0, 1, 37, 0 and 44 were the scores of Sachin Tendulkar in the past five innings before he arrived at Sydney. His all five dismissals were almost similar-Leg before wicket, Edged one to the keeper while playing a cover drive, leg before wicket, caught on the leg side and once again edged one while playing the cover drive- Sachin managed only 82 from the five innings.
Sachin felt the pressure as he entered the final Test. He had to do something different to survive. Sachin’s ego made him restless and he wanted to conquer the bowlers as he always does.
He came out to bat at 128/2 after India lost Akash Chopra quickly after losing Sehwag. Finally getting out both the well-set openers and considering Sachin’s weakness against the outside off stump, Australia would have thought they were back into the game. The deliberately went on to bowl deliveries outside off stump to Sachin. Those tireless practices in his childhood where he used to pierce the gap even when there were a lot of fielders around him, helped Sachin to play almost all his shots on the leg-side.
He waited and waited till the bowler made mistake and left the ball if it was outside off stump. The patience, skill and determination allowed Sachin to play the ball along the ground.
Guess the noodles and chicken he had with his family for the dinner before the Test did the trick for him or at least Sachin would have thought that way.
The next day, the day of the Test saw Sachin’s flawless display of 73, just nine runs short of what he scored in the last five innings, Sachin came back to order the same. He had the same dish the next night as well, but this time he was unbeaten, unmoved. Sachin’s determination was unbreakable till he went on to make 241. For 436 balls, 613 minutes which is literally Ten hours, There wasn’t a six; just 33 fours, most of them along the ground and he played not even a single cover drive. Sachin remained not-out in the second innings as well where he scored 60.
This innings stands out as an example of how greats are made and not born. As an example of how to stay calm during the testing times and not get carried away. As an example of how Sachin conquered his challenges and why he is one of the best Test cricketers if not the best in the world.
(Image Courtesy: Ringside view. The wagon wheel shows there wasn’t even a single boundary through cover-drive.)
