What is the most heroic innings you have seen?

Question

Not necessarily the best, just the most heroic. When the odds have been stacked agaisnt the batsman: pitch, opposition, position in game, or a combination of elements conspiring against him (or her!).

So what is the most heroic innings you have seen?

Answer 1

I'm sure there are greater and more heroic ones than the one I'm about to put forward but I think Mushtaq Ahmed’s innings in which he scored 20* against Australia during the 1995 Australia/Pakistan Test match in Karachi was pretty heroic. It was full of grit, determination and tenaciousness that frustrated the opposition (and especially Shane Warne) to the point that they couldn't get him out and Pakistan won the game by one wicket.

Edit: Or Glenn McGrath getting his one and only Test 50, against New Zealand. That was definitely heroic.

Answer 2

The most heroic innings of my memory was the batting of Kapil Dev in the 1983 World Cup Match against Zimbawe.  He came to bat when India had lost 5 wickets for 17 runs and with his heroic knock of 175 runs not out, he took India's total to 260 odd runs and won the match for India, which helped India to win 1983 workd cup too.  He did that when all the odds were against India.

Answer 3

It was Greg Chappell batting, I don't remember the particular match, but I do know we desparately needed the runs & it was a VERY hot day. Chappell batted all through the hottest part of the day till he became so sick he began vomitting, but he didn't give up & went on to get the runs needed. Best i've ever seen.

Answer 4

The innings of Herschellue Gibbs making 174 against Australia while chasing 435 was the most heroic.He fought,fought & fought & just played at his best.That was a great rememberable & the most heroic knowck ever.

After that,Kapil Dev's 175 against Zimbabwe in the world cup semi finals 1983 when India were 17/5 was a great achievement.

Answer 5

well so many have already been said, Gibbs 175, Laxmans 281, even Mushies 20 i will pay respect to, Devs 175 (when if they lost they could have been close to out of the competition), Atherton and Russell is definately up there but it surprises me the no one said Bothams 149 in 81 (come on Kookee, i'm sure you could give us a ball by ball run down of that one), which i cant say cos technically i didnt see it

therefore i will choose Justin Langer's Debut vs the West Indies in 1993 in Adelaide.

in just his second test innings, he was bashed from pillar to post by the likes of Waslh, Ambrose, Bishop and Kenny Banjimin, while the other experienced crumbled around him and he was left to try and guide his side to victory, ultimately he failed, but not thru lack of trying and i think it was heroic of him to cop so many hits in his first test

after that game he was taken aside for a drink (or a few!) by David Boon who told him "no matter what happens, Test cricket will never be tougher than that!"

maybe he remembered that afew years later againist Pakistan in Hobart.

Answer 6

Herschelle Gibbs in THAT one dayer, odds stacked against his team facing the best team in the world and chasing the highest ever ODI score, what an inninngs.

Answer 7

Mike Atherton and Jack Russell batting England to a draw on a lively Wanderers pitch with Pollock and Donald throwing down bombs at them all day.

There are so many! Brian Lara batting many hours to score a victory and world record score for WI against the OZ is just one of them. I also remember a test when Allan Border batted all day in South Africa to save a test, I think it was Wanderers as well.

Answer 8

Dear Oracle,

These are the ones that I can remember.

Inzamam-ul-Haq (of Multan)  scored 60 off only 37 balls aginst New Zealand to secure Pakistan's place in the 1992 World Cup final.

Not seen but must be great: 175 by Kapil Dev when India were in the dumps.

Akmal and Razzak in a record 184-run seventh wicket stand, in Mohali securing a draw for Pakistan in the first test.

The innings mentioned by Sarah.

Brian Lara 153 not out in Bridgetown, Barbados. against Austrailia.

Miadad last ball 6 against Chetan Sharma of India, I think both countries will remember this one for a very long time.

There are some others I cannot recollect. I dont recall dates, unfortunately!

Rehman of Multan

Answer 9

mine last week lmao

cant think of a particular one but any innings that viv richards played was certainly heroic and had every1 on the edge of there seats.

a truely great batsman

Answer 10

The most heroic thing I have seen is Great Khali's performance when he comes back after being beaten up like a dog for more punishment and more money. Now, that's what I call HEROIC

Answer 11

mateusz janke

Answer 12

Kevin Pietersen's century on the 5th day of last Test match against Australia at Oval in Ashes 2005, when England almost lost that test early in that morning but wasnt that effort lion hearted as the Aussie bowlers were looking unplayable.

Also Saeed Anwer's 194 world record performance against India at Chennai in 1997. How beautifuly he chopped the Indian bowlers into pieces like a butcher. i am sure the Indians would never want to remember that day.

Answer 13

most heroic innings i have seen is yuvraj singh against england

as he is challanged by big freddie flintoff and he also has weight of being hit for consecutive 5 sixes by dimitri mas.

this is best  heroic innings as he answered them in best way possible by hitting  6 sixes  or  maximum.

Answer 14

VVS Laxman's inns. at Kolkata in 2001, India was following on against Australia & Laxman played that remarkable 281 run knock not only getting past Australia's target but putting enough runs on the board that India could get Australia all out in their 2nd inns.

Answer 15

the innings of saurav ganguly against punjab kings XI in their second clash.............can't forget thet