New Delhi: Nobody is bigger than the game as the ‘alma mater’ is considered the ultimate. But one man had the guts to change this fact and he did it by establishing his own facts, with astonishing figures and fun-filled entertainment for more than two decades in India. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar turned a mere sport in India into a religion, which was, is and will be praised in our country for generations to come.
From a student of the game to becoming the God of the game, Tendulkar’s long journey in the world of cricket has been phenomenal. Regarded as the one of the greats the cricketing world has ever seen and will ever see, the Little Master, as he’s fondly known, achieved innumerable heights bestowing the world of cricket with a beautiful memories to cherish forever. Barring the countless records and milestones the curly-haired sensation broke and created, his greatness goes way beyond his professional prowess.
His art of learning and unlearning things till the last stage of life, his demeanour on and off the field, his camaraderie with the colleagues, his focus towards his work, his non-controversial life are few points that can be put forward in the making of one of the greats of the games. As Tendulkar celebrates his 51st birthday today, we look at some of the iconic moments of the Master Blaster in international cricket.
As just a 18-year old fresh chap, just two years into the game, Sachin showcased the signs of greatness right from the beginning. In a tense World Cup game against Pakistan, Sachin played a patient knock of unbeaten 54 runs, helping India reach 216/7 in the first innings. Pakistan fell short by 43 runs as Tendulkar played an anchor’s role with the willow.
India was two wickets down in the chase of 259 against Australia when the master landed on the crease. Tendulkar took on world class bowlers like Glenn McGrath and Shane Warner as he launched a counter-attack, smashing 90 in 84 balls but this classy innings could not work in India’s favour as the middle-order failed and India lost the game.
This probably was the first time when Tendulkar made the world realise that he just does bat well but bowls well too. He thrashed the Australian bowling with his fiery 141-run knock powering India to a mammoth score of over 300 runs. Later he proved that he can bowl as well by claiming four prized Aussie wickets to help India bag a memorable win.
This is considered to be the most memorable Sachin Tendulkar performance as this unprecedented episode kept everyone glued to the television sets. Team India required to beat Australia or finish with a better net run rate than New Zealand – the third team in the Coco Cola tri-series – to qualify for the final. Chasing an imposing target of 285, India needed 254 runs to make the cut but the Sharjah stadium was hit by a desert storm, resulting in suspension of play for about 30 minutes.
Post the break, the targets were revised with India needing 276 to win and 237 to qualify. Sachin launched an assault against the Australian bowlers, smashing them across the ground enroute to his classic ton which ensured India would take part in the final to be played two days later, after crossing their qualification target of 237.
A night we’ll never forget in our lives.
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