Cricket Classics - Part XXii : Desert Storm – Sachin Tendulkar’s 143 vs Australia (1998)
Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,
Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress or leave us with unforgettable moments.
So, through this series, I will present some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week. I am with another iconic match.
What to say about the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar? The level of standards he brought to Cricket, no wonder to consider him as the greatest batsman to ever play in Cricket. This particular performance of his against mighty Australians in 1998 proved that status, and he later received the nickname "Desert Storm". It was one of the most iconic ODI innings in history
As I always said, playing against Australia in that era was a nightmare for the other teams, and scoring two ODI centuries in 3 days, well, you think of that.
In 1998, a tri-nation ODI tournament was held in Sharjah with India, Australia, and New Zealand known as The Coca-Cola Cup. In the Group stage, each team is playing the others twice, and the top two teams advance to the finals. Well, Australia easily qualified, winning all. The 6th/ final match decided the other. Well, India had to either win or ensure a high enough Net Run Rate against the Aussies.
Steve Waugh captained the team with some legendary names: Shane Warne, Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan, Damien Fleming, Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, etc. The Indian team was led by Mohammad Azharuddin with Sourav Ganguly, Sachin, VVS Laxman, Kumble, etc. The team was heavily dependent on young Tendulkar.
The date was April 22, 1998, in Sharjah, UAE. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Well, in a tough pitch, Australian opener Mark Waugh scored 81 runs. Anyway, it was a solid effort from Michael Bevan in the middle. He scored 101 runs to set a respectable and comfortable target of 284/7 in 50 overs.
Ganguly and Sachin were at the middle opening the innings in 41 degrees Celsius. They had a good going where Sachin held the fort from one end, and others helped him to carry it. Anyway, when the score was 143/3 in the 25th over, a desert storm with Sand and wind paused the play for 25 minutes. Then they received a revised target of 277 in 46, or cross 237 runs to qualify.
After that, the set batsman Sachin took the charge against Warne, Fleming, etc. It became his homeground as he scored runs freely and quickly, when the others couldn't accelerate. He scored 143 runs off 131 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes.
When he got out in the 43rd over, India managed to cross the mark to qualify for the finals. Eventhough India lost it by 26 runs, eventually his innings helped India to go through, and once again 2 days later against the same squad he scored 134 runs to become the champions as well.
That day, 25-year old Sachin pulled off not just single-handedly won the match, but sealed his legacy to become the best batsman.
See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.
src - espncricinfo
Thank you.
Best Regards!
Upvoted! Thank you for supporting witness @jswit.