FOUR, that's a twingasm: shotgasm and audiogasm. A full ball there to be driven, yes, but geez, look at how he leans and crisps it out through covers. Flawless. My ears clapped there
Stokes to Rahul, FOUR, that's a twingasm: shotgasm and audiogasm. A full ball there to be driven, yes, but geez, look at how he leans and crisps it out through covers. Flawless. My ears clapped there

***

A Kohli single in Mohali had the commentator awwin' in philosophy

Refracted down to third man through the prism of his brilliance. Wow. I've impressed myself.
Refracted down to third man through the prism of his brilliance. Wow. I've impressed myself.

***

Because wins had immigrated already during Pakistan's 2-Test tour of New Zealand

Imagine you are stranded in a foreign land and you have lost your passport. You are struggling for your own identity. Pakistan have something similar to deal with.
Imagine you are stranded in a foreign land and you have lost your passport. You are struggling for your own identity. Pakistan have something similar to deal with.

***

March and April stood traffic-jammed with T20s and then the IPL arrived

Still hungover from the World T20? The IPL is here. No, no, it's not the lemonade you were looking for. It's a heady cocktail, which might make matters worse (read: better) for you.
Still hungover from the World T20? The IPL is here. No, no, it's not the lemonade you were looking for. It's a heady cocktail, which might make matters worse (read: better) for you.

***

Dowrich had Dhawan strangled down the leg-side in the 3rd Test

That's a shot rivalling a white crayon - useless.
That's a shot rivalling a white crayon - useless.

***

Misbah's unique celebration of his Lord's Test ton had us fitness-conscious

The 42-year-old tells the world that he is young enough and does a few more push-ups than I did at my peak.
The 42-year-old tells the world that he is young enough and does a few more push-ups than I did at my peak.

***

Memories of the 2014 series were nearly back when Kohli, Saha and Jadeja fell to him in one session at Vizag

Moeen Ali is to India what an Irodov puzzle craves to be to an aspiring engineer - menacing.
Moeen Ali is to India what an Irodov puzzle craves to be to an aspiring engineer - menacing.

***

Deepak Hooda clearly found Stoinis severely lacking in mystery during this match in the IPL

Predictability is an ailment, it hurts a bowler a lot more than mediocrity will ever do.
Predictability is an ailment, it hurts a bowler a lot more than mediocrity will ever do.

***

Sometimes, a bowler is just too good against a batsman

Amir to Muhammad Usman, out Bowled!! This had to happen. Sometime. Like Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar win.
Amir to Muhammad Usman, out Bowled!! This had to happen. Sometime. Like Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar win.

***

'New England' weren't so new in the ICC World Cup 2015. They were in the World T20 in India

The last time these two teams met in an ICC event, England realized just how ANCIENT they were. How their methods were obsolete. When Southee and McCullum opened fire with their AK-47s, while they had nothing but wooden swords. Oh, the bloodbath.
The last time these two teams met in an ICC event, England realized just how ANCIENT they were. How their methods were obsolete. When Southee and McCullum opened fire with their AK-47s, while they had nothing but wooden swords. Oh, the bloodbath.

***

Dhoni coming out to bat at number four at Ranchi, his home ground, in the fourth ODI vs New Zealand

Perhaps the only ground where the death silence of a Kohli wicket is replaced by the loudest of cheers. *Tring tring* The local boy walks out.
Perhaps the only ground where the death silence of a Kohli wicket is replaced by the loudest of cheers. *Tring tring* The local boy walks out.

***

When Brexit, cricket and the trauma of DRS' umpire's call coincided during a England-Sri Lanka ODI, we had this

The decision has been referred. It's been deemed that more than half of the 52% who voted for BREXIT might have turned up without having their morning coffees. Hence, the UK will have to reverse its decision.
The decision has been referred. It's been deemed that more than half of the 52% who voted for BREXIT might have turned up without having their morning coffees. Hence, the UK will have to reverse its decision.

***

Focus was on Afridi in the build up to the first T20 between Pakistan and West Indies

Well, the build up to this contest has been quite interesting. The PCB have shown their shrewd business acumen by refusing to give the big Boom Boom a farewell, very smart considering they missed the opportunity on half a dozen occasions in the past already and who says one farewell now would be the end of it.
Well, the build up to this contest has been quite interesting. The PCB have shown their shrewd business acumen by refusing to give the big Boom Boom a farewell, very smart considering they missed the opportunity on half a dozen occasions in the past already and who says one farewell now would be the end of it.

***

Pakistan being themselves in the third Test, just after a 330-run loss at Manchester had followed a 75-run win at Lord's

Eight days is all it took for Pakistan's Lord's euphoria to turn into an emotion which can best be described as a cross between a Stephen King horror novel and a flurry of punches from Conor McGregor which can knock the bejeezus off your head.
Eight days is all it took for Pakistan's Lord's euphoria to turn into an emotion which can best be described as a cross between a Stephen King horror novel and a flurry of punches from Conor McGregor which can knock the bejeezus off your head.

***

Australia's ex-coach, Mickey Arthur, returned to Australia as Pakistan's coach. Now, that's a 'home'coming

On the receiving end of the 'homeworkgate' saga, a punishment that turned tables to have the teacher ousted for the students not completing their homework, Arthur, now in the other dressing room, would be hoping that his former colleagues have once again avoided doing their homework.
On the receiving end of the 'homeworkgate' saga, a punishment that turned tables to have the teacher ousted for the students not completing their homework, Arthur, now in the other dressing room, would be hoping that his former colleagues have once again avoided doing their homework.

***

Because Newton inspired the laws of cricket during this rain-affected ODI between Sri Lanka and England

The floodlights at Bristol cannot be used for this game, thanks to the local residential agreements. So, in short, in accordance with Sir Newton's first law - bad light today will remain in the state of inertia and will not be acted upon by an external (read man-made) force.
The floodlights at Bristol cannot be used for this game, thanks to the local residential agreements. So, in short, in accordance with Sir Newton's first law - bad light today will remain in the state of inertia and will not be acted upon by an external (read man-made) force.

***

A tied ODI game. That is what it was between Sri Lanka and England

You don't need theaters for emotions, you don't need sitcoms for chuckles, you don't need social circles for companionship. If ODIs be like this, you need nothing at all.
You don't need theaters for emotions, you don't need sitcoms for chuckles, you don't need social circles for companionship. If ODIs be like this, you need nothing at all.

***

Dhawal Kulkarni's boundary in Ranchi: That's how cricket should be taught in colleges

Uppish but piercing through backward point, who's leaping, with hands in front of his face to catch that, and turning clockwise mid-air. Not to be. Yes, I am an engineer.
Uppish but piercing through backward point, who's leaping, with hands in front of his face to catch that, and turning clockwise mid-air. Not to be. Yes, I am an engineer.

***

England were on the brink of an ODI whitewash - this time on the right side - after 15 years

An ODI whitewash isn't your run of the mill Brexit. Ask England. The last time they inflicted one in a series of five or more matches - captain Nasser Hussain's shoulders weren't weighed down by the Gabba outrage, nor did he ever feel the need to point to his jersey number; Mahendra Singh Dhoni's story wasn't biopic-worthy; ODI slog-hitting was adorable; T20s weren't a thing; Shahid Afridi hadn't even announced his first retirement.
An ODI whitewash isn't your run of the mill Brexit. Ask England. The last time they inflicted one in a series of five or more matches - captain Nasser Hussain's shoulders weren't weighed down by the Gabba outrage, nor did he ever feel the need to point to his jersey number; Mahendra Singh Dhoni's story wasn't biopic-worthy; ODI slog-hitting was adorable; T20s weren't a thing; Shahid Afridi hadn't even announced his first retirement.