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2015: A cricket odyssey

Runs, wickets, stunning catches, swansongs, controversies, this World Cup had it all. Rutvick Mehta looks back at the 44 days that had the fans hooked

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Elliott's touching gesture
Grant Elliott had hit a sensational six in the penultimate ball off Dale Steyn's last over to give New Zealand a place in the final at the cost of South Africa. The packed Eden Park crowd erupted in unison, the Kiwi players came running out, the Proteas were sobbing uncontrollably. Among all the different waves of emotion, Elliott went up to a crestfallen Steyn, lying alone and helpless on the pitch, and gave him a hand. Steyn got up, Elliott hugged him. That second epitomised the beauty of this World Cup, and sport in general. In the final, however, the Australians, led by Brad Haddin, gave the semifinal hero a send-off. Talk of a striking contrast.

The spellbinding spell
It was one of the best spells of fast bowling in World Cup history. A fired up Wahab Riaz dished out short deliveries, applauses, a few words, stares and what not to Shane Watson in the Pakistan-Australia quarterfinal. Cricket was at its best – some hostile fast bowling against some nervous yet resilient batting. Five overs and a dropped catch later, Watson survived. "Special spell from @WahabViki the other night. Very lucky to have come out unscathed #Nohardfeelings #Respect," Watson later tweeted. Enough said.

Catch of the tournament
Few others defy age better than Daniel Vettori. If ever there was a "best catch of the tournament" award, the 36-year-old would've won hands down. West Indies' Marlon Sameuls cut a ball towards third man. It was heading for a six. But not with Vettori stationed there. The man leapt in the air, stretched his left hand out, and snatched the ball from nowhere. He stood there nonchalantly as some shocked Kiwi players came running towards him.

The maiden victors
Afghanistan players' celebrations after an opposition wicket were the toast of this World Cup. But the debutants believed they had something bigger in store. Even at 97/7 chasing Scotland's 210. Samiullah Shenwari played the knock of his life, his 96 taking them within touching distance of the target. Fourteen to win off 12 became five off six, thanks to that 'belief'. Shapoor Zadran smashed a four off the third ball to give the Afghans their maiden World Cup win. The celebrations had just begun.

Gayle's tweet revenge
One doesn't mess with Chris Gayle, not even if you're his employer. Out-of-form and strangely off-colour, the West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron retweeted a fan's ire: "Gayle goes Can't buy a run. Let's give him a retirement package Can't fail repeatedly and still front up based on reputation." The next match, Gayle slammed a double century against a hapless Zimbawean attack. Now that's what one calls giving it back, Chris Gayle style. Cameron later apologised. Did he have an option?

Hossain sends England packing
In what was a pre-quarterfinal knockout match for both teams, Bangladesh posted 275 against England, by no means a winning total. At 97/2, England seemed well on course to achieve it. But Rubel Hossain turned it around quickly, quite literally. He removed the set Ian Bell and skipper Eoin Morgan in four balls, and came back in the end to finish the deal with two perfect yorkers to Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Bangladesh sailed into the quarters, England flew back home.

Dilshan's 4,4,4,4,4,4
Mitchell Johnson was spitting fire against the Sri Lankan top order. But Tillakaratne Dilshan fought fire with fire. Treating Johnson like a military medium-pacer, Dilshan slammed six fours off his single over. It contained three crisp drives, a midwicket flick, a pull, and a gentle push towards covers to end the brutal onslaught. At the end of it all, Johnson had a smile on his face. So did Dilshan. But only one was genuinely smiling. No prizes for guessing.

The controversial catch
Sean Williams was guiding Zimbabwe to a thrilling victory over Ireland. The equation was down to 32 runs off 20 balls. Williams, on 96, went for a big one over midwicket. Ireland's John Mooney caught it just millimetres inside the boundary rope. Williams left the field despite being told by the umpires to wait. As it turned out, television replays appeared to show his foot just touching the rope as he caught it. But Williams was gone, and the decision couldn't be overturned. It turned the match, though, as Ireland won it.

Sanga's retiring high
If one were to be told that Kumar Sangakkara was retiring after the World Cup, he/she would've probably laughed out loud. For, the way he played, he didn't look like someone who was in the last phase of his one-day career. Classy, confident and consistent as ever, the southpaw notched up four consecutive centuries – a record – to take the term "go out on a high" to a different level. Angelo Mathews begged him to stay on. Who wouldn't?

'Height' of a controversy
Rohit Sharma was India's star in the quarterfinal against Bangladesh, scoring a match-winning ton. But it wasn't quite the talking point that day. In the 40th over, Rohit mistimed a full toss straight to square leg. Bangladesh players erupted in joy, but the umpires ruled it a no ball. It wasn't. It's anyone's guess what difference that decision would've made to the result, but the Bangladeshis fans, BCB president, ICC president, and even the Bangladesh prime minister, cried foul. Some of them still are.

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