The Master's Jewels: The 10 best Test innings by Sachin Tendulkar
So what are the ten best Test innings by Sachin?
Exactly 200 Test matches and 15,000 career runs later, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is ready to leave the game, letting the burden of responsibility he held for so long go on to much younger shoulders.
Here’s the list:
10. 114 vs Australia at Perth, 1992
Into the fifth Test match of his fledgling international career, Sachin thoroughly dominated the fearsome Aussie pace battery of Merv Hughes, Craig McDermott, Paul Reiffel and Mike Whitney on the bouncy WACA track.
For a skinny 18-year old brought up on slow pitches back home in India, this was a captivating innings. Consisting mostly of swaure cuts, the batsman’s knock also featured a few of his soon-to-be signature cover drives as he dealt with the bowling in the manner of an accomplished veteran.
His display was so authoritative that it prompted the burly Hughes to remark to his captain Allan Border: “This little prick’s going to get more runs than you, AB” – a statement that would come true years later.
Unfortunately for his heroics, India ended up losing the game thanks to magnificent performances from Tom Moody, Dean Jones and David Boon, with Whitney destroying the opposition line up with a seven wicket haul. Nevertheless, Sachin’s innings made the world sit up and take notice of the prodigy who would go on to become one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game.
Sachin Tendulkar overcomes the challenges of a fast WACA pitch
9. 119* vs England, Old Trafford, 1990
This game saw six centuries being scored between both sides, but only one stood out for its sheer outstanding quality and the fact that it was the first ever century for a young 17-year old prodigy in international cricket.
It came at a time when India were fighting to save the game while in pursuit of a record second-innings total, and had lost more than half their side to reckless strokes. All hopes now rested on Sachin and all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar, the last recognized pair at the crease, so to speak.
Dropped by England spinner Eddie Hemmings early into his knock, Tendulkar proceeded to play an innings complete with remarkable composure in facing the short pitched stuff from the likes of Malcolm, Fraser and Lewis. For over two and a half hours, he and Prabhakar kept the bowlers at bay.
By the time the game was halted, India were safely out of the woods, and Sachin received plaudits for his calm temperament in the face of hostile seam bowling, especially from Fraser. His unbeaten 119 saved the game for India, but what was even more remarkable was the fact that he was wearing a pair of ultra-light pads given to him by another legend, Sunil Gavaskar – a sign that this youngster was destined to have a glittering career!
Sachin soaking in the applause
8. 104* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 1993
This innings gave India its first ever overseas victory since 1986, and its maiden win on Sri Lankan soil. And it was doubly special because it was the effort put in by two young stars – in the first and second innings respectively – who had made a name for themselves in Mumbai’s cricketing circles a long time ago.
Vinod Kambli’s century in the first innings propelled India to a powerful score, and Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga was the only one to offer some resistance in his side’s total of 254.
In reply, both Sachin and Navjot Sidhu hammered centuries in their second essay at the crease; the former, in particular, was as sublime as ever as he dispatched all the bowlers to all corners of the park with alarming regularity.
He reached his sixth century in Test cricket, after which the declaration was effected, and Prabhakar and Kumble ran through the rival line up without a fuss, earning their side the win.
For Sri Lanka, worse than Sachin’s brutal treatment of their bowling was the fine they had to pay for a slow over-rate.
Sachin drives during the colombo Test