On This Day In 1998: Sachin Tendulkar-Storm Grinds Australia In The Dust

“Ohhh! It’s high, it’s high, it’s all the way, it’s way over the top, into the crowd again, Sachin Tendulkar wants to win this match” An elated Late Tony Greig couldn’t control his excitement as Sachin Tendulkar went berserk in what is now famously referred as the Sandstorm innings on this day in April 1998.

There is this thing about champions- their innate self-belief. Inside their stomach smolders a baptism with fire; a will, a desire so powerful that they proceed to do things that mere mortals can only dream of. Sachin Tendulkar not only used to dream about them, but he also went about converting that obscure dream into reality every time he walked on the cricket field. April 22, 1998, was another testification of the aforementioned fact.

India [Sachin Tendulkar] vs Australia. Coca-Cola Cup Tri-nation tournament, 1998. Sharjah

Sachin Tendulkar and 1998. Tell me, is there a better love story than this? Yeah? Okay! Let me add Australia to it. Now? Still, have doubts? Add Sharjah, and the slightest of doubts that you have would forever be shellacked! Just like Australia were shellacked throughout that year, more-so on this very day, 22 years ago.

India, Australia, and New Zealand were playing the annual tri-nation series in Sharjah. And, Australia, as usual, were at their dominant best, winning each of their three games with disdain to book their spot in the final. Coming into their final league-stage fixture against India, the only question surrounding the Aussies was which of India or New Zealand, will they be facing in the summit clash on April 24th.

Batting first, Australia, on the back of a brilliant hundred by Michael Bevan posted 7-284 in 50 overs. For India, the equation was simple- either scale down the target or at least score a minimum number of runs that would help them pip the Kiwis on the back of a superior net run-rate.

The whole of India was looking at one man to help them reach the finals. Yep! The one and only Sachin Tendulkar. And, Sachin made his intentions pretty clear from the outset. Knowing fully well that the team needed a whirlwind start to have any chance, Tendulkar teed into the likes of Michael Kasprowicz and Damien Fleming. Anything that was slightly short, the Little Champion would dance down the track and nail it over backward square-leg. BANG! Six! Anything pitched up, he would either unleash his trademark on-drives on simply loft the bowler over their head.

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar Was Harder To Dislodge Than Brian Lara: Jason Gillespie

And, Tony Greig’s voice just added to the drama!

His statement: “They are dancing in the isles in Sharjah” perfectly encapsulated the mood of the crowd, which was going berserk with every sumptuous stroke that the Master unleashed.

After Sourav Ganguly’s dismissal, India took a punt by slotting in pinch-hitter Nayan Mongia at the N0.3 spot. And, the move worked wonders! The duo accumulated a whirlwind 69-run-stand for the second wicket.

But, just as it looked like the duo were consolidation India’s innings, a middle-order collapse ensued and within no time, the Men in Blue found themselves reeling at 4-138.

All of India’s hopes now hinged on one man- Sachin Tendulkar. But with the score reading 4-143, a massive sandstorm engulfed the stadium, forcing a break in the proceedings.

Sachin-Storm takes over Sharjah

The game eventually resumed after the sandstorm subsided. But the damage had already been done. India’s revised target of 237 runs in 46 years had made their chances of qualifying for the final, even more difficult.

But, then, there is this another quality that defines a genius- the desire for a challenge. The bigger the enormity of a challenge and situation, the more they rise to the occasion.

And, Ravi Shastri summed it up beautifully in the commentary box when he said- “He is a champion and he needs a challenge and there can be a no bigger challenge than this”

Little did Ravi or anyone had realized that Tendulkar was not only determined to take India into the finals, he also wanted to win the game for his country.

And, so after the sandstorm, it was time for ‘Sachin Storm’ to hit Sharjah. Tendulkar batted as a man possessed after the resumption. Such was the ferocity of his stroke-making that at one time, even Australia’s total looked under threat.

Slower delivery? Banged over the bowler’s head. Boom! Six! Fullish delivery? Lofted over the bowler’s head again! Boom! Six! Short delivery? He gets inside the line to smoke it over fine-leg. Four!

Sachin Tendulkar brought up his hundred in the 38th over amidst thunderous applause and such was the pressure that he had inflicted on the Aussies that even simple catches went begging.

India finally overhauled the desired total of 237 in the 43rd over to book their place into the finals. But Sachin wasn’t done. He continued to flay the Aussie bowlers to all corners of the ground and if not for his decision to walk, despite the umpire not raising his finger, after he had edged a short delivery to Adam Gilchrist, he would have overhauled the total of 272 to take India to an unlikely win.

Sachin Tendulkar revealed later that he had not seen a sandstorm prior to that night. He ensured that the Australians saw a storm like no other on that memorable night of April 22, 1998.

Also Read: Andrew Flintoff Reckons Phil Neville Could Have Been England’s Answer To Sachin Tendulkar Or Ricky Ponting

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