1995 – Azharuddin Leads India to Asia Cup Glory

On this day, India won their fourth consecutive Asia Cup in Sharjah, thanks to Mohammad Azharuddin’s blazing 90 off 90 balls. After restricting Sri Lanka to 230 with Venkatesh Prasad’s tidy spell, Azhar and Sidhu added an unbeaten 175-run stand. Azhar’s heroics earned him a golden scabbard with a steel sword as a token of admiration.

1990 – Adrian Barath, West Indies Prodigy, is Born

Adrian Barath, a young talent from Trinidad, was born on this day. He caught Brian Lara's attention at just 11 and made a memorable Test debut in 2009 with a century in Australia. Despite early success, inconsistent performances and injuries hampered his career. By 2012, he was dropped from both the West Indies' Test and ODI squads.

1984 – JP Duminy is Born

Born on this day, JP Duminy became a key middle-order batsman for South Africa. His Test debut was remarkable—scoring a match-winning 50 in Perth and a commanding 166 in Melbourne. Though his Test form fluctuated, he remained a reliable ODI performer and helped set a record fifth-wicket partnership of 256 in the 2015 World Cup.

1965 – Craig McDermott is Born

Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott was born on this day. He made headlines in the 1985 Ashes by taking 30 wickets in six Tests as a 19-year-old. Despite recurring injuries, he became Australia’s spearhead in the early '90s. McDermott took 291 Test wickets and later served as the national team's bowling coach from 2011 to 2012.

1965 – Selector Turned Umpire: Gerry Gomez

Despite being West Indies' chairman of selectors, Gerry Gomez stepped in as an emergency umpire in a Test against Australia in Guyana. Cecil Kippins had withdrawn over a dispute, forcing Gomez—who had never umpired first-class cricket before—to take the field. His rare appearance remains a unique footnote in cricket history.

1960 – Pat Symcox is Born

South Africa's Pat Symcox, born today, was known more for his gritty lower-order batting than his offspin. In a memorable series against Pakistan, he smashed 81 and 55, then took 3 for 8 to clinch a famous win in Faisalabad. He also became the third No. 10 to hit a Test century, scoring 108 in Johannesburg during the 1997-98 season.

1947 – Bob Massie is Born

Bob Massie, the Aussie swing sensation, was born on this day. His Test debut at Lord’s in 1972 was extraordinary: 16 wickets for 137 runs, a debut record that stood for 15 years. However, his success was short-lived. He played just five more Tests and faded quickly, failing to match the heroics of his unforgettable first appearance.

1931 – Bruce Pairaudeau is Born

Bruce Pairaudeau, born in British Guiana, scored a superb 115 on his Test debut for West Indies against India in 1953. Unfortunately, his form declined sharply thereafter—only six more double-figure scores followed in 20 innings. He eventually moved to New Zealand, where he continued playing domestic cricket for several years.

1870 – Birth of Syd Gregory

Born at the SCG, Syd Gregory was a key figure in early Australian cricket. A skilled right-hander, he played 58 Tests from 1890 to 1912, including a record 52 Ashes matches. He scored a memorable 201 in Sydney's inaugural Test in 1894-95. Gregory captained a depleted side in the 1912 Triangular Tournament before retiring from the game.