The Kochi connection: Sachin Tendulkar’s special spells

Sachin Tendulkar has dominated many cricket grounds with the bat. In India and abroad, he has taken a liking to many venues where he has tormented bowlers. However, the Master Blaster was more than a part-time bowler. And he has a special connection with Kochi, let’s take a look at it.

In 270 innings, Tendulkar ended up taking 154 wickets in his ODI career. He claimed six four-wicket hauls and he managed to convert two of them into five-wicket hauls. Interestingly, both these fifers took place in Kochi.

5/32 vs AUS, 1998

In the first match of the tri-series, India batted first against Australia. Michael Kasprowicz struck early as he sent back Navjot Sidhu and Tendulkar in his first two overs. India posted 309/5 with Ajay Jadeja scoring 105* and Mohd Azharuddin’s 82.

In reply, Australia were off to a flying start. Their openers added 102 runs. After the fall of the first three wickets, they were placed at 203/3. From here, Tendulkar took control as he sent back Michael Bevan and Steve Waugh. His five-wicket haul saw Australia crashing to 259/9. India eventually won by 41 runs.

5/50 vs PAK, 2005

This time it was Naved-ul-Hasan who sent Tendulkar back early. India were 4/2 when Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid stitched a 201-run partnership. India soon finished their innings with a score of 281/8.

Indian pacers did not allow Pakistan to make a solid start. The trio of Zaheer Khan, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Ashish Nehra claimed early wickets as the visitors skittled to 64/4. Tendulkar extinguished their remaining hopes with a five-wicket haul. His wickets included Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi among others.