I have been a crazy cricket fan since Sachin started playing and there are probably very few innings of his that I have not watched live (on TV, ofcourse). That said, there have been some great cricketing moments that have involved the master and here are a few from my recollection.
1992: Hero Cup semi-final vs. South Africa
The Proteas required 6 of the last over to win the game with one wicket in hand and the dependable Brian McMillan on strike. Sachin went up to the then captain, Mohammed Azharuddin to ask him for the ball since he believed he could pull it off. In the only over of the game that he bowled, he conceded only 3 runs and pulled off a miraculous victory.
1994: 2nd ODI vs. New Zealand in Auckland
Requiring to chase a modest 144 for victory, Sachin requested Azhar and Ajit Wadekar (then coach) to let him open the innings since Navjot Singh Sidhu was out with a stiff neck. He asked for only one opportunity with the self-imposed stipulation that he wouldn’t ask them again if he failed.
He scored 82 of 49 deliveries and India romped home in 23 overs.
1996: The World Cup in the subcontinent
Probably one of his best phases, Sachin scored 523 runs in 7 matches with 2 centuries and 3 fifties at an average of 87.16. He was the highest scorer in the world cup.
1998: India vs. Australia 1st Test match in Chennai
Sachin saved his best for the best team in what was his best year in international cricket. Out for 4 runs in the first innings to Shane Warne, Sachin came into bat in the second innings with India leading by 44 runs.
What followed was a master class innings of 155 not out despite Warne bowling round the wicket into the rough. India led by 347 runs at the end of Tendulkar’s assault and won the first match setting the tone for the remainder of the series.
1998: The 1st ODI vs. Australia in Kochi
Sachin got out for a paltry score but Ajay Jadeja held fort with a magnificent 104 to take India past the 300 mark. Australia was cruising at the 30-over mark when Azhar tossed the ball to Sachin. He turned his golden arm over and India won the match convincingly.
Man-of-the-match Sachin took 5 wickets for 32 runs in 10 overs of crafty leg spin that would have made Shane Warne proud.
1998: Twin centuries in the desert
The desert storm innings is now part of cricketing folklore. Chasing 284 for victory against Australia in Sharjah, Tendulkar was waging a one-man battle against the Aussies before a sand storm halted the match. After the storm subsided, India needed to score 246 to qualify for the finals against the same opponents.
In what can only be termed as savage counter attack through unbelievable cricketing shots, Tendulkar (143) smashed the Aussie bowlers all over the park to help India qualify for the final. The Aussies had been hit by the Sachin storm after the sand storm and did not recover from it even in the next match.
Sachin scored yet another clinical century (134) and helped India win the tournament on his 25th birthday.
1998: ICC quarter final vs. Australia
This match would be best remembered for the way Sachin single-handedly demolished the opposition. He scored a belligerent 141 in 128 deliveries and capped it with 4 wickets to win the match.
1999: The World Cup in England
It was during the World Cup that Sachin lost his father and flew back for the funeral. His mother goaded him to go back and play for the country, since that was what his father would have wanted.
Sachin came back and in the next match against Kenya, scored 140 of 101 deliveries despite the personal tragedy.
Notwithstanding the quality of the opposition, this innings stands out in my mind for the sheer grit and resolve he showed in managing to separate his personal tragedy from his duty towards the country.
1999: 1st Test match vs. Pakistan in Chennai
In my eyes, this probably was his greatest innings and also the most emotionally draining for him, the team and Indian spectators.
Chasing 271 for victory, India was tottering at 82 for 5. Tendulkar scored a brilliant 136 battling all odds and a severe back spasm. Shepherding Nayan Mongia, who played a good hand of 52, Sachin got out to a Saqlain Mustaq doosra, just 17 runs short of victory.
With 4 wickets in hand, India lost the plot and the game by 12 runs. Sachin was in tears and so was I.
2003: The World Cup in South Africa
By this time, it was an established fact for me that Sachin always performed at the biggest stage of international ODI cricket. The 98-run innings against Pakistan was one of his best one-day knocks and the six off Shoaib Akhtar over third man is etched in our memories. He also hit a similar shot against Sri Lanka off Dilhara Fernando.
But for me, the moment that defined the mind of this man in the mega event of cricket was a superb hook off Andrew Caddick that went for a six over midwicket. He scored 52 of 50 deliveries in that innings, of which 36 came off Caddick’s 19 deliveries.Caddick ended up with his most expensive bowling analysis and India won the match.
Sachin also scored 673 runs in the World Cup and was yet again the highest scorer at an average of 61.18.
2006: DLF Cup, 2nd ODI vs. West Indies in Kuala Lumpur
Sachin, now 33, had been criticised by many on his reflexes, his reduced flamboyance and his longevity.
Yet again, Sachin silenced his critics with an unbeaten 141 of 148 deliveries. Tendulkar scored his 40th ODI century in this comeback match after an injury layoff. He was 18 centuries ahead of the next in line – Saurav Ganguly and Sanath Jayasuriya.
2009: 5th ODI against Australia in Hyderabad
Sachin scored a chanceless 175 chasing 351 for victory before falling 19 runs short of victory. The Indian tail did not wag and we lost the match by 3 runs.
But this match stands out in my mind for landmarks achieved by Sachin – the 17,000 run mark and his 87th international hundred!
1992: Hero Cup semi-final vs. South Africa
The Proteas required 6 of the last over to win the game with one wicket in hand and the dependable Brian McMillan on strike. Sachin went up to the then captain, Mohammed Azharuddin to ask him for the ball since he believed he could pull it off. In the only over of the game that he bowled, he conceded only 3 runs and pulled off a miraculous victory.
1994: 2nd ODI vs. New Zealand in Auckland
Requiring to chase a modest 144 for victory, Sachin requested Azhar and Ajit Wadekar (then coach) to let him open the innings since Navjot Singh Sidhu was out with a stiff neck. He asked for only one opportunity with the self-imposed stipulation that he wouldn’t ask them again if he failed.
He scored 82 of 49 deliveries and India romped home in 23 overs.
1996: The World Cup in the subcontinent
Probably one of his best phases, Sachin scored 523 runs in 7 matches with 2 centuries and 3 fifties at an average of 87.16. He was the highest scorer in the world cup.
1998: India vs. Australia 1st Test match in Chennai
Sachin saved his best for the best team in what was his best year in international cricket. Out for 4 runs in the first innings to Shane Warne, Sachin came into bat in the second innings with India leading by 44 runs.
What followed was a master class innings of 155 not out despite Warne bowling round the wicket into the rough. India led by 347 runs at the end of Tendulkar’s assault and won the first match setting the tone for the remainder of the series.
1998: The 1st ODI vs. Australia in Kochi
Sachin got out for a paltry score but Ajay Jadeja held fort with a magnificent 104 to take India past the 300 mark. Australia was cruising at the 30-over mark when Azhar tossed the ball to Sachin. He turned his golden arm over and India won the match convincingly.
Man-of-the-match Sachin took 5 wickets for 32 runs in 10 overs of crafty leg spin that would have made Shane Warne proud.
1998: Twin centuries in the desert
The desert storm innings is now part of cricketing folklore. Chasing 284 for victory against Australia in Sharjah, Tendulkar was waging a one-man battle against the Aussies before a sand storm halted the match. After the storm subsided, India needed to score 246 to qualify for the finals against the same opponents.
In what can only be termed as savage counter attack through unbelievable cricketing shots, Tendulkar (143) smashed the Aussie bowlers all over the park to help India qualify for the final. The Aussies had been hit by the Sachin storm after the sand storm and did not recover from it even in the next match.
Sachin scored yet another clinical century (134) and helped India win the tournament on his 25th birthday.
1998: ICC quarter final vs. Australia
This match would be best remembered for the way Sachin single-handedly demolished the opposition. He scored a belligerent 141 in 128 deliveries and capped it with 4 wickets to win the match.
1999: The World Cup in England
It was during the World Cup that Sachin lost his father and flew back for the funeral. His mother goaded him to go back and play for the country, since that was what his father would have wanted.
Sachin came back and in the next match against Kenya, scored 140 of 101 deliveries despite the personal tragedy.
Notwithstanding the quality of the opposition, this innings stands out in my mind for the sheer grit and resolve he showed in managing to separate his personal tragedy from his duty towards the country.
1999: 1st Test match vs. Pakistan in Chennai
In my eyes, this probably was his greatest innings and also the most emotionally draining for him, the team and Indian spectators.
Chasing 271 for victory, India was tottering at 82 for 5. Tendulkar scored a brilliant 136 battling all odds and a severe back spasm. Shepherding Nayan Mongia, who played a good hand of 52, Sachin got out to a Saqlain Mustaq doosra, just 17 runs short of victory.
With 4 wickets in hand, India lost the plot and the game by 12 runs. Sachin was in tears and so was I.
2003: The World Cup in South Africa
By this time, it was an established fact for me that Sachin always performed at the biggest stage of international ODI cricket. The 98-run innings against Pakistan was one of his best one-day knocks and the six off Shoaib Akhtar over third man is etched in our memories. He also hit a similar shot against Sri Lanka off Dilhara Fernando.
But for me, the moment that defined the mind of this man in the mega event of cricket was a superb hook off Andrew Caddick that went for a six over midwicket. He scored 52 of 50 deliveries in that innings, of which 36 came off Caddick’s 19 deliveries.Caddick ended up with his most expensive bowling analysis and India won the match.
Sachin also scored 673 runs in the World Cup and was yet again the highest scorer at an average of 61.18.
2006: DLF Cup, 2nd ODI vs. West Indies in Kuala Lumpur
Sachin, now 33, had been criticised by many on his reflexes, his reduced flamboyance and his longevity.
Yet again, Sachin silenced his critics with an unbeaten 141 of 148 deliveries. Tendulkar scored his 40th ODI century in this comeback match after an injury layoff. He was 18 centuries ahead of the next in line – Saurav Ganguly and Sanath Jayasuriya.
2009: 5th ODI against Australia in Hyderabad
Sachin scored a chanceless 175 chasing 351 for victory before falling 19 runs short of victory. The Indian tail did not wag and we lost the match by 3 runs.
But this match stands out in my mind for landmarks achieved by Sachin – the 17,000 run mark and his 87th international hundred!
