Sachin Tendulkar, also known as the “Master Blaster,” is one of the most legendary cricket players of all time. He is often regarded as the greatest batsman in cricket history. Tendulkar had an illustrious career spanning over two decades, during which he amassed numerous records, accolades, and achievements. Among his many feats, Tendulkar played some of the most memorable innings in cricket history.
Here are seven of Sachin Tendulkar’s best innings.
1. 241* vs Australia, Sydney, 2004
In this Test match, Sachin Tendulkar produced one of his finest innings ever. He scored an unbeaten 241 runs off 436 balls, including 33 fours, and batted for over 10 hours. His marathon innings helped India secure a draw against a formidable Australian side. It was also his highest test score. The series was not Tendulkar’s greatest, and his form wasn’t all that promising. Tendulkar was still standing when the tourists announced their innings at 705 for seven after India had chosen to bat and had entered at 128 for two.
Even though it wasn’t his finest performance, it still contributed to India’s series-tying performance.
Together with VVS Laxman, he added 353 runs for the fourth wicket out of his 33 fours. Of those, 28 came on the leg side. Following his unbeaten 241, Tendulkar declared that he would “place this inning right at the top of my hundreds,” demonstrating just how valuable and significant this inning was.
2. 98 vs Pakistan, Centurion, 2003
Sachin Tendulkar’s innings of 98 runs against Pakistan in the 2003 Cricket World Cup is regarded as one of his finest performances. The match was held at Centurion in South Africa, and it was a high-pressure encounter between the two arch-rivals.
Pakistan had set a target of 274 runs for India to win the match. Tendulkar, who opened the innings, played an incredible knock and took on the Pakistani bowlers from the start. He played some breathtaking shots and punished the Pakistani bowlers, especially Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Younis.
Tendulkar was in sublime form, and it seemed like he would take India to a comfortable victory. However, he was dismissed for 98 runs, falling just short of a century. Despite his dismissal, India managed to win the match thanks to some solid contributions from the other batsmen.
Tendulkar’s innings of 98 runs is regarded as one of the greatest innings in the history of cricket, and it helped India to gain the upper hand against Pakistan in the World Cup. The match is still remembered for Tendulkar’s incredible performance and is considered as one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket history.
3. 146 vs South Africa, Cape Town, 2010
Sachin Tendulkar’s innings of 146 runs against South Africa in Cape Town during the 2010-11 series is considered as one of his most memorable performances. The match was held at Newlands Cricket Ground and was the first of the three-match Test series between India and South Africa.
Tendulkar batted for more than eight hours and faced 307 deliveries during his innings. He played with great determination and skill, showing his mastery over the South African bowling attack, which included Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander.
During his innings, Tendulkar showed his class with some elegant strokes and incredible shot selection. He played some exquisite cover drives, pull shots, and flicks, which left the South African bowlers and the spectators in awe.
4. 103* vs England, Chennai, 2008-09
Tendulkar holds every significant batting record, with the possible exception of a century in the fourth inning of an Indian victory.
India was left to chase 387 on a deteriorating pitch after struggling in the first innings of the Chennai Test against the spin of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar.
Virender Sehwag supplied the blazing start that got England off to a bad start, and Yuvraj Singh added the finishing touches. Nevertheless, in the middle, Tendulkar cultivated the chase, barely ever showing signs of stress, scurrying through for singles like a teenager, and occasionally breaking the rules with strange limits.
The last of those restrictions put an end to the search and raised the subject of the elusive century. It also worked well in that it appeared at the same location.
Also read: Sachin Tendulkar’s Battle with Tennis Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery
5. 120 vs England, 2011 World Cup
India and England have a long history together. India is the world’s top cricketing nation, notwithstanding England’s assertion that it invented the sport. A matchup between these two sides at the world cup is usually amazing.
India will play England in a qualification match for the group stage of the 2011 World Cup. Sehwag left after a brief spell after opening the batting with Tendulkar. While wickets continued to fall frequently, Sachin maintained his tempo and batted brilliantly. He got out at 120 after scoring a magnificent 100. India was able to register a strong total of 338 thanks to this.
6.194* vs Pakistan, Multan
Fans mainly recall this game for Sehwag’s 309 runs. But Sachin Tendulkar also contributed a crucial inning. He blasted 21 home runs en route to his 194-point total off 348 pitches. Had Dravid not made the decision to declare, Tendulkar might have reached his 200. The enormous total that India set was 675/5. Pakistan’s response was to give in to 407 and move on, which it did. India won the game by an inning and 52 runs after Pakistan was all out for 216.
7. 114 vs Bangladesh, Dhaka
For many players in international cricket, reaching a century mark is a dream. Later, Tendulkar amassed 100 international centuries. For Sachin and the entire cricket community, his 100th and last century are incredibly significant moments.
In 2012, India and Bangladesh competed at the Asia Cup in Dhaka. Tendulkar and Gambhir opened the batting for India as usual. One of Sachin’s slowest innings was this one. It was most likely because he hadn’t scored a century in a while. When Sachin ultimately passed the 100-run threshold, he set a record for the most international hundreds ever scored (100).
Cricket triumphed in the match despite India’s defeat.
In conclusion, Sachin Tendulkar’s top 7 innings are a testament to his skill, determination, and sheer brilliance on the cricket field. These innings showcase his ability to adapt to different match situations and conditions, his mental toughness, and his unparalleled talent.
From his match-saving 119 not out against England at Old Trafford in 1990 to his blistering 175 against Australia in Hyderabad in 2009, Sachin Tendulkar has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world with his top 7 innings. His performances in these innings have inspired countless cricket fans and players alike, and his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen of all time is secure.