SACHIN THE MASTER BLASTER
G WORLD CRICKET SECTION


Sachin - "Master Blaster" Sachin has enthralled his legions of fans with many a great innings in the ten years that he has played cricket. We take a look back of some of these superlative innings that have earned him the fan following of millions.

1] 27th March 1994: India vs New Zealand, Eden Park Auckland
It was a day when Sachin opened the innings for the first time in ODI's. Opener Navjot Singh Sidhu got injured and although India were chasing a small victory target of 146 no batsman was willing to open on a seaming track. But Sachin took the responsibility of opening the innings. And what a happy accident it turned out to be as he smashed 82 off 43 balls. Describing this knock Sachin said "Such innings s are possible only once in a life time. It was like a dream,"

2] 15th April, 1996: India vs Pakistan, Sharjah
Pakistan have always had an edge over their arch rivals at Sharjah and 1996 was no different. India had lost both their games one to Pakistan and the other to South Africa. In a must win game Sachin Tendulkar displayed guts, determination and smashed a brilliant hundred. He shared a wonderful second wicket partnership of 232 runs along with Navjot Sidhu and helped India to a total of 305. Incidentally, it was the first time that India scored in excess of 300 runs in a one day match.

3] 22nd April 1998: India vs Australia
("Sandstorm innings"), Sharjah "The best innings he has ever played" is how commentator Ravi Shastri described Sachin's performance on that eventful, emotionally draining and nerve jangling day at Sharjah. India were playing Australia who after batting first put up a massive 283 runs putting the Indians under pressure. India needed to win the match to qualify for the finals of the Coca Cola Cup or end up 30 runs short of the Australian score in order to get a back door entry into the finals and pip the Kiwis. After losing foru quick wickets a struggling VVS Laxman came in to join Sachin and the Indians seemed to be staring defeat in the face, needing more than a run a ball in the remaining 20 odd overs. As if things were not bad enough then a massive sandstorm came in from no where and interrupted the game for about half an hour. The target was readjusted and India needed to get 237 in 46 overs and the asking rate became more steep - India were asked to get 94 runs in 87 balls. But before resuming his innings Sachin assured his coach Anshuman Gaekwad by saying, "Don't worry, I'll be there till the end." Such was his confidence and determination. He smashed the first ball off Michael Kasprowicz for a six and then almost like a man posessed made 143, taking India get into the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup. India lost the match by 20 odd runs but that superb knock helped India have one more crack at the Aussies in the finals on Sachin Tendulkar's birthday.

4] 24th April 1998 India vs Australia
("Happy Birthday Sachin") Finals of the Coca Cola Trophy, Sharjah The crowds at the Sharjah, had come with banners wishing Sachin a happy 25th birthday along with their intense desire to see him play another one of those blinders and take India to victory. Sachin didn't disappoint them. Australia had put up a huge target of 273 and that meant India had quite a chase on their hands. Before the Indian innings began noted Australian commentator Greg Chappell made a telling comment and he said, "Sachin will be feeling just a little bit drained from his previous effort and the weight of the entire Indian population will be on his young shoulders." He was right but Sachin went about his task with clinical precision and made 134. He unleashed some of his breathtaking strokes and power only after he had ensured that India were well on the road to victory. After depositing Aussie paceman Michael Kasprowicz on to the roof of the Sharjah stadium, noted TV commentator Tony Greig said, "This little man is the nearest thing to Bradman there's ever been." Sachin ended up sweeping almost all the awards after India emerged victorious. He also won an Opel Astra for his efforts at Sharjah an award which he dedicated to his wife, on his 25th birthday.

5] 29th May, 1999 India vs Kenya
("This one's for you dad"), India vs Kenya, Bristol Sachin Tendulkar's 140 not out in the match against Kenya said a lot about the temperament that Sachin possesses. India were under pressure to win the match to stay in contention as they had lost their previous two games to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Sachin had not taken part in the match against Zimbabwe as he had to return to India because of his father's death. However he made it a point to return to England for the World Cup. His hundred against Kenya is still talked about as one of the great knocks of all time simply because of all the pressures (most of them non-cricketing) he was under.


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