Maxwell's 201 vs Kapil's 175: A dead heat

I am on the horns of a dilemma. For 40 years, I believed, propagated and argued that Kapil Dev’s 175 not out against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup was the finest ODI century ever. Not just in World Cups, mind you, but in the history of ODI cricket. Now Kapil Dev’s iconic innings at the quaint Nevil Ground in Tunbridge Wells all those years back has a rival.

- Ayaz Memon

Glen Maxwell’s seismic 201 not out on Tuesday night against Afghanistan at the Wankhede Stadium was a riveting saga of tenacity, physical courage, audacious strokeplay, some luck which comes to the brave and insane self-belief; a crazy knock that turned cricket logic and the match upside down leaving not just the Afghans, but all those who were at the stadium bewildered, mind-boggled.

It was a tour de force, I venture there have been only two, Kapil’s 175 being the other. Let me explain why.

Centuries abound in ODIS. Those made in World Cups enjoy greater prestige given the importance of the tournament, and among these, those scored in finals obviously get greater weightage.

Clive Lloyd’s bludgeoning 102 in the 1975 final, Viv Richards electrifying century in the 1979, Aravinda de Silva’s masterly 107* in 1996 against Australia, Ricky Ponting’s belligerent 140 versus India in 2003, Adam Gilchrist’s swashbuckling 149 against Sri Lanka in 2007 were all instrumental in winning the title. Mahela Jayawarndena’s sublime century in the 2011 final against India went in vain, but showcased a maestro at work.