Was Inzamam's 60 (37) the greatest ever under-pressure World Cup knock?

[flibbertyjibber]

Inzamam's was probably the most brutal. It was at a time when the target they were chasing when he came in was considered impossible. We hadn't seen an innings like that before, nowadays hitting like that is regarded the norm but back then it was something special.

I do agree though that there are a few since to probably eclipse it.

 

[harsh.ag]

Lloyd's 102 off 85 balls in the 1975 final against Australia really good as well. Even though it was a first innings, Lloyd came in at 50/3 after 20 odd overs had been bowled, and scored at an incredible pace to set up the 291 total, and Windies won only by 17 runs.

 

[harsh.ag]

Lillee, Thommo, Walker, and Gilmour the bowling line-up.

 

[wpdavid]

Lloyd's 102 off 85 balls in the 1975 final against Australia really good as well. Even though it was a first innings, Lloyd came in at 50/3 after 20 odd overs had been bowled, and scored at an incredible pace to set up the 291 total, and Windies won only by 17 runs.

Still my favourite one-day innings. His run-rate was extraordinary by the standards of the day, even allowing for Aus maintaining a more attacking field than we'd see nowadays. And, as you added, it was against a terrific attack.

 

[simonlee48]

kapil's 175 not out coming in at 9/4 which soon became 17/5 should be among the greatest ODI knocks even though it came against zimbabwe

If I recall it right, Indians were going to be eliminated if they had lost to Zim. At 17/5 , Indians were pretty much done with that WC and then Kapil played one of the best knocks in ODI.

 

[simonlee48]

Lloyd's 102 off 85 balls in the 1975 final against Australia really good as well. Even though it was a first innings, Lloyd came in at 50/3 after 20 odd overs had been bowled, and scored at an incredible pace to set up the 291 total, and Windies won only by 17 runs.

Came against a very good attack.

 

[Dissector]

I would go with Aravinda. Early wickets, top opposition, world cup final.

Gambhir is up there but a key difference is that India was test no.1 and had won the TT world championship, with Gambhir playing a major role in both . They were used to winning especially at home. SL in 96, not so much especially away and Aravinda would have had to overcome that mental baggage.

 

[marc71178]

Inzamam's was probably the most brutal. It was at a time when the target they were chasing when he came in was considered impossible.

The fact that the target was "impossible" makes me suggest that the pressure on him wasn't necessarily that high.

 

[Howe_zat]

Gambhir 's 97. Big total to chase, home crowd pressure, two biggest guns dismissed cheaply, Malinga on fire etc.

'home crowd pressure' is pretty meaningless when you consider that the alternative is, y'know, not being at home. If you're trying to argue that home advantage isn't a thing then I can't help you

 

[Jassy]

'home crowd pressure' is pretty meaningless when you consider that the alternative is, y'know, not being at home. If you're trying to argue that home advantage isn't a thing then I can't help you

In a standard test match yours would be a very valid point, but in a WC final with India vying to become the first ever team to win the WC at home and with two of their best batsmen back in the hut, OS' point has merit.

 

[simonlee48]

The fact that the target was "impossible" makes me suggest that the pressure on him wasn't necessarily that high.

Full credit to Inzzy to pull it off but good point about impossible situation and pressure. I am not sure if Inzzy has played many other good knocks in WCs or finals but this was a top class knock from Inzzy. Pakistan was looking totally out before his knock due to very slow batting by IK.

 

[Dawood Ahmad]

That one was outstanding but there are other better knocks:
Michal Hussey 60* vs Pakistan in T20 World Cup.
Adam Gilchrist 149* vs Srilanka in final.
Ponting 140* vs India in final.
Aravinda 67* vs Australia in final.
Kapil's 175 vs Zimbabwe.
Richard's 181 vs West indies

And a few others..

 

[smash84]

Just watched that Steve waugh century again the other day. Just friggin outstanding. The turning point of the 1999 world cup.

 

[OverratedSanity]

'home crowd pressure' is pretty meaningless when you consider that the alternative is, y'know, not being at home. If you're trying to argue that home advantage isn't a thing then I can't help you

It's an advantage because you know the conditions. The thread title was about "pressure", the mental aspect of it, and imo that component is higher when you're in front of your home crowd. It's why we choked in that 96 semifinal. The pressure of winning the game after Sachin got out multiplied to enormous proportions. The rest of the batting couldn't handle it in 96, Gambhir and Dhoni were able to soak it up in 2011

 

[cnerd123]

Dhoni's innings pretty fantastic too. Such a big moment, high pressure game, and he just spontaneously decided to push himself up the order. Leading from the front right there.