⚡ Cricket On This Day: Cricket’s Global Milestones & Record-Breaking Feats (June 29)

June 28, 2025

🏏 Introduction: A Day Etched in Cricketing Gold

June 29 isn't just another day in cricket history—it's a triple treat of historic moments that span across decades, formats, and generations. From Sachin Tendulkar crossing 15,000 ODI runs in 2007, to India’s emotional T20 World Cup victory in 2024, and the record-smashing Women’s Test innings in the same year, this date showcases cricket’s dynamic evolution.

Whether it's the flair of white-ball magic or the patience of red-ball mastery, June 29 stands tall in cricketing folklore. Let’s revisit the moments that define this monumental date.

Cricket On This Day

🛡️ 1. 2007: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar Becomes First to Reach 15,000 ODI Runs

On June 29, 2007, in the scenic setting of Belfast, Northern Ireland, during India’s tour of South Africa, cricket witnessed a timeless feat. Sachin Tendulkar, the man known as the God of Cricket, became the first player in history to score 15,000 ODI runs.

Match Summary:

Teams: India vs South Africa
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
Date: 29 June 2007
Format: ODI Series (Future Cup)

Tendulkar scored a classic 93 off 106 balls, guiding India to a solid total and ultimately a victory.

The Milestone:

Tendulkar reached 15,000 runs during his 387th ODI. To put this in perspective:

Next best at the time: Sanath Jayasuriya (~12,000 runs)
Tendulkar’s ODI career run tally ended at 18,426 runs from 463 matches

Why It Mattered:

Cemented Tendulkar’s GOAT status
Reinforced the importance of longevity and consistency
Inspired a new generation of cricket fans and players

Funny Fan Quote:

“15,000 runs and still not out of form. My calculator gave up before he did.”

🏆 2. 2024: India Wins ICC Men’s T20 World Cup After 11 Years

Fast forward to June 29, 2024—an unforgettable night in Barbados. India lifted their second T20 World Cup trophy, ending a drought that stretched back to the inaugural edition in 2007.

Match Summary:

Final: India vs South Africa
Venue: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Result: India won by 7 runs

Match Highlights:

India: 176/7 (Virat Kohli 76 off 59)
South Africa: 169/8 (Hardik Pandya 3/20)
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli

Emotional Rollercoaster:

Rohit Sharma’s captaincy was lauded for tactical brilliance
Jasprit Bumrah bowled a match-defining 19th over
Virat Kohli announced this would be his last T20I match
Rohit Sharma also retired from T20Is after the win

Reactions:

“This is not just a trophy—it’s closure. For 2007. For 2014. For 2016. For 2022.” — Indian fan on X (formerly Twitter)

Why It’s Legendary:

Ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought
Emotional high for Indian fans and players
Marked the symbolic handover to the next generation

Trivia:

Kohli became the highest run scorer in T20 WC history
India’s only two T20 WC titles came 17 years apart—both under charismatic leaders

🧨 3. 2024: India Women Rewrite Test History Against South Africa

On the same historic day, June 29, 2024, the Indian Women’s cricket team dismantled record books in a one-off Test against South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

Day 1 Scorecard:

India Women: 525/4 (90 overs)
Highest runs scored in a single day of a Women’s Test

Star Performers:

Shafali Verma: 205 off 194 balls
Smriti Mandhana: 149 off 161 balls
Opening Partnership: 354 runs (record)

Why It Shocked The World:

Aggression never before seen in women’s Tests
Verma’s double century was the fastest in Women’s Test history
Crowds packed Chepauk, creating a WPL-like atmosphere

Quotes:

“It felt like IPL, but with heart and history.” — Fan at Chepauk

Impact:

Raised conversations around multi-day formats in women’s cricket
Boosted popularity and viewership of women’s red-ball matches
Inspired young girls to embrace Test cricket

Dark Humor:

“South Africa didn’t just bowl—they attended a batting masterclass… involuntarily.”

🕰️ 4. 1950: West Indies’ First Ever Test Victory in England

Let’s rewind to June 29, 1950, when the West Indies defeated England at Lord’s for the first time ever.

Match Recap:

Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Result: West Indies won by 326 runs
Key Bowlers: Ramadhin (11 wickets), Valentine (7 wickets)

Significance:

Marked the rise of Caribbean cricket
First victory on English soil
Launched the legend of spin twins Ramadhin & Valentine

Fun Fact:

After the win, Lord Beginner recorded “Victory Calypso” — the first cricket song to go viral (in 1950s standards).

🎉 5. Birthdays & Farewells on June 29

Born on this Day:

Jeff Moss (Australia) – Test & ODI cricketer (1947)
Paul Jarvis (England) – Known for raw pace and fiery spells (1965)

Remembering:

Goolam Rajah – Beloved South Africa team manager (passed away June 29, 2021)
- Managed over 400 international games
- Praised for professionalism, empathy, and calm during crises

🤯 6. Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts

Chris Gayle scored his 20th T20 century in CPL on June 29, 2017
Shafali Verma's strike rate in her double-century was 105+, unheard of in red-ball cricket
June 29, 2024, saw India win two matches on two continents: men in Barbados, women in Chennai

Fan Joke:

“June 29 should be a public holiday in India. Let’s call it Cricket Day.”

📊 7. Why June 29 is a Golden Date in Cricket

Across decades, continents, and genders, June 29 has delivered magic:

🏆 Records: From Tendulkar’s runs to Verma’s double century
💥 Emotion: From Rohit and Kohli’s farewells to vintage Windies glory
🌍 Legacy: From women’s Test revival to generational shifts

It’s a reminder that cricket is not just a sport—it’s an evolving, breathing cultural movement.

🏁 Conclusion: The Day That Had Everything

June 29 is a microcosm of what makes cricket beautiful: unmatched individual feats, emotional farewells, historic wins, and moments that redefine the sport’s trajectory. From Tendulkar’s bat in Belfast to Verma’s fireworks in Chennai and Kohli’s heroics in Bridgetown—this is a day for the cricketing gods.

Come back tomorrow—another date, another cricketing saga.