Auckland 1994. Navjot Singh Siddhu picks a neck strain that does not let him play the match and thus a vacancy opens up in the opening position. Who fills this slot? Sachin Tendulkar. From his debut, Sachin had been always playing in the middle order, just like test matches. This was not giving him the time and space to play the big innings that he was capable of. Siddhu and Ajay Jadeja was preferred to open the batting while Manoj Prabhakar used to don the mantle during emergencies. It never stuck that Sachin could play this role till 27th March 1994.
The Indian bowlers had done a magnificent job to restrict the target to 142 when Sachin decided it was time to show his opening skills. In hindsight, it looks like Tendulkar was desperate to make this innings count. Witness his strike-rate in this innings (167.34) and boundaries (15 boundaries and two sixes) scored in this innings. Even though the grounds are relatively smaller in New Zealand, the innings was one to behold. When he fell for 82, the team total was 117 (in the 15th over) - such was his domination at the crease. Gavin Larsen and Chris Harris were known for their art in restrictive bowling - this day, they had no answer to the genius of Tendulkar. Boundaries were scored in all parts of the ground and the Kiwi bowlers were running for cover.
After this knock, there was no looking back for Sachin Tendulkar. ODI's were his personal backyard to showcase his repertoire of strokes and centuries.
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| Thanks to Hindu website for this image |
After this knock, there was no looking back for Sachin Tendulkar. ODI's were his personal backyard to showcase his repertoire of strokes and centuries.
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