Top five Sachin Tendulkar specials at Wankhede

Sachin Tendulkar

Today, for one final time, Sachin Tendulkar will grace the Wankhede stadium, the ground where he has played numerous memorable innings against the toughest of oppositions and mesmerized one and all like no other. This is the very same ground where he began as a young prodigy making his mark and stupefying great players with a display of his unmatched talent. In this very ground, he turned out for numerous Ranji matches for Mumbai and led the Mumbai Indians to glory. Thus, it will be an emotional moment, not only for the man himself but for his teammates and for his home crowd and fans all around the world. The fact that he gets to play it in his home stadium is a small but fitting send off to a great man who has served the nation tirelessly for 24 long years without a flinch. Here I set out to refresh memories by listing out the 5 best innings he has played at his home ground.

5) 55 vs. Australia in 2004: This innings must be mentioned for the impact it managed to create in the situation of the game. India was bowled out for 104 in the first innings. Australia scored 203 and thus took a 99-run lead in the first innings. In the second innings, India lost openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag early with just 14 runs on the board. In came Tendulkar and launched a counterattack along with VVS Laxman to add 91 runs. Tendulkar’s 55-run knock included six boundaries and a huge six. In what turned out to be an edge of the seat thriller, India got a lead of 106 and bowled out the visitors for 93 to steal a narrow victory by 13 runs.