IND vs BAN: Aakash Chopra exposes Sachin Tendulkar’s frustration, dressing room secrets after infamous 194* declaration

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Aakash Chopra recently opened up about the dressing room scenes and the reaction of the God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, after the infamous declaration by the Indian team when the latter was batting at 194*.

The year was 2004 when India toured Pakistan for a five-match ODI series and a three-match Test series, winning by 3-2 and 2-1. It was the first Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium, which was played from March 28 to April 1, that became the most talked about game from that tour.

The first Test saw Virender Sehwag playing an iconic innings of 309 runs and becoming the first Indian to score a triple-century in Tests. He scored his runs off 375 balls and smashed 39 fours as well as 6 sixes while batting at a strike rate of 82.40.

However, there was another incident in the same Test that is still remembered by fans. As Sachin Tendulkar was nearing his double ton, stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid decided to declare the innings.

When Dravid called back his players, Sachin Tendulkar was batting at the score of 194* runs, and this decision baffled many, leading to Dravid receiving criticism. Notably, India declared at 675/5d and wanted to take advantage of a tiring Pakistani side and a deteriorating pitch.

Two decades after that incident, Aakash Chopra, who played that match and scored 42 runs while opening the batting, has opened up about the matter. Aakash Chopra said that Tendulkar was visibly unhappy with the decision, but didn't lose his temper.

"I was in the dressing room, but I wasn't part of that conversation. To be very honest, I didn't even try to get into it because I was too young. Yes, paaji wasn't happy that day. I think I saw him unhappy for the first time. I never saw him lose temper, and he didn't exactly lose temper that day but he was visibly unhappy. Something wasn't right,” Aakash Chopra told YouTube channel 2 Sloggers.

Rahul did call, but Dada was part of the dressing room that day too - Aakash Chopra

While talking about the dressing room scenes, Aakash Chopra revealed that Sourav Ganguly was also present there and he was involved in the decision-making.

"Rahul did call, but Dada (Ganguly) was part of the dressing room that day too. He wasn't playing in that game, but he was in the dressing room, and I'm sure he was part of the think tank. It wasn't the captain's decision alone,” said Aakash Chopra.

"After the game, Rahul did say that he wouldn't have declared had he known the match would end within 4 days. With Rahul, it is possible that in heat of the moment, you agree or disagree. But you don't doubt his decision. You know that even if he was at a similar position, he would've taken the same decision," added Aakash Chopra.

Meanwhile, India bowled out Pakistan for 407 in the first innings of the match to enforce a follow-on and then again bundled them out for 216 to clinch a victory by an innings and 52 runs