Best of Sachin #2 – Which is the best innings according to you?
Throughout his illustrious playing career, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar enthralled cricket fans all over the world with his unbelievable run-making. Each of his 100 international centuries has left an everlasting impact on Indian cricket. While the other knocks have redefined the game itself in many ways. In this exclusive series ‘Best of Sachin’, we take a look at the most special knocks to have come out of the Master’s willow.
Tendulkar played in as many as 782 innings across all three formats of the game in his career. We bring you a collection of 15 of his best innings in batches of 3. Here’s the fourth lot:
143 v Australia, Sharjah (1998)
India were chasing 285 against Australia in the penultimate game of the Coca-Cola Cup 1998 in Sharjah. At least, that was the target when the pursuit began. A desert storm then shortened the game, adding to India’s difficulties. However, Sachin conquered both the storm and the Aussies with his epic knock of 143. None of his teammates crossed 40 while the Maestro single-handedly ensured India’s spot in the final of this triangular series.
140* vs Kenya, Bristol (1999)
The most difficult battles are the ones that you have to fight within yourself. While the opponents here, Kenya, were not the most daunting, the tragic situations of that time make this knock stand out from Sachin’s array of brilliant knock. After performing the last rites of his father, the Indian legend returned to take his place in the World Cup campaign. Overcoming the grief, he cracked 140 from just 101 balls as India sauntered to 329/2 in 50 overs. It proved enough as India secured a 94-run victory.
82 vs New Zealand, Auckland (1994)
Image courtesy: TOI
This blistering knock against New Zealand in 1994 was an important innings not only in Sachin’s career but also for India’s fortunes in ODI cricket. India’s regular opener Navjot Singh Sidhu was ruled out because of his stiff neck. Sachin requested his captain and coach for opening the batting in Sidhu’s absence. Chasing a modest total of 143, the Master Blaster smashed 82 runs in just 49 balls, unbelievable in that era as India coasted home with 160 balls to spare. Becoming a regular opener thereafter, Sachin still remains the highest run-getter as an opener in ODIs.
