1998
An Australia Special
This was the year of Tendulkar, the best so far in his already glittering career. The captaincy had been shed and it had gone back to Mohammad Azharuddin. Suddenly the master seemed to have been freed and he had what would be his best-ever year in terms of centuries.
Over the years, the ‘Tendulkar v Warne show’ had enthralled cricket fans around the world. This year alone saw three such battles between them. First the Test series, then the Pepsi Triangular one-day series in India and finally the Coca-Cola Cup at Sharjah. Each time Tendulkar was the winner, though in the Pepsi tri-series, Australia won the final – without Warne’s help.
Just as Sunil Gavaskar had mauled the West Indies in his heyday, Tendulkar was particularly severe on Australia. He made 446 runs in three Tests against them and had 621 runs in seven ODIs. He made two Test centuries and four in ODIs.
Even in the warm-up match for the tour between Australia and Mumbai, Tendulkar hit a double century and Shane Warne gave away 111 runs in just 16 overs. It was Tendulkar’s first double hundred in his first-class career,
In 1998, in just five Tests, Sachin Tendulkar made three centuries: two against Australia and one against New Zealand. The five Tests saw 647 runs being made at an average of 80.87 and things were just as good in the ODIs. India won the three-Test series at home 2–1 and Tendulkar was Man of the Series with 446 runs with an average of over 111, including two scores above 150. India lost the one-of Test against Zimbabwe and the Test series in New Zealand 0–1.
A total of 34 ODIs produced 1,894 runs with no less than nine centuries at an average of 65.31. Of these, 621, including four centuries, came against Australia in a mere seven games, of which Warne played six.
The year, in fact, began well for India, who had been unable to make an impression in their own Independence Cup the previous year. They won the Independence Cup in Bangladesh with a 2–1 margin, beating Pakistan in the final after winning both league games. What’s more, Tendulkar was adjudged Man of the Series for his consistent performance, which included three fifties in the first three matches.
India lost the Pepsi Triangular Series final to Australia at home but with Tendulkar firing on all cylinders, won the Coca-Cola Cup at Sharjah. Tendulkar dominated the series with 435 runs in five games, including two centuries. His average was 80-plus and strike rate 100-plus. The next best was 276 by Michael Bevan. Tendulkar’s twin centuries in a span of three days against Australia left them bruised and bewildered.
India’s success in the year continued with Tendulkar scoring an unbeaten hundred and taking the Man of the Match award in the final of the tri-series featuring Bangladesh and Kenya. Runs, trophies and awards kept coming as India also won the Singer-Akai Nidhas Trophy in Sri Lanka. The Man of the Match in the final was Tendulkar with 128 runs.
He made a century each in the ODI series in Zimbabwe and the Wills International Cup – where Australia came in for more punishment – though India failed to land the trophies.
Tendulkar also played at the Commonwealth Games, but India failed to land a medal. He then flew all the way to Toronto to play in the last of the five-match series against Pakistan, though the series was already lost.
Tendulkar Hammers Warne and Australia into Submission
‘When Warne made his move round the wicket, Tendulkar took to his offerings like a kid offered a lolly-shop gift voucher. A brace of sixes and fours from lofted sweep/pull shots to the mid-wicket region convinced Warne to abort this tactic. Tendulkar s preparatory work had proved to be a masterstroke’ - Ian Chappell, espncricinfo.com, 15 November 2009
THE SITUATION
With Sachin Tendulkar wanting to be relieved of captaincy, the selectors looked towards Mohammad Azharuddin once again. As the calendar turned to 1998, India went to Bangladesh for their Silver Jubilee Independence Cup. Tendulkar made 258 in five matches, including a quickfire 26-ball 41 as India won the final against Pakistan; Ganguly scored 124 to win the Man of the Match award. While Azharuddin and Ganguly had a century each, Tendulkar missed one in the series, scoring 95 against Pakistan in the league game.
Then came the Test series against Australia at home.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
The first Test series after Tendulkar gave up the captaincy was against Australia for the Gavaskar-Border Trophy.
In the first match at Chennai, India won the toss and elected to bat. Fifties from the top three - Nayan Mongia, Navjot Sidhu and Rahul Dravid – saw India make a modest 257, to which Australia replied with 328. On the third day, India, facing a deficit of 71, were well placed at 100 for one. On the fourth day, Dravid got yet another fifty. Then came Tendulkar’s masterpiece.
In the first innings Tendulkar had been tricked by a dipper from Warne after scoring just four runs. In the second there were no such lapses. He went on to score 155 not out of 191 balls in 286 minutes, with 14 fours and four sixes. Tendulkar and Azharuddin (64) hit the Australians for 127 runs; it was one of the many entertaining partnerships the duo shared.
It was Tendulkar’s third century and his highest score against Australia. Bearing the brunt of it was Warne, as Tendulkar tore into him, displaying some brilliant stroke play. India declared at 418 for four to set Australia a target of 348. Before the fourth day was over, Australia had lost Michael Slater, Greg Blewett and Mark Taylor for 31.
On the following day, Indian spinners Anil Kumble (4–46) and Venkatapathy Raju (3–31) wrapped up the match after lunch with Australia bowled out for 168, though there were murmurs over decisions about bat-pad catches close to the wicket on a turning track. India won by 179 runs and Tendulkar was Man of the Match.
Warne had four for 85 in the first innings but was reduced to one for 122 in the second as Tendulkar went after the bowling.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar’s 155 not out was his third and highest Test century in seven Tests against Australia.
India Beat Australia at Home
‘Don’t bowl him bad balls, he hits the good ones for fours’ - Michael Kasprowicz, ndtv.com
THE SITUATION
Tendulkar was riding high and India was riding on his form. The win at Chennai was followed by an innings win at Kolkata, where Tendulkar scored a vital 79. A brilliant 163 not out by Azharuddin alongside V.V.S. Laxman (95), Navjot Sidhu (97), Rahul Dravid (86) and Sourav Ganguly (65) helped India pile up a huge 633 for five declared. This was after Australia had been dismissed in the first innings for 233. In the second they managed only 181, leaving India winners by 219 runs with a 2-0 lead.
By the time the third Test ended, Tendulkar had made 446 runs at 111.5, including two centuries and one fifty in five innings. He was more than 100 runs ahead of the second highest scorer, Navjot Sidhu (341).
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Mohammad Azharuddin was lucky with the coin once again and elected to bat. The Indians, already 2-0 up in the series, went on the of ensive with Navjot Sidhu (74 of 132 balls with eight fours and three sixes) leading the way.
When Sachin Tendulkar came in, the Australians, as had become a habit for them in this series, looked helpless as he plundered the bowling at will. He added 139 with an indisposed Azharuddin, who made 40. Tendulkar, batting at 117 at the end of the first day, then scored 60 of 64 balls on the second morning before being bowled by debutant Adam Dale while trying to hit over mid-wicket.
Tendulkar was severe on virtually every bowler in the depleted Australian attack. But Michal Kasprowicz and Shane Warne managed to limit the damage to some extent.
India made 424, but Australia replied with 400, including 153 not out by Mark Waugh.
Strangely, after having batted well in the series so far, India crumbled to Michael Kasprowicz (five for 28) and were dismissed for 169 in the second innings, leaving Australia to get 194 for a consolation win. They did that in 210 minutes as Mark Taylor scored 102 not out. Australia lost just two wickets and won with more than a day to spare. The series ended 2-1 for India, and Tendulkar with two centuries was the Man of the Series.
In the Bangalore Test, Tendulkar scored 177 and 31 and did not concede his wicket to Warne who had figures of three for 106 of 35 overs and two for 80 of 25 overs.
Did you know…
» Harbhajan Singh, 17, made his Test debut in this match. He took two wickets in the first and none in the second innings. Darren Lehmann, replacing Steve Waugh, also made his debut for Australia in this match.
» Mohammad Azharuddin took his 100th catch in his 91st Test. He caught Slater in the second innings for the landmark.
» Though he was mauled through the series, Shane Warne became Test cricket’s highest wicket-taker, going past Lance Gibbs record of 309 wickets, when he dismissed Rahul Dravid in the first innings.
Tendulkar’s Decimation of Australia Continues
‘Sachin Tendulkar is, in my time, the best player without doubt - daylight second, Brian Lara third’ - Shane Warne in the Hindu, 4 October 2004
THE SITUATION
Sachin Tendulkar was batting with less pressure on him. With Navjot Sidhu, Sourav Ganguly, Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja also scoring well, he batted freely.
Earlier in the year, India had won the Golden Jubilee Independence Cup in Bangladesh, and then the Test series against Australia at home. So when the hosts won the first two matches against Australia and Zimbabwe without any significant contributions from Tendulkar, expectations ran high that they would win the Pepsi Triangular too. Especially if Tendulkar came good.
India started well and won four of their five matches. They beat Australia in the league game with Tendulkar getting yet another hundred. But they lost the final.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
In the third match at Kanpur against Australia, the visitors, already low on morale, made 222 in 50 overs.
Tendulkar opened with Sourav Ganguly and the partnership put on 175 in just 28.1 overs with the Little Master making 100 of 89 balls. He was severe on all the bowlers and smashed seven sixes and five fours in one of his most destructive innings.
By the time Tendulkar left, caught of the bowling of Warne, India were less than 50 runs away from the win, with more than 20 overs in hand. They lost Azharuddin and Ganguly soon after, but coasted to a comfortable win by six wickets with more than five overs to spare.
Australia had won the final match of the Test series and they did this again in the triangular, as they beat India in the final. Apart from the century at Kanpur, Tendulkar’s four other scores were under 15.
Did you know…
» The 175 put on by Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly was a record for the opening wicket by India against Australia.
Australia Despair as Tendulkar Mauls Them Yet Again
‘If I had to bowl to Sachin I would bowl with a helmet on. He hits the ball so hard’ - Dennis Lillee, ndtv.com
THE SITUATION
In the three-nation tournament, Australia had won their first three matches convincingly, beating India once and New Zealand twice. India, meanwhile, had won their first match against New Zealand but lost the second to the Kiwis and then lost once to Australia. So Australia were already into the final and India needed to either beat Australia or have a better run rate than the Kiwis to make the grade.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Australia won the toss and elected to bat. They made 284 on the strength of Mark Waughs 81 and Michael Bevan’s unbeaten 101. When the regular bowlers found the going tough, Azharuddin tried several change bowlers, including V.V.S. Laxman and Hrishikesh Kanitkar. But it was Tendulkar who got rid of Mark Waugh and then ran Steve Waugh (10) out.
India, chasing 285, needed either to win or score 254 to qualify on better run rate, ahead of the Kiwis. A dust storm hit Sharjah and with four overs lopped of, the targets were revised again and now India needed 276 to win and 237 to qualify.
Gauging the situation, Tendulkar went into overdrive. First he shored up the innings. When Ajay Jadeja left midway, India were 138 for four in 29 overs. With Laxman, Tendulkar put on 104 runs for the fifth wicket at just under 7.5 runs an over. Their partnership lasted 14 overs and by then India were sure of making it to the final.
Tendulkar’s 143 came of 131 balls and he smashed nine fours and five sixes at a strike rate of over 109 to become Man of the Match.
India made 250 and lost by 26 runs, but made the finals on better run rate. In the final, Tendulkar would script yet another masterpiece.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar’s 143 was his highest ODI score and the third best for an Indian.
» Harbhajan Singh made his ODI debut in the first match of the tournament on 17 April against New Zealand.
» This was the first tournament in 10 years at Sharjah that did not feature Pakistan.
No Respite from Tendulkar for Australia
‘It was one of the greatest innings I have ever seen. There is no shame being beaten by such a great player. Sachin is perhaps only next to the Don - Steve Waugh after the match
THE SITUATION
At Sharjah, Australia won all their league games and India made the final too, albeit on run rate, over New Zealand. Sachin Tendulkar first guided the Indian team to the final by scoring a very quick century in the last league match and then he guided them to a superb title win in the final to avenge the defeat in the tri-series at home.
Over the years Sharjah would become Tendulkar’s favourite hunting ground for centuries. But this time around he made it special by getting two in three days against his favourite opponents, Australia. The second one came in the final and on his 25th birthday. It was his 15th ODI century.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Despite losing early wickets (Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Tom Moody) by the time they reached 26, Australia were helped by Steve Waugh and Darren Lehman’s 103-run stand in 16 overs as they set a challenging target of 272.
Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly began slowly and had just 39 when Ganguly left. Then Tendulkar took over.
First he added 89 in just over 15 overs with Nayan Mongia and then he and Azharuddin put on 120 in just over 20 overs at nearly six runs an over.
Tendulkar’s 134 took just 131 balls and contained a dozen fours and three sixes. Among those who faced his wrath were Shane Warne, whose 10 wicketless overs cost 61 runs and Tom Moody, who went for 63 in 9.3 overs. India reached the target in 48.3 overs. Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who in January had hit a four with one ball to spare against Pakistan in the Golden Jubilee Independence Cup final at Dhaka, got the winning boundary at Sharjah too, with nine balls to spare.
Tendulkar enjoyed tormenting the Australian bowling as he made 80, 143 and 134 in three innings. Overall, he aggregated 435 runs in five innings and was Man of the Match in the last two games as well as Man of the Series.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar had the fastest fifty of the tournament, of 44 balls, and he also hit a total of 16 sixes.
» Venkatesh Prasad took his 100th ODI wicket, dismissing Michael Kasprowicz.
Tendulkar Ensures No Hiccups Against Kenya in Final
‘Whenever I see Sachin play I am reminded of the Graeme Pollock quote of cricket being a “see the ball, hit the ball game”. He hits the ball as if it’s there to be hit’ - Ian Chappell, rediff.com, September 2002
THE SITUATION
India used the series against two weaker teams - Bangladesh and Kenya - to test some new players. They ended up using 23 players in five games. In the last league match before the final, Kenya shocked India. The Indians didn’t let their guard down after that and coasted through. Yet, it was a Kenyan, Steve Tikolo, who was adjudged Man of the Series.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Kenya’s captain Aasif Karim won the toss and elected to bat. Despite losing four wickets for 23 runs, Kenya aided by Hitesh Modi (71) and Y. Kennedy Otieno (28) managed a partial recovery and got to 196 in 46.3 overs as Venkatesh Prasad took four wickets. Curiously, India had made exactly the same score but in 47.1 overs, when they had lost to Kenya by 69 runs, three days earlier, in the last league match.
But the Indians were never really in any difficulty this time. In the previous match, Rahul Dravid had been the top-scorer with 33. Tendulkar had sat out the first match against Bangladesh as well as the one against Kenya. He had played the next two, but without any major scores.
In the final, Tendulkar (100 not out) and Sourav Ganguly (36) got India of to a fine start of 77 in 13 overs and then Ajay Jadeja (50 not out) completed the win with an unfinished 120-run stand with Tendulkar in less than 22 overs. India won by nine wickets with 15 overs to spare. Tendulkar’s hundred came of 103 balls with 13 fours and he took home yet another Man of the Match award.
Did you know…
» Aasif Karim, the Kenyan captain who played three World Cups (1996, 1999 and 2003) also captained his country in Davis Cup tennis.
» Bangladesh’s win over Kenya in the league stage was their first ODI win in 23 matches.
Tendulkar Shines Amidst a Rain-hit Series
‘Sachin had carried the weight of 1.2 billion people on his shoulder expecting him to be a miracle worker that he often is. … Longevity is a true mark of character’ – Matthew Hayden, NDTV, April 2008
THE SITUATION
It was a tournament badly hit by rain. India, New Zealand and Australia were the invitees but Australia had turned down the invite. The first match in Galle was totally washed out, without a ball being bowled, while two other matches at Colombo (one each at Premadasa Stadium and Sinhala Sports Club) could not be completed.
A year earlier, India had failed to qualify for the final of the Independence Cup in India. They had won the title when Bangladesh staged their Silver Jubilee Independence Cup at Dhaka. Now they won the Singer-Akai Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka, which was staged to mark the Golden Jubilee of Sri Lanka’s independence.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Electing to bat after Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss, Sourav Ganguly (109) and Sachin Tendulkar (128) gave India a dream start, putting on 252 in 44 overs. Ajay Jadeja (25 of 15 balls) and Robin Singh (15 of 8 balls) added to the mayhem as India made 307 for six in 50 overs.
The Sri Lankans put up a terrific fight as Sanath Jayasuriya (32 of 25 balls) and Romesh Kaluwitharana gave them a brisk start at more than six runs an over and they were almost seven runs an over when Kaluwitharana became the second man to leave at 73 in the eleventh over. Aravinda de Silva’s century at more than a run a ball (105 of 94 balls) gave them a good chance of overtaking the Indians. But once de Silva was out and Sri Lanka were 272 for 5, the rest of the Sri Lankan team was dismissed for 301, giving India a six-run win and the title.
Tendulkar was once again Man of the Match, but de Silva (368 runs in five innings) was Man of the Series. Tendulkar scored 263 runs in four innings, with one century and two fifties.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s opening stand of 252 was a new record for one-day internationals.
» Sachin Tendulkar’s 17th ODI century brought him level with Desmond Haynes and he also became the second Indian to cross 7,000 runs in ODIs.
Tendulkar Makes the Most of Good Fortune and Form
‘Playing in the same team as Sachin is a huge honour. His balance of mind, shrewd judgement, modesty and, above all, his technical brilliance make him my all-time hero… You can’t get a more complete cricketer than Sachin. He has everything that a cricketer needs to have - Rahul Dravid, rediff.com, September 2002
THE SITUATION
Soon after the Singer-Akai Cup in Sri Lanka, Sachin Tendulkar accompanied the Indian team to the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur, where cricket was being introduced for the first time. India failed to make the semi-finals, and Tendulkar was flown across the world to Toronto, where another Indian team was playing the Sahara Cup bilateral series against Pakistan. India had already lost the series but in the only match he played, the fifth ODI, Tendulkar scored 77. Less than a week later, he was in Zimbabwe to play a three-match ODI series and a one-of Test.
India won the ODI series 2-1, losing the last match, and then were stunned by a defeat in the only Test at Harare.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Having put the home side in to bat after winning the toss, the Indian bowlers never allowed them to settle down for any big partnership. Ajit Agarkar and Harbhajan Singh took three wickets each as Zimbabwe scored 213 in exactly 50 overs. Skipper Alistair Campbell (53) was the only one to score a fifty.
Tendulkar lost partner Sourav Ganguly early and then made good the reprieves he got at five and 29, both times of Pommie Mbangwa. For the most part, he eschewed risks and ran ones and twos but he was severe on loose deliveries, particularly on the leg side.
Tendulkar went on to score 127 of 130 balls with 13 fours and a six. With Rahul Dravid, he put on 180 runs for the second wicket in just 34 overs. India won with more than seven overs to spare.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar surpassed Desmond Haynes record of 17 ODI centuries in this match.
Tendulkar Returns to Complete Australian Misery for the Year
He has defined cricket in his fabulous, impeccable manner. He is to batting what Shane Warne is to bowling’ - Richie Benaud in the commentary box
THE SITUATION
After rejecting Disneyland and Sharjah as possible venues, the ICC finally turned to Dhaka for the ICC Knockout Cup, though the tournament was nearly moved to India when Bangladesh was hit by devastating floods.
In the first-ever knockout tournament with all Test playing countries participating, New Zealand and Zimbabwe played a pre-quarter final. In the four quarters, South Africa beat England, Sri Lanka beat New Zealand, West Indies beat Pakistan and India beat Australia. In the semis, South Africa moved past Sri Lanka and West Indies beat India. In the final, South Africa defeated West Indies.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Steve Waugh won the toss and put India in. Sachin Tendulkar lost his opening partner in the second over and skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, playing his 300th ODI, went for a duck in the third with the score still in single digits at 8 for 2. Then Tendulkar put on a show that was brilliant even by his own lofty standards.
With Rahul Dravid (48) he put on 140 in 23.2 overs at six an over. After Dravid was run out, Ajay Jadeja (71) was his partner in a 132-run stand in 19 overs at almost seven an over. India finally made 307 for eight in 50 overs. Four Indian batsmen - Dravid, Tendulkar, Jadeja and Sunil Joshi - were run out.
Tendulkar was severe on the Australians, who had flown in from Pakistan less than 48 hours earlier. He got his 141 of 128 balls; this included 13 fours and three sixes. Michael Kasprowicz’s first seven overs cost him 62. The Australians did not have any slow bowlers of quality to bother Tendulkar or the other top Indian batsmen.
Tendulkar had huge support all around and as he pushed a Darren Lehmann delivery for a single to long of to reach his 19th ODI century, the crowd began chanting his name and let of firecrackers.
Mark Waugh opened in a Tendulkar-like manner with 74 of 79 balls, but the other Australians were not disciplined enough. Tendulkar turned out to be as much of a terror with the ball as he was with the bat. His 9.1 overs cost him just 38 runs and fetched him four wickets, including those of Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan. Australia were bowled out for 263 in 48.1 overs, but they were never really in with a chance.
Did you know…
» This was Sachin Tendulkar’s fourth ODI century against Australia in 1998. The other three were made in three countries - India (Kanpur), UAE (Sharjah) and Bangladesh (Dhaka).
» This was the first Mini World Cup played in a knockout format.
» Mohammad Azharuddin became the first to play 300 ODIs, though he was dismissed for a duck in three balls.
Another Century at Sharjah
‘He has everything a top batsman needs. Tendulkar is a classic example of a player being so good that his age is an irrelevance - Alistair Campbell after the match
THE SITUATION
India went straight from the ICC Knockout Cup at Dhaka to the three-nation Champions Trophy at Sharjah, where both they and Zimbabwe won their first matches. The wins came at the expense of Sri Lanka. Earlier in the year, Tendulkar had scored two centuries against Australia and Sharjah was quickly becoming one of his favourite venues.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
Put in to bat, Zimbabwe were never comfortable against the Indian spin attack of Anil Kumble, Sunil Joshi and Nikhil Chopra, who ended the game with two wickets each. Zimbabwe were down to 83 for six before Heath Streak (59) took them to a face-saving 196 all out in the last over.
A solid start of 61 with Sourav Ganguly as Sachin Tendulkar’s partner gave India the right platform to sail along to a comfortable win. Tendulkar and Azharuddin put on 92 runs in just under 19 overs and the win soon became a formality.
Tendulkar dominated the proceedings as India reached the target in 40.4 overs. He scored 118 of the 197 runs needed of 112 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes. Ganguly and Azharuddin were next best at 28 each. Andy Whitall, whose cousin Guy Whitall played for 10 years for Zimbabwe, went for 30 runs in three overs.
Tendulkar’s 20th ODI century fetched him the Man of the Match trophy and India took one more step towards the final.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar became the first player to score 20 ODI centuries.
» Alongside his 16 Test centuries, Sachin Tendulkar had 36 international centuries, going past the 35 by Sunil Gavaskar, Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards.
A Second Title in the Gulf
‘He’s nearly taken the umpire away. He smashed that straight back down the ground and the umpire (Steve) Dunne… he’s gone a little bit pale… it went whistling down his end’ - Tony Grieg in the commentary box
THE SITUATION
It was one of the heaviest seasons India had endured. As the year drew to an end, there was still a Test tour of New Zealand to be made over the New Year. Tendulkar had been brilliant through the year with a bagful of centuries.
At Sharjah, playing for the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy India and Zimbabwe won three of their four matches in the league, losing to each other once. Zimbabwe’s win over India came in the last league match before the final. Sri Lanka lost all four games and were eliminated.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
It was the year’s most comprehensive win for India, by ten wickets with 20 overs to spare. It was the 40th ODI of the year, of which Tendulkar had played 34. India won 24 and lost 14, with two no-results.
If Tendulkar’s century five days earlier had been a dominating one, this one was even more so. Carving the Zimbabwean bowlers for a century of 71 balls, he took 92 balls for his unbeaten 124. His innings included 12 fours and six sixes and he singled out Henry Olonga for special treatment. Two days earlier, Olonga had been Man of the Match with four for 46 - his victims had included Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid and Jadeja. In the final, Olonga was hit for 50 in six overs and Tendulkar was Man of the Match.
Interestingly, Ganguly (63 not out), who opened with Tendulkar, had almost the same amount of strike (at 90 balls) but made just a little over half the runs that Tendulkar scored.
India had picked up a second title in seven months in the Gulf and Tendulkar had four centuries at Sharjah in the same period.
Did you know…
» Sachin Tendulkar’s hundred of 71 balls was his fastest century in his ODI career. It was at that point the second fastest ODI century ever by an Indian. The fastest was Mohammad Azharuddins 62-ball century against New Zealand in 1988.
» In seven months Sachin Tendulkar scored four centuries at Sharjah and India won two titles.
Tendulkar’s Century in Vain as Kiwi Tail Wags Successfully
To Sachin, the man we all want to be - Andrew Symonds, on a T-shirt he autographed for Sachin Tendulkar
THE SITUATION
A few weeks after finishing their engagements at Sharjah, India were of to New Zealand for a Test and ODI series over the new year. In the period since 1986, India had won only one series away and that was in Sri Lanka in 1993-94. In New Zealand, in the second Test, they had a chance, which they blew. Though Sachin Tendulkar (47 and 113) got a century in the second innings, the failure of the other batsmen cost India dearly. The first Test had been abandoned without a ball being bowled at Dunedin and the third Test in January 1999 was drawn. The Kiwis won the series 1-0.
RELIVING THE CENTURY
India elected to bat after winning the toss, but in next to no time, Simon Doull had reduced them to 16 for four in the 11th over. Tendulkar (47) with Mohammad Azharuddin took the team to 99 for four before Doull returned to get both Tendulkar and the next man, Nayan Mongia, in the same over, to make it 99 for six. Azharuddin scored a fighting 103 not out as India made 208 with Doull getting seven for 65.
New Zealand were 179 for six and then 208 for seven, before Dion Nash (89 not out) and Daniel Vettori (57) put on 137 to give them a handy first-innings lead of 144.
The second time around, the Indians did better. After a decent start, they were 112 for three and then 200 for four, when Sourav Ganguly (48) was dismissed. Then Tendulkar (113) and Azhar (48) put on 97 to make it 297.
Tendulkar was aggressive and scored quickly as he reached his hundred of 123 balls. But when the new ball was taken after lunch, he top-edged into the hands of Fleming of Nash.
At that point, the match was well balanced. India were ahead by 153 with five wickets in hand. Nayan Mongia joined Azharuddin at the crease. But the remaining five wickets fell for just 59, setting New Zealand a target of 213.
The Kiwis ended the fourth day at 73 for four with Matthew Bell, Stephen Fleming, Matt Horne and Adam Parore back in the pavilion. Javagal Srinath had fractured Nathan Astle’s hand, and he was unlikely to come out to bat again.
On the final morning, India were in with a great chance of completing a win abroad, something they had always found diffcult to achieve. Paul Wiseman left early in the morning at 74 for five. But Craig McMillan (74 not out) and Chris Cairns (61) put on 137 to take the Kiwis to the doorstep of victory. With a boundary of Srinath, Nash completed the four-wicket win for New Zealand.
Did you know…
» The year 1998 was the most successful for Sachin Tendulkar, with 12 centuries: nine in 34 ODIs and three in five Tests. He had eight centuries in 1996 and six centuries in 1997.
» Daniel Vettori, who had made his Test debut some 23 months earlier, was playing his first Test against India and he was welcomed with a century by Tendulkar, who also scalped his wicket after he had put on 137 with DJ. Nash (89 not out).
PARALLEL LIVES
Viswanathan Anand: Right at the start of the year, Viswanathan Anand, who had come through a gruelling qualifier for the World title, lost to the well-rested Anatoly Karpov, who had the unfair advantage of being seeded straight into the final. After playing 31 games in 30 days, Anand tied the match but lost the tiebreaker.
But with four wins in five events, it was a great year otherwise as Anand won the Torneo International de Ajedrez, Linares, and moved to the No. 2 position in the world. His 1997 performance earned him the Chess Oscar and after a win in Madrid, he came to 2795, just five Elo points less than the landmark achieved so far only by Garry Kasparov. Anand also won the Siemens Nixdorf Duell, Frankfurt, and the Fontys-Tilburg International Chess Tournament in Holland to complete a hugely successful year.
Leander Paes: After his Olympic bronze medal in 1996, Leander’s focus was more on doubles than singles. But in 1998, he had his best results in the form of his one and only ATP singles title at Newport. He also beat Pete Sampras in straight sets at the New Haven ATP tournament. But it was in doubles, in the company of Mahesh Bhupathi, that he was beginning to stand out. The pair reached the semi-finals of three Grand Slams: the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open. But Paes was unable to work his magic in the Davis Cup, where India lost 2-3 to higher-ranked Great Britain in the first round of the World Group.
HIS ALSO HAPPENED IN 1998
The year opened with all California bars, clubs and card rooms banning smoking.
A week later, the World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Ahmed Yousef was sentenced to life imprisonment.
On 25 January, Spice Girl Victoria Adams and soccer superstar David Beckham announced their engagement.
But the story of the year was American President Bill Clinton’s alleged affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. On 26 January, he said, ‘I want to say one thing to the American people. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.’ Seven months later, on 15 August, Clinton confessed to Hilary about the Lewinsky affair. And two days later, he testified before a grand jury investigating his conduct, the first president to do so. He admitted to an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with Monica Lewinsky. Before the end of the year, the House of Representatives had approved two articles of impeachment, charging President Clinton with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice.
In India, the dates for the general elections were announced. Sonia Gandhi launched her election campaign from Sriperumbudur, where her husband Rajiv Gandhi had been assassinated. On 16 February, more than 100 million people cast their votes.
After two more phases of voting, the BJP and its allies emerged as the single largest political party with the Congress behind them. BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee took office following a 13-party coalition, and 10 days later, he won a confidence vote.
On 13 May, India conducted three underground nuclear tests at Pokhran and two days later, carried out two more. USA and Japan imposed economic sanctions on India, and in June, the UN Security Council condemned India and Pakistan for testing their nuclear weapons. For the rest of the year, the government reeled under rising prices and inflation.