"Sachin Tendulkar played with 200% intensity against Pakistan" - Suresh Raina

Sachin Tendulkar in action against Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup semifinal in Mohali

Sachin Tendulkar‘s intensity doubled in the games against arch-rivals Pakistan, Suresh Raina has revealed.

Sachin has played some memorable knocks against Pakistan, especially in the World Cup, where India have never lost to Pakistan, winning 5 out of 5 games in the tournament so far.

Tendulkar scored a memorable 98 against Pakistan in 2003 World Cup, dismantling the pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram. He also played a scratchy 85-run innings in 2011 in the semi-final, which India won.

Raina, talking about the crucial game in 2011, where he himself scored a crucial 36*, revealed how Tendulkar’s intensity rose behind the scenes in the match.

“Sachin Tendulkar’s intensity reaches 200 per cent against Pakistan. I remember when we were playing our World Cup semi-final against Pakistan in Mohali, we all were tense,” Raina said.

“It was a high-voltage match for us with the Prime Ministers of both sides present. The body language of players on both the sides was aggressive.

“After the toss, Sachin had told every player to remain focused on the job. He said ‘the wicket is good and our record against Pakistan in World Cups is perfect’. He had a meeting with the batsmen and fielders as our fielding unit was very strong. Paaji told us ‘let’s trouble them, they don’t perform when put under pressure’. This showed his intensity,”

Raina also went on to say how Sachin was upset when some team members roamed around for snacks after India were 2 wickets down in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka.

“Sachin was keen to win the World Cup. When we were playing the final (against Sri Lanka), we did not get a good start and players started roaming around for tea and snacks. At that time, paaji told everyone to be seated and watch the match. That shows his involvement.

“When we won the World Cup, the way his family, fans and the whole of Mumbai rejoiced, it was a touching moment for every player. Paaji became so emotional after winning it. It showed how much desperate he was to win the Cup,” he said.