Cricket with its rich heritage shares a beautiful history. Cricket is not only about bat and ball or runs and wicket, instead it is about the spirit that lies in the competition and serves us with the joy of playing the sport with our close ones.
One such cricketing series that shares beautiful history and serves us with joy of cut-throat competition is The Freedom Series.
Freedom Series
The winner of the Test cricket series between South Africa and India is named the Freedom Series. The trophy honors Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Mahatma Gandhi of India, two notable liberation fighters. As a result, the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy is another name for the series.
Historical Connection
Mahatma Gandhi made the greatest contribution in bringing independence to India. Both countries struggled immensely for independence. By utilizing peacefulness and noncooperation as their weapons, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were able to free their nations. In South Africa, Nelson Mandela is respected as the Mahatma Gandhi.
The cricket sheets of South Africa and India chosen back in 2015 that any reciprocal arrangement they played each other would be alluded to as the Gandhi-Mandela Arrangement. It is also referred to as the Freedom Trophy when played in Test cricket matches. This pays tribute to Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.
The Trophy
Going back to 2015, Anurag Thakur, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), point by point that the Opportunity Trophy would be the title of the Test course of activity. Opportunity stands for the nation’s freedom, which was won after a long time of abuse through the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The Gandhi-Mandela Series was established in honor of both great personalities.
The Indian Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa were planning to create a trophy in the names of Gandhi and Mandela in a unique way. Initially, the Indian board decided to use the road of the jail where Mahatma Gandhi stayed to make the trophy. However, it wasn’t possible. On the other hand, Cricket South Africa also couldn’t do it. In the end, both countries came up with a different solution. BCCI decided to create a special trophy made of gold-plated layer to symbolize the series. This trophy featured images of both these prominent figures.
On Field Battles
Cricket can be a hotly debated sport and has seen many fierce rivalries taking place between various nations. The records are made, and you know what records are made to break. One such record breaking test match took place between India and South Africa in Cape Town. The records kept on tumbling with each passing session of the match. At the end of the game, it was recorded as the shortest test match ever.
After winning the toss South Africa elected to Bat first. And in response India rattled The Proteas batting unit for a bare minimum total of 55. South Africa were bundled within a session after the commencement of the game.
In response India took the control of the game and saw the brighter ways forward.
In the shortest test match ever, it was India’s first win in Cape Town in seven attempts. Courtesy of a fabulous bowling display from India’s bowling prowess Mohamed Siraj that helped India restrict South Africa to a minimal total of 55. Siraj was adjudged Man of the match for his beautiful display of bowling in the game.
With a staggering century within the moment innings, Aiden Markram was the solitary warrior who turned the tables on the restriction. For the primary time ever, a player accomplished a century whereas his partners fizzled to score indeed 20 runs in either of the two innings. India won within the conclusion of the amusement in spite of Aiden’s best endeavors.
South Africa onto the second day was not able to start well. They lost an early wicket in the initial stage of the day. David Bedingham got out trying to hit a shot off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling.
Kyle Verreynne had a short stay, as he was trying to play a pull shot he was caught by Mohammed Siraj. Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul by taking the wicket of Keshav Maharaj, leaving South Africa fighting at 111 runs for 7 wickets.
However, Markram played exceptionally well despite the difficult pitch conditions. He scored most of his runs between backward point and extra cover, playing some beautiful shots. He reached his fifty in 68 balls and then quickly completed his hundred in just 31 more balls, hitting Prasidh Krishna for two sixes and two fours in one over. He also had a stroke of luck when he was dropped by KL Rahul on 73 runs. Eventually, Siraj dismissed Markram, who was attempting another big shot.
After Markram’s dismissal, Kagiso Rabada fell quickly, and South Africa’s innings ended soon after.
In India’s chase, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal started aggressively, adding 44 runs in 5.4 overs. However, Jaiswal got out trying to pull a short ball and was caught at deep-backward square leg. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli also got out, but Shreyas Iyer hit the winning boundary, securing India’s victory.
The Pitch used for the game had to face a lot of criticism after the game was concluded. The pitch was Rated below Average by International Cricket Council
(ICC).This Game also saw a legend ending his great career on a high and setting a benchmark for the youngsters around the Nation.
Conclusion
To sum up, The battle taking place on field is the means to bring the fans around the globe together with it’s fierce but friendly rivalry. The Rivalry with it’s cutthroat competition has served as a contest to watch out for.
Taking future of the rivalry into consideration the series promises to serve us with the best cricketing moments that will embark it’s own name into chapter’s of history of this beautiful Sports.
For Fan’s it has been a pleasure to evidence some of the legend’s of the game in the Face of AB Devilliers, JP Duminy, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and many more. The Rivalry has produced quite a few legend’s and promises to serve many more in the future.
