Mumbai: For the first time in two decades, the Indian cricket team will take guard against Australia in their own backyard without the presence of a man who always made the difference – Sachin Tendulkar.
The Australian pitches have troubled the Indian batsmen often but this man stood tall, against all odds (read: the deadly Merv Hughes and Craig McDermott). Glenn McGrath would probably be playing domestic cricket that time and Mitchell Johnson, in his nappies.
In 1991-92 season, the Aussies wrapped the series as usual, thrashing India 4-0 in five Test matches (one being a draw). But the master announced his arrival with a 148 not out in Sydney and a 114 in Perth – which is known to be a fast bowler’s paradise. He was only 19.
Watch
Eight years went, players came and vanished but he was still there in the middle. This time, as a captain (1999). In the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Tendulkar scored a fighting 116 when the whole team failed. Coming into bat when the scoreboard read 11/2 with McGrath and Shane Warne around, it wasn't easy.
Watch
He broke all boundaries in 2003 (Sydney Cricket Ground) when he decided not to play the cover drive throughout his innings to avoid the caught-behind dismissal. Result? He went on to score a double hundred (241 not out).
Watch
In 2008, the team had tightened. There were champions in the middle-order which made his task easier. In the second Test at Sydney, along with VVS Laxman – who also scored a hundred – Tendulkar helped India take a lead against the hosts scoring 154. In Adelaide, he scored 153.
Watch
Team India will miss the services of the Master but can anybody step up and fill in his shoes. Virat Kohli? What do you think?
