When Little Master’s Storm Blew Away Aussies In The Desert Of Sharjah

From The Vault: Article 1

Imagine being born in this beautiful country and hearing about the tales of Indian cricket from the past. Apparently, among those all, one tale always stood out for me, the nostalgic Desert Storm innings of Sharjah, 1998 by little master 'Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar'. The batting heroics at such a young age was something above the class, especially when the ground was hit by a sandstorm making the game shorter.

The story started in the cusp of Coca-Cola cup in 1998, where Australia as always in early 2000s,  dominated the round of robin stages of the tournament beating both NZ and India preceding to the finals. In group stages, India was able to beat NZ in the first match of the tournament [S Ganguly 105 (140) and Ajit Agarkar (4/35) defending 220]. Though, NZ came back in the tournament by beating India in their next fixture [Chris Cairns (3/26 and Craig McMillan 59 (122) chasing 181).

After 5 matches, Australia (won 3 games) was sitting at the top qualified for the finals with 6 points. On the other hand, their opponent India (won 1 game) had only 2 points under their belt after 3 matches. It was the last match of Round of Robin stage, wherein Aussies won the toss and batting first scored a mammoth 285 [Michael Bevan 101 (103)] in their allotted 50 overs. The card was set for India wherein either they had to win or had to go pass 254 (50 overs) at least to overhaul NZs net run rate and qualify for the finals. However, after 25 minutes of play, the stadium was hit by a devastating sandstorm and the game was reduced to 46 overs where the team required 276 to win or 237 to qualify.

Chasing 276, India were not off to the amazing start as the Indian opener S Ganguly 17 (32) got out in the ninth over of the innings. However, playing steadily Sachin with the support of N Mongia got the total to 107 in 22^nd over of the innings, but in the same over Mongia 35 (46) got dismissed to Tom Moody.  Both, the skipper M Azharuddin 14 (20) and A Jadeja 1 (5) soon followed cheaply at the score of 138 for 4 after 29 overs. Later, Sachin was joined by VVS Laxman 23 (34), wherein together they put-on a huge 105 run partnership for the 5^th wicket.

The highlight of that partnership was Sachin wherein he single-handedly smashed the likes of M Kasprowicz, Shane Warne and Damien Fleming, all-round the park. Sachin’s final score read, a brilliant 143 of 131 balls which forever etched in the memory of each and every India cricketer and fan. Even though India lost the match (due to the lack-luster lower order), the sheer dominance of the innings allowed India to enter the finals wherein Sachin took his single-handed revenge.  Sachin continued his on-slot and scored yet another hundred 134 (131) in the final chasing 272 but this time in the winning cause.

The game had its irony, where the Aussies might have thought the desert storm hit the stadium, but lesser they knew that the Sachin’s storm was the one that hit much harder. The emotion of Sachin’s heroics was showcased greatly by the Australian legendary leggie, Shane Warne, he claimed to get nightmares after the tournament at the thoughts of bowling to Sachin. This was one of those tournaments wherein you can easily say that it was ‘One vs All’. Sachin, single-handedly snatched the trophy from the hands of the Aussies and portrayed his character as the greatest players in the history of the game.

Image source- Quora.com   

Share your opinions.

Is Sachin’s desert-storm innings, your nostalgic cricketing moments in the history of the Indian cricket?