A swashbuckling batter, Virender Sehwag revolutionized the way India approached opening the innings. He burst onto the international scene with a debut century against South Africa in 2001-02, earning comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar. Sehwag’s first triple-century came in Multan in 2003-04, and he followed it up with the fastest Test triple-century off just 278 balls four years later. His 319 against South Africa made him only the third player after Bradman and Lara to score two triple centuries. Overseas tours in Sri Lanka and India produced memorable knocks, including 251 at Galle in 2007-08 and a scintillating 293 at the Brabourne in 2009. In ODIs, he became the second man to score a double-hundred, smashing 219 against West Indies in 2011. By 2015, after a decline in Test form, he retired, leaving behind a legacy of fearless strokeplay.

New Zealand women claimed their first T20I World Cup, beating South Africa by 32 runs in Dubai. Chasing 159, South Africa started steadily but Amelia Kerr, fighting cramps, dismissed Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch to turn the tide. Marizanne Kapp’s dismissal in the deep effectively ended South Africa’s hopes. Kerr had earlier top-scored for New Zealand with 43, supported by Suzie Bates (32) and Brooke Halliday (38). The bowlers defended a modest total to secure a historic win.

Hours before their women’s side won the T20I World Cup, New Zealand men secured their first Test victory in India since 1988, in Bengaluru. Rain claimed the first day, and Matt Henry’s 5 for 15 on the second day reduced India to a historic low of 46 all out, including ducks for Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. Devon Conway (91) and Rachin Ravindra (134) guided New Zealand to 462, with Tim Southee’s 65 adding depth. India fought back with Sarfaraz Khan’s 150 and Rishabh Pant’s 99, but Ravindra and Will Young chased down the target with eight wickets to spare.

Allan Donald, South Africa’s first fast bowler to take 300 Test wickets, was an athletic and hostile competitor. Known for his duels with top batsmen like Mike Atherton and dismissing Brian Lara six times in eight innings, Donald thrived on challenge. Despite his ferocity, he struggled against Australia and was run out in the 1999 World Cup semi-final. Injuries eventually curtailed his career.

In Sheikhupura, Wasim Akram made history with an unbeaten 257, the highest score by a No. 8 in Tests. His innings included 12 sixes, surpassing Wally Hammond’s previous record. Partnering with Saqlain Mushtaq, Akram added 323 for the eighth wicket, yet the match ended in a draw.

Navjot Sidhu, born today, was a batter who dominated spin attacks with a block-block-thwack technique. He compiled slow, boundary-rich centuries, including 124 against Sri Lanka (1992-93) and a marathon 201 in Trinidad (1996-97). Sidhu famously targeted John Emburey with nine sixes before international matches began, and later became a popular but eccentric TV commentator. He faced legal troubles with a homicide charge stemming from a 1988 incident, ultimately stayed by the Supreme Court.

Australian allrounder Mitchell Marsh comes from a cricketing family. While primarily a bowler capable of 140kph, he contributed with the bat, scoring 87 and 47 in his second Test (2014) and two Ashes centuries in 2017-18. Marsh impacted Australia’s ODI World Cups in 2015 and 2023, and scored 77* off 50 in the 2021 T20 World Cup final. He made a valuable hundred at Headingley in the 2023 Ashes. In 2024, he became Australia’s T20 captain but lost his Test place.

Sri Lanka claimed their first multi-team one-day series victory in Sharjah, defeating West Indies in the final by 50 runs. Aravinda de Silva scored a quick 50, and Muttiah Muralitharan’s 3 for 31 sealed the win. This performance foreshadowed their World Cup triumph later that year in Lahore.

Chris Cowdrey, born today, was England’s captain for one Test in 1988. When called up, a Headingley attendant didn’t recognize him, barring him from the car park. England lost the match by ten wickets, and Cowdrey’s brief tenure ended when a foot injury kept him out, replaced by Graham Gooch. His selection was controversial, aided by connections to the chairman of selectors, Peter May.