The genius turned 35. For nearly two decades now, he's enthralled millions worldwide with his sheer brilliance. Do we expect more outstanding performances from him in the future? Only time will tell. It would be foolish to write him off - I personally look forward to watching him bat as only he can.
On a birthday which the entire cricketing community celebrates, as a humble fan-tribute I'd like to describe five of his best that I have seen (I begun watching him play from the 1996 World Cup).
1. 169 v/s South Africa at Cape Town
(2 Jan 1997)
During the initial phase of his captaincy, Sachin and Azhar got together at 58 for 5 in reply to an imposing South African total of over 500 at Newlands. What followed was an epic partnership in which both players matched each other stroke for stroke. They showed complete disdain for the likes of lightning fast Donald, immaculate Pollock, young tearaway quick Klusener and Brian McMillan. Sachin produced some beautiful hooks and square cuts, even playing on the up with ease. The partnership ended when Azhar was run out, yet Sachin continued till the end and was the last wicket to fall. Even though India went on to lose the match, it was a magnificent counterattack.
2. 104 off 97 balls v/s Zimbabwe at Benoni
(9 Feb 1997)
It was a do-or-die match for India. Surprised in the initial stages of the triangular ODI series by the Zimbabwean seam attack, India had to win at an increased run-rate to qualify for the finals. The target 241 off 40 overs. The pressure was on the Indian batsmen with an indifferent record in the series. India lost a couple of wickets early, but then Sachin began turning the screws - dancing down the track to play lofted shots straight down the wicket. The Zimbabwean hero of the series, Eddo Brandes, was taken to the cleaners early on as he was taken for 18 runs in an over in his first spell. Although Sachin got out with the end in sight, Jadeja and an in-form Robin Singh took India home in the final overs.
3. 143 off 131 balls v/s Australia at Sharjah
(22 April 1998)
An innings which needs no description. A couple of days before his 25th birthday, India again were in a do-or-die situation, needing to chase and score 237 off 46 overs to qualify for the finals. Not a daunting target, but as usual, Sachin was running out of partners pretty fast - Mongia contributed as a pinch-hitter and Laxman stuck around near the end, but that was it. As some of the newspapers described it the next day "A storm of runs in the midst of a sandstorm". Play was interrupted in between, but Sachin put on a belter of a display, hitting five towering sixes in the process. Not only did India qualify for the finals, at one stage it looked like Sachin would dispatch any delivery bowled to him outside the ropes. He followed up this innings with a particularly classy 134 in the finals, helping India win the Coca-cola Cup in the process, on his birthday.
4. 136 v/s Pakistan at Chennai
(28 January 1999)
Perhaps his best test knock ever. Also, perhaps the most tragic. Reduced to 82 for 5 while chasing a target in excess of 270 on the final day of a dusty track, India looked towards its favourite son to deliver - and boy, did he deliver! Finding an able partner in Nayan Mongia (again!) who was willing to stick around, Sachin fought the pitch and his own back to produce a gem of an innings. Finally his back gave way and he departed with India just 16 behind and three wickets in hand. Pakistan won by 12 runs. It definitely has to be the best test innings to end in defeat.
5. 98 off 75 balls v/s Pakistan at Centurion
(1 March 2003)
An innings which powered India's charge to the finals in the 2003 World Cup. Talks of Sachin being past his prime were doing the rounds prior to the team touching down in South Africa. All of that was cast aside as Sachin toyed with the star-studded bowling lineup of Akram, Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar to set up India's run-chase and qualify for the super sixes. His six over third man off Shoaib became legendary, to say the least. He was unfortunate to miss out on a hundred as cramps took over, but Yuvraj and Dravid saw the team safely through the end overs.
All of these are examples which epitomize the fire, passion, class and pure genius that is Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. I salute you on your 35th birthday. May you continue to delight us for days to come!
