2009
Reaching 30,000
India played only six Tests in the year but Sachin Tendulkar was in great form in virtually every one of them. He made two centuries, three fifties, 49, and another 40-plus in nine innings for a total score of 541 runs that year.
He had a good run in the ODIs too, though he did miss a few matches, including the ODI series in West Indies. By now it was clear that Tendulkar was keen to preserve himself for Test cricket. Yet he figured in 21 of the 31 ODI matches India played, and narrowly missed making 1,000 runs in a calendar year for the eighth time in his career. His 972 runs included three centuries and three fifties, 96 not out, and three scores in the 40s.
Despite the carping critics and a couple of lean seasons – by his standards – Tendulkar showed there was a lot of cricket still left in him.
An ODI Century at Last in Kiwi-Land
‘When you make runs it gives you happiness. I don’t believe in giving it ratings. I would regard this as a very important innings - Sachin Tendulkar after the match
THE SITUATION
After a rather unflattering series in Sri Lanka at the start of the year, where he failed to reach double figures in three games, Tendulkar was in good nick in New Zealand. India won the opening tie at Napier by 53 runs (decided by the D/L method), while the second at Wellington was washed out after India posted 188 in 28.4 overs, including a fine 61 by Tendulkar.
Heading into the third game at Christchurch 1-0 up in the series, India was looking to widen the gap and push the Kiwis onto the backfoot. They went up 2–0 and then won the next to make it 3-0 before losing the last match. After the century at Christchurch, Tendulkar did not play the last two games because of an abdominal strain, but he was back for the Test series that followed.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Until Sachin Tendulkar actually reached his century, quite a few people had missed the fact that he had never reached three-figures in New Zealand. But when he made a big score of 163 not out on a ground that was small and gave ample scope for sixes, that lacuna was filled. Tendulkar had to retire soon after because he had aggravated an injury suffered in the previous match. He was compelled to skip the two subsequent ODIs.
When the Kiwis put India in to bat on a sunny day, the batting track with its tinge of green and the smallish ground promised plenty of runs. Despite the early loss of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, India were 65 for two in the 13th over. When Yuvraj Singh came in to bat, Tendulkar was on 39 but by the end of the 29th over, Yuvraj, at 81, was only four runs behind him. In all, Yuvraj made 87 of 59 balls.
With the ball refusing to come on to the bat, Tendulkar found most of his runs behind square on the leg side. He almost slogged the seamers out of the park, dragging the deliveries from outside the of stump to the leg side. He reached his half-century with seven fours of 59 balls in the 17th over, with a glance to fine leg of a quickish Ian Butler delivery. Yuvraj, at the other end, brought up his fifty of 42 deliveries with seven fours and three sixes.
Though the focus was, as always, on Tendulkar, he allowed an aggressive Yuvraj to take centrestage in the 138-run stand that saw the left -hander make 87.
After Yuvraj left, it was in the company of skipper Dhoni that Tendulkar tapped an Elliott delivery to behind square to notch up his 43rd ODI hundred, which came of 101 balls with 10 hits to the boundary: two of these cleared the boundary. Tendulkar hit the same bowler for six to reach his 150. He finally retired hurt at 163.
With meaningful contributions from M.S. Dhoni and Suresh Raina, India fell just eight short of 400, scoring 392 for four in 50 overs.
The Kiwis, despite Jesse Ryder’s brilliant 105 of 80 balls and Brendon McCullum’s 71 of 68 balls, managed only 334, handing India a 58-run win. Tendulkar was declared Man of the Match.
Did you know…
» This was Sachin Tendulkar’s first ODI century in New Zealand.
» Despite retiring hurt after scoring 163, Sachin Tendulkar came out in the break between the innings to meet a seven-year-old boy named after him by his cricket-obsessed parents.
A Hundred Is a Hundred, No Matter Where
‘I would very much like to dedicate this hundred to tiger conservation - Sachin Tendulkar after the match
THE SITUATION
A three-Test series against New Zealand teed of in Hamilton. India won the Test by ten wickets and went on to draw the remaining two to win the series 1-0. They had earlier registered an emphatic win in the ODI series. Overall, it was a successful tour for the Indians.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Tendulkar’s decision to sit out the last two ODIs paid of as he played a masterly innings of 160 in the first innings of the Test and set the stage for a comprehensive win.
Dhoni won the toss and sent the home team in to bat. It was felt that the wicket had a hint of grass and would offer support to the bowlers early on but would later ease out and assist the batsmen. Dhoni’s decision was spot on. New Zealand were soon reeling at 60 for six, but with the help of Jesse Ryder’s 102 in the company of Daniel Vettori, they reached 279.
By the end of the second day, India had taken charge with 278 for four and Tendulkar was on 70 not out. On day three, he continued from where he had left off Of the 66 runs added in the first hour, he made 47. His straight drives, on-drives and cuts were a delight to watch.
When Chris Martin dismissed Yuvraj, India was on 314 for the loss of four wickets. M.S. Dhoni joined Tendulkar, then on 91. The hundred - No. 42 in Tests - came with a flick from outside of stump, of Trevor Franklyn. It had taken Tendulkar 168 balls with 15 fours and he carried on to reach 150, gliding a ball from Martin to the third-man fence. He finally lost his wicket, caught at slip of an Iain O’Brien delivery for 160, crafted of 260 balls with a staggering 26 fours. India finished with 520 with contributions of 47 from Dhoni and 51 from Zaheer.
New Zealand replied with a total of 279. Harbhajan Singh was the chief wrecker with a six-wicket haul. India knocked of the required 39 runs without losing a wicket to wrap up a fine Test victory.
Tendulkar had a great series. After the century at Hamilton, he made 49 and 64 at Napier and 62 and 9 at Wellington.
Did you know…
» Rahul Dravid equalled Mark Waugh’s record for the maximum number of catches in Test matches when he took Mark Guptill of Zaheer Khan. It was Dravid’s 132nd Test and 181st catch.
» In the same Test, Zaheer Khan took his 200th Test wicket, when Tendulkar held a catch to dismiss Tim McIntosh. There was some doubt about the catch, but Tendulkar said it was clean and he even injured his fingers in the process.
A Winning Century in Testing Conditions
‘This is one of my best innings. I would rate this up considering the conditions and the ground, the humidity - Sachin Tendulkar after the match
THE SITUATION
In the Compaq Cup tri-series involving India, host Sri Lanka and New Zealand, India beat New Zealand but lost to Sri Lanka. The Kiwis lost both matches, making way for India to play in the finals. Coming into the series after missing the tour to West Indies due to a finger injury, Sachin Tendulkar was at his incandescent best in the day-night final. With Harbhajan Singh turning in figures of five for 56, India took the Cup.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
M.S. Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat on a bright, sunny Colombo afternoon. The wicket initially looked ideal for batting but it turned out to be somewhat slow and powdery, making it diffcult for the team chasing. Anything more than 250, it was felt, would be a diffcult target.
Surprisingly, Rahul Dravid came out with Sachin Tendulkar to open. The pair, one of the most experienced in world cricket, started of smoothly and by the time the tenth over ended, the score was a healthy 52 for no loss with Sachin on 33 and Dravid on 19.
Five overs later, with the score at 76 for no loss, Tendulkar was on 46. On the last ball of the 16th over, Lasith Malinga slipped in a slower one full and outside the of stump. Tendulkar backed away and sliced it over covers for a boundary and a well deserved fifty. Dravid (39) left with the score on 95 where he stretched forward to a flighted ball from Jayasuriya.
Dhoni promoted himself up the order and, along with his lead batsman, took the challenge to the enemy camp. On the penultimate ball of the 33rd over, Tendulkar cut Mendis’ carrom ball to sweeper cover to notch up his 44th ODI hundred.
Tendulkar at 36 showed that he had enough stamina and endurance. When the Lankans attempted to bottle him by placing one fielder at short cover and another at short extra cover, he repeatedly picked boundaries by hitting between mid-on and mid-wicket.
Dhoni reached his fifty but was dismissed soon after for a score of 56. Yuvraj Singh and Tendulkar took the score to 236 before Tendulkar was declared leg before to Mendis for 138 (133 balls, ten fours and one six). India reached 319 for five with Yuvraj remaining unbeaten on 56.
In reply, the Lankans started with an opening partnership of 64 but none of their batsmen could make meaningful scores. With Thilan Kadamby for company, Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara fought valiantly till he was dismissed in a freakish manner. He lost hold of his bat while playing a stroke, and it came down on the wicket: he was out ‘hit wicket’. Sri Lanka folded up for 273 and lost by 46 runs. Tendulkar was declared Man of the Match.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar’s fourth century at the R. Premadasa Stadium was also his sixth in a tournament final and it earned him his 59th Man of the Match award.
» This was only India’s fourth win in 21 attempts in an ODI final since 2000. It was also their first trophy in Sri Lanka since 1998.
A Massive Century and a Close Finish
‘It is sad that we lost this game after such a special innings from Sachin. I have always been a big fan of his “Desert Storm”. We all wanted to score the winning run after such a brilliant effort from Sachin, who single-handedly brought us back into the game - M.S. Dhoni after the match
THE SITUATION
The fifth match of the ODI Series against Australia had all of India watching. The Australians had won the opening game at Vadodara. The Indians pulled back with successive wins at Nagpur and Delhi. A victory at Mohali for the Aussies sent the two teams into the fifth ODI all-square. Sachin Tendulkar was once again at his best against Australia as he played one of his finest one-day knocks. Alas, it was in vain as India fell short by three runs. Australia won the sixth match too, and with it the series (4-2) as the seventh match at Mumbai was called of due to heavy rain.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat on a dry surface. The Aussies had a brilliant start with Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh putting on 145 runs for the first wicket. Watson reached fifty of 40 balls and his 93 came of 88. Marsh reached his fifty of 62 deliveries and went on to score a well-deserved hundred of 104 balls with eight fours and a six. Australia finished with 350 for four.
The explosive opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar had put on 66 runs for the opening wicket when Ben Hilfenhaus had the Nawab of Najafgarh top-edge a short ball to short fine leg. Tendulkar, then on 24, continued in the company of Gautam Gambhir, but the latter fell to Clint McKay in the 13th over. Yuvraj Singh joined Tendulkar and it was in his company that the Little Master reached his fifty with a dab down to third man of Watson. The fifty had come of only 47 deliveries, with seven imperious hits to the fence.
Even as Watson snared Yuvraj for nine in the 19th over and Dhoni fell to McKay for six, four overs later, Tendulkar kept going. Accompanied by the exuberant Suresh Raina, Tendulkar marched to his 45th ODI hundred with another dab to third man of a Watson delivery. The hundred came of 81 balls, the second fifty taking just 34 balls. The century contained ten fours and three sixes.
In the 40th over, Tendulkar launched into Michael Hussey, moving outside leg stump to a shortish delivery and sending it crashing into the extra cover fence. He scored 150 of 122 balls, the third fifty coming of 41 balls. By now he had hit 16 fours and four sixes. And there was the possibility of the first-ever double hundred in one-day cricket.
Raina brought up his fifty in style with a six of McKay and then fell to Watson for 59. Harbhajan followed suit. At the end of the 47th over, the score was 332 for six with Tendulkar and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. India required 19 of 18 deliveries to win. Tendulkar, tiring by now, scooped an attempted paddle-sweep to short fine leg of Mckay. His 175 runs had come of only 141 balls with 19 fours and four sixes. Jadeja was run out three balls later for 23. India lost Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar in quick succession and India fell three runs short.
McKay was declared Man of the Match on debut.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar scored both his highest and second highest ODI scores at Hyderabad. His highest score of 186 not out had come against New Zealand in November 1999. Ten years later, he made 175 at the same venue against Australia.
» This was Sachin Tendulkar’s ninth ODI century against Australia.
» It was Sachin Tendulkar’s fourth ODI score of 150 or more and 11th of 140 or more.
Marathon Man of Cricket Gets to 30,000 Runs in International Cricket
‘His greatness lies in his ability to spot the length of a delivery quicker than most, so he should play accordingly. If it means playing attacking shots, he must’ - Arjuna Ranatunga in the Times of India, 14 September 2004
THE SITUATION
It was the first of three Tests against Sri Lanka. Thus far, India had played just three Tests - against New Zealand in New Zealand - in the first quarter of the year. Tendulkar had 444 runs in those three Tests. And now, in the first Test against Sri Lanka, he saved the hosts from a possible loss, batting out the final day for a gritty 100 not out. India won the next two Tests, each by an innings, to wrap up the series 2-0 as Tendulkar scored 40 and 53. In the second Test at Kanpur, the top three batsmen (Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid) scored centuries and in the third at Mumbai (Brabourne Stadium), Sehwag scored 293 and M.S. Dhoni 100 not out.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
It has happened often that a century from Sachin Tendulkar’s bat has helped India win a match, but many more times, it may have saved India from defeat. The 100 not out on the final day of the Ahmedabad Test also came when India was facing the ignominy of a loss at home.
M. S. Dhoni won the toss on a typically flat Motera batting track and chose to bat. But the Sri Lankan pacemen had India struggling as Chamara Welegedara sent back Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar with just 31 on the board. One run later, Dhammika Prasad clean bowled V.V.S. Laxman to leave India reeling at 32 for four.
Rahul Dravid’s mammoth 177 and Dhoni’s 110 after Yuvraj Singh’s 68 helped India to a total of 426.
The Sri Lankan reply was very strong with Dilshan Tillakaratne (112) setting the stage for a huge total. A majestic 275 from Mahela Jayawardene was followed by Prasanna Jayawardene’s 154 not out and Sri Lanka declared at 760 for seven, leaving India staring down the barrel, 334 runs in arrears.
The wicket was still a batsman’s dream but India were forced to play out and save the match. They made a strong start with Gambhir and Sehwag putting on 81 runs for the opening wicket before spinner Rangana Herath removed Sehwag for 51. Gambhir, in the company of Dravid, reached his half-century, but the latter fell for 38, leg before to Welegedara at 169. Nightwatchman Amit Mishra gave Gambhir support then and the fourth day ended with India on 190 for two, still 144 behind. Mishra left on the fifth morning at 209 and that’s when Tendulkar walked in.
Gambhir went on to reach his seventh Test century, but fell at 114. By then, Tendulkar had settled in. In the company of V.V.S. Laxman, he kept the Sri Lankan attack at bay, continuing to score runs at every opportunity. He clipped a Herath delivery to the fine-leg boundary to bring up his fifty with six fours, of 127 balls. By the time Laxman late-cut Mathews to bring up his fifty, Sachin was batting on 84 and the total read 393 for four. India were safe and the match went on, only to have Tendulkar achieve a well-deserved century.
Tendulkar tapped a Welegedera delivery to mid-on to bring up his 43rd Test hundred and soon after, curtains were drawn on the match, which saw just 21 wickets fall but produced seven centuries. Mahela Jayawardene was declared Man of the Match for his monumental first-innings effort.
Did you know…
» Five days after completing 20 years of playing for India, Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to get 30,000 runs in international cricket.
» Playing his 160th Test, Sachin Tendulkar needed 39 to reach 30,000 international runs. He made four in the first innings and 100 in the second. At the end of the game, he had 12,877 runs in 160 Tests, 17,178 runs in 436 ODIs and 10 runs from his only T20 appearance against South Africa.
PARALLEL LIVES
Viswanathan Anand: The year 2009 was somewhat lean for Anand. Champion at Linares in 2007 and 2008, he ended fourth in the tournament this year and though he did tie first in the Rapid section of the Amber chess tournament, the overall honours eluded him. He also failed to win the Grenke Leasing Rapid Chess World Championship at Mainz for the first time since 1999. He did manage a title at Bastia, where he defeated Anatoly Karpov 3.5-0.5 in the Rapid match in October-November. He played little in the year, clearly preparing for 2010 when he would defend the world title, which he had won in 2008.
Leander Paes: Leander Paes had a fine year with two Grand Slam titles in the men’s doubles, winning at the French Open and the US Open, partnering Lukas Dlouhy. In mixed doubles, he reached the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, but both times lost the title clash. Outside of the Grand Slams, he did not have a great year, reaching the semi-finals of the men’s doubles only at Monte Carlo. But he continued to keep his doubles ranking in the top-10. In the only Davis Cup tie he played, he partnered Mahesh Bhupathi to win the doubles against Chinese Taipei, who India beat 3-2 in Kaoshiung, Chinese Taipei.
THIS ALSO HAPPENED IN 2009
In the first week of the year, the Indian government announced a stimulus package, hoping to reverse the economic slowdown. Indian cricket fans were also gladdened by the induction of Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Bishan Bedi into the ICCs inaugural Hall of Fame.
As India celebrated its Republic Day, news filtered in that the Icelandic banking system had collapsed, signifying another economic crisis.
In February, Australia suffered one of the worst ever bushfires in known history, killing about 173 people, injuring more than 500 and leaving 7,500 homeless. On 8 February, the Taliban released the video of Polish geologist Piotr Stanczak being beheaded. It was the first killing of a Western hostage since the beheading of Daniel Pearl in the same month in 2002.
On 23 February, India approved and announced a £1.7 billion plan to launch its first astronauts into space by 2015.
On 3 March, in an attack reminiscent of the Munich killings, gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore. Though the players escaped with their lives, eight people were killed in what was a black day for world cricket.
On 19 May, Manmohan Singh was re-elected as the prime minister of India, and two weeks later, on 3 June, the Indian Parliament elected Meira Kumar as the first woman Speaker of the House.
In June, Air France flight AF 447 crashed into the Atlantic on its way from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, killing all 228 aboard. Before the month was out, another plane, this time a Yemenia aircraft, Flight 626, crashed near Moroni, Comoros Islands, killing all 153 on board.
On 25 June, pop icon Michael Jackson died, leading to a worldwide expression of grief.
On 20 July, it was announced that Ajmal Kasab, the only surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, had pleaded guilty after many denials. Two weeks later, a court sentenced three people to death for the Mumbai attacks.
Y.S. Rajasekara Reddy, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, died in a helicopter crash on 2 September 2009, plunging his state into turmoil.
On 2 October, the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2016 Games to Rio de Janeiro. And as the year neared its end, Dubai requested a deferment of its massive debt following the big boom-and-bust of real estate, leading to a crisis in the international stock market.