Opinion: The special bonds between cricket players, grounds and teams

As Virat Kohli and company is gearing up for the all-important tour to England for the Test series post IPL, Kohli is a relieved man for the time being. After all he was able to salvage some pride in recent Test series in South Africa.

Last month, when India lost the second Test match at the Centurion against South Africa, Kohli must have told himself 'come what may, the series scoreline will not be 3-0'. After all, the last Test of the series was slated at Johannesburg, the place which has that special bonhomie with Team India for many years. The record remained intact; India not only avoided a defeat but won the Test.

India has never lost a Test here, not even in 1992-93 and 1996-97 when otherwise there was complete decimation. At this ground, Rahul Dravid scored an epic 148 in 1996-97. But above all it's here in 2007 that India won inaugural T-20 World Cup and MS Dhoni embarked upon a journey to superstardom.

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But this is not new, in cricket special relationships between teams/players and grounds have been around since ages, albeit most of the time they are inexplicable.

Have a look at few of such unique relationships.

During Sunil Gavaskar's debut series in 1971-72, India played two Test matches at Port of Spain. In four innings, Gavaskar scored one double century, one century and two half-centuries. Five years later at the same venue, India played two Test matches and Gavaskar scored two more centuries. So whenever there used to a Test at Port of Spain, bowlers of West Indies knew that little master would come with something special.

But even more interesting is the camaraderie between Mohd Azharuddin and Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Azhar made his debut at Kolkata in 1984-75 and scored a century on debut and his special performance at Kolkata continued after that as well. Overall, Azhar played seven Test matches at this ground and scored five centuries. Eden Gardens played a role of saviour for him. In 1993, when Azhar was under heavy scrutiny, both for his batting and captaincy, he scored a massive run-a-ball 182 in opening Test of the series with England. India won the Test as well. In 1996, Azhar scored a Test century here against South Africa in just 74 balls. The crowd went berserk when Azhar struck five boundaries in a single over of Lance Klusener.

Little do we realise that Dilip Vengsarkar has a unique record under his belt. He was first non-English batsman to score three Test centuries at the iconic Lord's. During his first three Test matches at the 'Mecca of Cricket', Vengsarkar scored centuries in each of them. He played his fourth and last Test at this venue in 1990 and scored a half-century.

VVS Laxman's love affair with Sydney Cricket Ground started in 1999-2000 when he played a magnum knock of 167 in a series where Indian batsmen simply capitulated against Australian pace attack. He scored centuries on his next two Test outings at this ground in 2004 and 2008.

Like Johannesburg, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Australia has been very special for Team India. At SCG, India scored a mammoth 600 for 4 during 1985-86 and Australia somehow saved the innings defeat on last day. India was so dominating that after first day's play, India's score was 334 for 1 and first three batsmen scored centuries. In 1991-92 India lost five Test series in Australia by 4-0. The only Test they could save was the one played at Sydney. Ravi Shastri scored a double century and Sachin Tendulkar scored a century. At SCG only in 2003-04, India scored 700 plus, riding on a double century by Tendulkar and century by Laxman. It was last Test match of legendary Steve Waugh and India almost defeated Australia in this Test.

I wrap up this discussion with something very interesting. Some relationships thrive spontaneously and some don't click even after someone vies for them desperately.

Sunil Gavaskar's wife belongs to Kanpur. Gavaskar always wanted to score a Test century at Kanpur in front of his in-laws. Ironically he failed in his first eight Test outings there. It was in his ninth Test at Kanpur in 1986-87 during fag end of this career, Gavaskar could score a century there. He was a relieved man.

These tales of typical relationships are beyond explanation but they are immensely interesting. As interesting and alluring as the game of cricket itself is.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)