Cricket History and Facts

Entertainment and Sports Direct (ESD) did acquire the theatrical telecast rights for IPL cricket matches. This was for the 2010 and 2019 seasons. The deal was worth Rs 330 crore as mentioned in the question.

Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed added 57 runs for the 10th wicket in the 4th innings against Australia in Karachi (1994-95), the most by any pair in a winning cause in Test history. Pakistan chased 314, and this crucial partnership sealed the victory. This remains one of the greatest finishes in Test cricket.

Vivian Richards scored the fastest Test century in just 56 balls against England in Antigua (1985-86). His record stood for decades until Brendon McCullum broke it in 2016 (51 balls). Richards' brutal innings included 7 fours and 6 sixes, showcasing his dominant batting style.

George Headley, the legendary West Indian batsman, was nicknamed 'the Black Bradman' for his exceptional batting average comparable to Don Bradman. He played in the 1930s-40s and was one of the earliest great West Indian cricketers. Worrell, Walcott, and Davis were also prominent West Indian players but didn't hold this nickname.

Zaheer Abbas, known as the 'Asian Bradman', scored over 100 centuries in first-class cricket during his career. He was a prolific run-scorer for Pakistan and Gloucestershire. Vijay Merchant and Ranjitsinhji were great batsmen but did not reach 100 first-class centuries.

Brian Lara scored his world record 501* for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994. This remains the highest individual score in first-class cricket. Lara was playing county cricket for Warwickshire at the time.

In the 1956 Old Trafford Test, Jim Laker took 19 wickets for England. The only other wicket was taken by his spin partner Tony Lock. This remains the record for most wickets in a Test match.

Charles Bannerman's 165 out of Australia's 245 meant he scored 67.3% of his team's total - still the highest proportion in Test history. It also remains the highest score by an Australian on debut. Both records have stood since the first Test in 1877.

Wilfred Rhodes holds the record for most wickets in first-class cricket with over 4,200 wickets. He played for Yorkshire and England in a career spanning decades. Tony Lock was a great bowler but not the record holder.

Vijay Merchant had a first-class batting average of 71.24, second only to Bradman's 95.14. George Headley also had a high average but not second-highest. Merchant played for India and was known for his technical excellence.

Hanif Mohammad's epic 499 for Karachi against Bahawalpur ended when he was run out. He needed just one more run for the world record (then held by Bradman's 452*). The innings lasted over 9 hours.

Ricky Ponting captained Australia to 48 Test victories, the most by any captain. He succeeded Steve Waugh as captain and led Australia during their dominant period. Allan Border and Clive Lloyd were great captains but didn't win as many Tests.

Alfred Shaw bowled the first ever ball in Test cricket and took the first wicket in the 1877 Melbourne Test. He was an English bowler who opened the bowling in that historic match. Barnes came later.

Brian Lara scored 28 runs in an over off Robin Peterson (South Africa) in 2003-04. This was a record for most runs in a Test over for many years. Afridi had hits 32 runs but that was in ODIs, not Tests.

In the 1999 World Cup semi-final between Australia and South Africa, Allan Donald was run out off the last ball when a single was needed. Damien Fleming was the bowler who delivered that final ball, resulting in the dramatic tie that sent Australia to the final based on previous head-to-head results.