Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is arguably the most complete batsman of all time. In his illustrious career that lasted over 24 years, he changed Indian cricket completely. The batting maestro owns every possible batting record in both Tests and ODIs. Often he was the lone warrior for his team in the 90s and would be the only man standing against the opposition.
As the new millennium came he changed his approach and game but still making runs for fun remained constant. On the occasion of his 49th birthday, we look back at some of his most iconic knocks in both Test and ODIs. Selecting just 5 from his numerous legendary knocks wasn’t easy but we have tried to bring back some great memories through some of his epic knocks.
Here are the top 5 greatest knocks of Sachin Tendulkar of all time:
5. 136 vs Pakistan in 1999 at Chennai
Yes, this will forever remain one his greatest, simply because he stood alone against Pakistan while chasing 271 in the 4th innings. India had their back against the wall early as they lost 2 wickets for just 6 runs and in walked the little master with his MRF bat. He was up against a potent bowling line-up of Pakistan which consisted the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Saqlain Mushtaq.
Sachin himself had a point to prove after getting dismissed for a duck in the first innings. He started his innings steadily and trusted his defence on a pitch that was getting harder and harder to bat. Once he saw wickets falling in a heap at the other end he decided to shift gears. He took his chances against Saqlain and continued to be aggressive against him.
After reaching his half-century he activated his beast mode and punished the Pakistani attack. It looked as if he was batting at a different wicket to others and reached his hundred and was single-handedly taking India home for a famous win. He reached his century but he knew he had to remain till the end. Then suddenly he miscued a lofted drive and was caught on the off-side. Pin drop silence in the stadium and Sachin departed with India still needing 17 runs to win.
Pakistan ultimately won the match by 12 runs and Sachin’s greatest test innings went in vain.
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4. 241 vs Australia at Sydney
The 2004 Test series in Australia was proving to be a disaster. The Australian bowling attack troubled him and kept getting him out when he went for the cover drive outside off. Sachin before the innings made a promise to himself that he will not play a single drive in his next innings.
The rest is history as he went on to play a marathon knock of 241* in which he struck 33 boundaries but not a single boundary through the covers region. Steve Waugh who was playing his last test match went on to say “ He was just too good, we did not have any answer.“
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3. 200* vs South Africa 2010
Nobody had scored a double century in ODI innings before this match. Sachin Tendulkar had already passed his prime and was 37 years old. Not few could have imagined that the Master would score the first-ever double century in ODI history. The match was in Gwalior and the opposition that had to pay was South Africa.
He was in the mood from ball one and it looked as if the young Tendulkar was batting that day. He would effortlessly hit shots everywhere against both pace and spin and just like that he was batting on 199. The stadium in unison was chanting his name and finally, he dabbed a single on the offside and made history.
Ravi Shastri, from the commentary box, in his unique style said, “The first man on the planet to reach 200 and it’s the superman of India Sachin Tendulkar.”
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2. 98 vs Pakistan 2003 World Cup
The stage was set as India and Pakistan were facing each other in Centurion, in the 2003 World Cup. Batting first Pakistan had set a stiff target of 274 for India to chase and make it 4-0 against them in World Cups. Sachin Tendulkar at the peak of his prowess decided to dominate from the outset.
Second over was bowled by his great rival Shoaib Akthar and Tendulkar was all over him from ball one. He executed the famous square-cut for a six and then flicked the next ball for four. Akthar ran harder to ball the next one and Tendulkar presented the full face of the bat and played his trademark straight drive.
He won India the match in that very over and made 98 off just 75 deliveries. India chased down the target with 5 overs to spare courtesy of the little master.
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1. 134 vs Australia at Sharjah, 25th Birthday of Sachin
In 1998 Tendulkar was batting like a ‘GOD’ and everyone regarded him the best batsman ever since Sir Don Bradman. Only a couple of days ago he had played his iconic ‘Desert Storm’ innings that took India to the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup. Australia batted first in the final and India had a mountain to climb of 273 runs. Australia knew they were against one man that could win the match on his own.
The birthday boy who was celebrating his 25th birthday threw a party at Sharjah of his own. Sachin was in that zone again and was batting at a different level that many had not witnessed before. Talk about being destructive he was standing outside his crease and pulling the fast bowlers into the stands. Then came Shane Warne and in a matter of few minutes, he was also going the distance.
His face said it all as he also stood in awe of the genius. Sachin scored yet another century and gave a birthday gift to himself and every Indian. He scored 134 runs at a strike rate of over 100 and Indian won the final. This innings proved that there is Sachin daylight and everyone else.