Master Blaster Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar celebrates his 46th birthday with the nation today as it’s not only his birthday but a celebration. As aptly put by Mathew Hayden, “I have seen god. He bats at number 4 for India,” Sachin has rightfully earned his name as the ‘God of Cricket’ with a career spanning almost 3 decades. Born in Dadar in Mumbai, the 1973 born youngster only wanted to play for the Indian team, but who knew that the whole world would be mesmerised and hang on the edges of their seat whenever he came to the pitch?
It is seemingly unnecessary to talk about his successes, runs, centuries, etc as these are like prayers to the millenials who have memorised them thoroughly. Let us rather look at the top strokes played by the god in his career.
India vs Australia, Sharjah 1998
The first mention should go to the ‘The Desert Storm’. Regarded as the greatest ever ODI innings, Sachin’s 143-run innings at Sharjah against Australia in 1998 against the the likes of Shane Warne, Damien Fleming.
India vs Australia, Sydney, 4th Test
He was criticized for playing expansive cover drives in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2003-4. Then came the 4th Test where he played cover drives only after reaching his double hundred.
India vs Pakistan World Cup 2003
His 98-run innings against Pakistan greats like Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Younis was etched with golden letters in the pages of cricket history. He was supported by Sehwag, Dravid and Yuvraj who made sure of India’s comfortable win.
India vs South Africa, 2nd Test, 1996/97
Indian batsmen could not stand against the fierce pace of Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock but Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammed Azaharuddin stood their ground. Sachin was out there for 329 minutes while scoring 169 off 254 balls.
India vs South Africa, Gwalior 2010
The day when the god showed the world that it is possible to score 200 in ODIs for the first time. This helped India notch 401 and securely win the match by 153 runs.
Ravi Shastri had perfectly summed it up while commentating: “First man on the planet to reach 200 … And it’s the superman from India … Take a bow Master…”
What memory do you have of one of the greatest athlete India has produced?
