Again at a time where I think of writing something on mouthshut, my mind ponders over various topics. I try to think over a few topics, which might need me to put in lot of efforts to write. So again I make up my mind and realize the reality that, I can hardly go beyond cricket and movies. So here I am to write one more on my favorite game and one my favorite cricketer. Being an ardent fan of Sachin I can write loads of information, but it will only be replica of the various articles published time and again in various magazines and papers. So I go directly into my topic.
Well, to be fair to his efforts I would like to rate the five best one day innings by Sachin, based on two categories one when India has been the winning and other when it was in the losing side.
When India won the game:
1. His 134 vs. Australia (1998 Coco Cola cup Final):
This is was his treat to his team and nation for his Birthday. After playing a chanceless innings in the previous game, which made India to qualify for the finals, he came up with an equal performance on the final. This is one of the best efforts till date. He punished all the bowlers all round the park and was unlucky to be dismissed. Great innings!!
2. 98 vs. Pakistan (2003 world cup):
Indo- Pak Clashes are always exciting. This one was no less. Pakistan playing first put up a competitive total and India had to contend with the pace trio of shoaib, wasim and Waqar. Sachin tendulkar was so aggressive taking 18 of his first over with the thunderous six over third man. Half way through the innings he had to cope with a nagging groin injury. But he held his cool, and brought India victory with dravid and yuvaraj finishing off in style.
3. 139 vs. Australia (2001 Indoor):
This was the fourth match in the one-day series between India and Australia. In all the three matches prior to this tendulkar seemed to stroking the ball really well but couldn’t convert the start he got to bigger ones. In addition to this he was inching towards the 10, 000 mark in one day international. So he started of cautiously, and then cut loose reaching his 10000 runs and notching up another well-made century. He hit martyn for three consecutive fours in an over and shifted to top gear.
4. 128 vs. Srilanka (1998, Singer nidahas Trophy final):
Batting first in the final of the Independence cup for srilanka, the Indian openers sachin and Saurav made an arousing start. They put on a record partnership for the opening wicket, 252 runs. Tendulkar attacked right from the first ball and notched up yet another century got in less than run a ball. He finally fell to dubious stumping decision from the third umpire of Sanath jayasurya
5. 186* vs. New Zealand (1999, Hydrebad):
Tendulkar just toyed with the kiwi bowlers that day. He was on the verge of breaking saeed anwars record of 194 as he reached 186 * just 8 short of that land mark. He was seeing the ball as big as a football. India reached a record 376 for 2 with a 331 run stand between Sachin and Dravid. It was just a treat to watch the little master cut loose and attack the bowlers all round the park.
When India lost the game:
1. 143 vs. Australia (1998 Coco cola cup, Sharjah):
Regarded as one of the best one-day innings ever played, it’s the most memorable match for me till date. India was a set a stiff target to achieve to reach the final of the tri nation series. Tendulkar batted through the innings against the odds of Aussie bowlers, a sudden stand storm, collapse of the other Indian Batsmen. Sidhu stood up and saluted at sachin as he returned towards the pavilion, such was the greatness of this innings.
2. 137 vs. Srilanka (1996 World cup, Delhi):
This was a crucial match in the world cup. India got everything right till the mid ways of the match. They were put into bat in a good wicket to bat on. Tendulkar smashed a well-made 137 with 8 boundaries and 5 sixes. He was in particular severe on pushmakumara taking 26 runs of his one single over. He was in his prime form during the series. India was on course for a great victory but for Sanath jayasurya.
3. 90 vs. Australia (1996 World cup, Mumbai):
India had to chase a target of 259 runs set by the Australians. India started of badly losing three wickets very early. Tendulkar was at his best counter attacking the Aussies, He made a valiant 90 of 84 balls with 14 fours and 1 six. He was particularly severe on McGrath lofting him for a six over the midwicket boundary. When victory was closing in for the Indians, he was out smarted by a mark Waugh delivery and got stumped.
4. 141 vs. Pakistan (2004 Friendship series, Rawal pindi):
We were set a mammoth target of 330 runs by the host. Tendulkar waged a lone battle stroking 17 boundaries and 1 six on his way to 141 runs of 135 balls. Due to the lack of support Indian fell short by 13 runs with 10 balls to spare. It was a great effort but unfortunately much to his own dismay he got out at the wrong time of the innings. Nevertheless it was a staggering effort.
5. 91 vs. England (1997 Akai- Singer Champions trophy, Sharjah):
India was set a target of 251 in a two-paced track. The ball wasn’t coming on to the bat, as the Indians would have liked it. Sachin tendulkar coming in at number four held the innings together with a better than run a ball 91 as wickets kept falling around him. He was stuck in the dilemma of whether to attack or to stay at the crease. Then the little man losing his temper tried to be too aggressive and threw his wicket away. It was again a great innings, which faded away due to the lack of support from other team members.