A little master

It was a day in the November of 1989, Karachi when two young and talented players made cricketing debuts for their respective nations. One went on to be part of the famous pace attack that his national cricket team possessed and also captained his side later.

The other became a legend.

At 16, every cricketer who ever got to see him before had already noticed the genius within the kid. Yet it took time to blossom. And so it did in the many years to come, to be hailed the  "greatest batsman" to have ever played the game. Even the Don, had  that he saw what he was once, within this legend.

The kid was also known for his bravery in his very first international test series. He batted with a bleeding nose to help Navjot Sidhu and India draw the last test of the four test series in 1989, just enabling India a great achievement of not losing a test series in the neighbour's soil.


Yup, no price for guessing. Its Sachin Tendulkar that I am talking about. He has an experience in International cricket, which is older than my age. He began playing cricket at an age when i didnt know of a thing called a bat. Yet he has influenced so many generation of cricket viewers and players worldwide. His achievements can never be put to a scale. His talent unquestionable, and his charm-unmatchable.

So, I, as a simple fan of his, have attempted to list down my most favorite knocks of the legend in tests and ODIs respectively. 

ODIs:
5.186* vs NZ, Hyderabad, 1999
His highest score in a ODI. Slayed the new zealand attack on a belter.

4.98 vs Pakistan, Centurion, 2003
High voltage tension. Shoaib Akhtar's bouncer in excess of 150kmph. Sachin's wrists rotate so that the bat is above his shoulder. The ball makes contact. Upper cut. The ball goes to the third man fence for a six. This small hit summed up his stunning world cup efforts.

3.175 vs Australia, Hyderabad, 2009
Too long, yet too short. Tendulkar made chasing 351 on a belter against a less potent australian attack too simple until he fell 17 runs short allowing India to choke(again).

2.117* vs Australia, Sydney, 2008
Couldnt have timed his first ODI century in Australia better. Led from the front to guide India to its first final victory against Australia in Australia. A stunning knock, to which he followed up with a 91 to lead India to its first ODI series triumph against the Aussies Down under.

1.143 vs Australia, Sharjah, 1998
Part one of the desert storm knocks. India, hit by a sand storm while chasing down 284, was given a reduced target of 276 runs(with 237 reqd to qualify for the final)in 46 overs. Then came Sachin, as he dismantled the Aussie bowling attack to all parts of the ground. Yet he couldnt win the match for India. But he compensated for that by hitting an unbeaten 134 in the final 2 days later to give India a famous win at Sharjah. This knock of 143 however, tilted the debate of the greatest batsman ever, in his favor. It still remains the best one day knock I have seen of this great man.

Tests:
5.241* vs Australia, Sydney,2004
Scored a mammoth double century at his favorite Australian ground as India piled on a massive 705. Yet, the aussies hung on for a draw to deny India's first series victory down under.

4.119* vs England, Old trafford, 1990
His first test century ever. One among his only three fourth innings test centuries. Needing to bat out a day for a draw, he played an attacking innings bringing India, sniffing distance to the actual target. India, though had to settle for a draw, had threatened England.

3.114 vs Australia, Perth, 1994
With all the other Indian batsman crumbling to the sheer bounce at the Perth wicket, Sachin stood up tall, put up a marathon ninth wicket, and attacked the bowlers from the backfoot. Some of the pulls and cuts were sheer genius. The way he attacked the bowlers is something that is admired even today. Yet, one man cant give a team a victory.

2.136 vs Pakistan, Chennai, 1999
So close, yet so far. Sachin made an almost match-winning knock of 136 against arch-rivals Pakistan braving back pain. He fell 17 short of victory. But the Indian tail collapsed leaving India a gasping 12 runs short of victory. This is probably his almost-greatest knock ever.

1.103* vs England, Chennai, 2008
On a crumbling wicket, with a belligerent start given by Sehwag, Sachin made chasing down 387 look easy. It was the highest target ever chased in the sub continent. And this is knock is till date, his only fourth innings century which won the match for India. And, personally, i have placed this knock at the top, comparing the 136(mentioned above) only because India won this match at the end.

Despite all the glories, Sachin still has many regrets. He has often not been able to win a match despite all his efforts. He hasnt won the world cup for India yet. And the regret list goes on. Yet he is a legend, the greatest batsman ever, and a God to cricket maniacs.

Salute to the legend.May be play on and on and on....


cheers,