Desert Storm is very well known in cricketing circles, synonymous with Sachin Tendulkar and his twin centuries against Australia. India had qualified for the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup by a better run-rate despite losing the previous match against the same opponents. Sachin Tendulkar had scored a valiant century but could not take India past the required target (though he ensured that the target to qualify for final was achieved).
It was revenge-time in the final on his birthday then. India bowled first again with an attack consisting of Venkatesh Prasad and Ajit Agarkar. Anil Kumble was back but did not have much backup (Kanitkar and Rahul Sanghvi were his fellow spinners). Though the Indian bowlers started well, the Australians recovered through consecutive partnerships to post a challenging target of 273.
India had a similar target in the previous match and fallen short by 26 runs. Here, Tendulkar had his plan cut out. In the company of Nayan Mongia and Azharuddin, Sachin ensured that the Australian bowling was blown away. The Australian team had no answers to Sachin's batting - whatever was thrown at him, was thrashed to all corners of the ground. 134 vintage runs off 131 balls, studded with 12 fours and three sixes. Steve Waugh, captain of Australia, remarked apparently that he had no shame being beaten by such a player.
It was revenge-time in the final on his birthday then. India bowled first again with an attack consisting of Venkatesh Prasad and Ajit Agarkar. Anil Kumble was back but did not have much backup (Kanitkar and Rahul Sanghvi were his fellow spinners). Though the Indian bowlers started well, the Australians recovered through consecutive partnerships to post a challenging target of 273.
India had a similar target in the previous match and fallen short by 26 runs. Here, Tendulkar had his plan cut out. In the company of Nayan Mongia and Azharuddin, Sachin ensured that the Australian bowling was blown away. The Australian team had no answers to Sachin's batting - whatever was thrown at him, was thrashed to all corners of the ground. 134 vintage runs off 131 balls, studded with 12 fours and three sixes. Steve Waugh, captain of Australia, remarked apparently that he had no shame being beaten by such a player.
Sachin was in imperious form bagging the Man of Match as well as Man of Series for his twin knocks. He also bagged other prizes in the tournament - fastest fifty (in 44 balls) as well as maximum number of sixes (nine in all). The Aussies, especially Shane Warne, would remember this match for a long time - this would be a harsh teaser for the team in the forthcoming days. Tendulkar would haunt them along with another player who was making his mark in international cricket in this match (VVS Laxman)
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