25 Years Of Desert Storm: As Sachin Tendulkar Turns 50, Relive His Magnum Opus From 1998

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25 Years Of Desert Storm: As Sachin Tendulkar Turns 50, Relive His Magnum Opus From 1998


Two days earlier than his twenty fifth birthday, in 1998, Sachin Tendulkar carried out one in every of his best acts. We are speaking about ‘The Desert Storm’, a knock that outlined two issues: Tendulkar’s character and his God-like standing amongst followers. This was Sharjah and India took on Australia. At stake was a spot within the remaining of the tri-nation Coca-Cola Cup. India have been required to both beat Australians or end with higher Net Run Rate (NRR) than the third group within the sequence, New Zealand. Australia have been already by however they weren’t going to make issues simpler for India right here.

Australia placed on 284 for 7 in 50 overs

India, led by Mohammad Azharuddin, have been nervous chasers in these days. After Australia gained the toss, they requested Indians to chase. Australia knew that in these circumstances, it could be simple to face NZ within the remaining than India. Mark Waugh (81) Michael Bevan (101) obtained Australia to 284 for 7 in 50 overs. T20s weren’t a factor then. A 285-run goal was a frightening job, particularly in Sharjah, towards a bowling lineup that had names like Damien Fleming, Michael Kasprowicz and the genius Shane Warne. 

India pinned hopes on Tendulkar to come back good once more. There is a purpose the Indian legend obtained the standing of ‘God’ right here in India. Whenever issues went out of hand on the 22 yards, Sachin was there to take the group out of hassle. Fans wished for a Tendulkar particular. And a Tendulkar particular was delivered to them. 

An unforgettable knock

During the sport a sandstorm hit the stadium in Sharjah. It introduced the sport to a standtill for good half an hour earlier than resumption. When one sandstorm got here to an finish, one other started as Tendulkar obtained into his zone and performed photographs that are nonetheless etched in reminiscence of those that noticed it. ‘The Desert Storm’ is how newspapers, commentators and cricket pundits would go on to name this particular by Tendulkar.

“It just cannot be put into words. Over the head, through covers, through midwicket, it seemed he just sent the ball wherever he wanted to. It was an amazing knock, and that’s why he rates it as one of his best,”  Mazhar Khan, the managing director of the historic Sharjah Stadium, informed Hindustan Times.

The Desert Storm

Sourav Ganguly, his opening associate again after scoring simply 17, Tendulkar reached his fifty within the twenty second over. It got here off 57 balls and courtesy 3 fours and a couple of sixes respectively. But prefer it occurred on most days in Indian cricket, the group panicked in a chase, going from 107 for 1 to 138 for 4 very quickly. From the twenty ninth over, Tendulkar took cost and enthralled the cricket-mad crowd on the stadium with terrifric shot making. The huge sixes at Sharjah lit up the evening sky. Tendulkar stood agency alone it appeared towards 11 Aussies. To see such strokes come one after the opposite below such a stress scenario made for a fantastic watch. 

The Duckworth Lewis had reduce quick the goal to 276 however what Tendulkar eyed was the reduce off of 237 to qualify for the ultimate. With 9 fours and 5 sixes, Tendulkar had superbly constructed 143 off 131 balls to take India previous the qualification mark earlier than departing.

India misplaced the match by 26 runs (DLS) however reached the ultimate of the tri-series on foundation of a superior NRR. Tendulkar smashed 134 within the remaining to information India to a memorable win. However, it’s the ‘The Desert Storm’ that’s remembered extra by the followers for the followers noticed Tendulkar personal Aussies like by no means earlier than, at a time when chips have been down.





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