The MAN who became GOD!!
2001
Undoubtedly , the 2001 Border Gavaskar trophy will always be remembered for the greatest Test win at Kolkata. India won the test after being asked to follow on courtesy Laxman's 281 and Drvaid's 180 . But not to forget Tendulkar, who didn't contribute with the bat to India's greatest win but he picked up three vital second-innings wickets. And he scored a century in Chennai to help India win the third Test and the series.
The Journey Continues
Border Gavaskar Trophy
2002
Left Behind Sir Don
In his 99th Test, Tendulkar overtook Don Bradman's 29 hundreds, by scoring 193 at Headingley. It contributed to an innings-and-46-run win
2003
WC 2003 - Master-Blaster
India could not win the 2003 WC , but it will always be remembered for some very special innings played by Sachin during the tournament. Sachin was in the form of his life. He made 673 runs at an avg of 61.18. He scored one century and 6 half centuries in the tournament. Twice he got dismissed in 90s , 98 against Pakistan & 97 against SriLanka. Twice in 80s as well , 83 against Kenya & 81 against Zimbabwe.
His 98 against Pakistan was the most special innings. Chasing 274 against the likes of Wasim , Waqar and Shoaib wasn't easy. But Tendulkar was middling the ball from the word go. The upper cut against Shoaib Akhtar that sailed over the third-man boundary for six was the defining moment.
2004
India was on the tour to Australia. Tendulkar had not performed well in the first three tests of the series and was getting out caught behind the wickets trying to play the cover drive. It was the 4th test at SCG and in walked the man who was determined not to repeat the mistake that he had been doing in past three tests. The Australian bowlers started feeding him deliveries just outside off hoping that tendulkar would once again fall again in the trap. Wicket Keeper and slip cordon kept waiting for the edge but it never came. Tendulkar kept leaving the deliveries outside off , which forced the bowlers to bowl at him , and as soon as they bowled in line with the stumps , Tendulkar flicked them to the on side for runs. First he reached his hundered and then went on to score a brilliant double. He scored 241* without even attempting his gorgeous cover drive once. That innings reflected how determined he was. When you know that you are good at something it's very difficult to stop urself from doing that. But it seemed that Tendulkar had kept the cover drive out of his repertoire.
Lines from Harsha Bhogle while commentary when he reached to his 100 - " What an extraordinary hundred for a great cricketer and a lovely man". Yes, for his sheer discipline and determination that was indeed extraordinary innings.
2005
Tennis Elbow & 35th Test Hundred. Surpasses Gavaskar.
This was the year when " Tennis Elbow" threatened to end what had been a remarkable career.But when over a million people pray for your wellbeing not much can go wrong. Due to injury he had to miss a triangular series in Sri Lanka, a tour to Zimbabwe, and the Super Series in Australia.
But he made a roaring comeback to international cricket by making 93 off 96 balls against Sri Lanka in Nagpur.
Few days later on 10 Dec , 2005 he became the leading centurion in test cricket. He overtook the tally of 34 hundreds by Sunil Gavaskar , scored a brilliant 109 against Sri Lanka. It was a noticable fact that everytime he went away from the game due to an injury he came back more determined and always played a special comeback innings.
2007
Series Win in England & Year Of Missed Hundreds
India toured England to play 3 tests and 7 ODIs under captaincy of Rahul Dravid. India won the test series by 1-0 by winning the second test at Nottingham. Sachin scored 91 in 1st innings. India won the test series in England after 20 years. It was the time when Tendulkar was bitten by "NERVOUS NINETEES" bug. He kept getting out in the 90s. Infact, he got dismissed seven times between 90 and 100 , thrice on 99. This year would have contributed heavily towards his 100s tally had everything fallen in place. But unfortunately that was not to be.
2008
CB Series Win in Australia & Highest run scorer in tests.
Cometh the hour , Cometh the MAN.India was on the tour to Australia and once again it was SCG , Sachin's favourite hunting ground. India had never won a ODI series in Australia. Not only that Tendulkar was yet to score his first century in ODI on Australian soil. On this tour both of these goals were achieved. Australia gave India the target of 240 to win the first to three finals. Tendulkar scored 114* to help his team claim the 1st final. Few days later he again made 91 which helped India to reach a competetive total of 258.Bowlers did well to defend the score and India finally won its first ODI series in Australia. Later that year , Australia came on to tour India. Tendulkar became the higest run scorer in tests , surpassing Lara in the test played at Mohali. As soon as tendulkar guided the ball from debutant Peter Siddle to the third man, Mark Nicholas in the commentary shouted - " And with that beautiful guided shot to the third man , Sachin Tendulkar becomes the highest run getter in the history of test cricket. " The play came to halt after that moment for almost 10 mins as there were crackers all over the ground. It seemed mohali was celebrating diwali.A lovely moment , one to cherish for the life time.
2009
175 against Aussies. His Best ODI Innings
Started with a fluent 163* against New Zealand in Christchurch to win the 3rd ODI of the series. Later, On 5th Nov he played the inning that for me personally is his best. Chasing 351 against Australia under lights , it needed a special inning from someone to even get close to the target. And that came from the most special player. He made a chanceless 175 with 19 fours and 4 massive sixes. He did everything right but could not complete the last lap. He got out with India needing 19 off 17 , but the tail failed to hold their nerves and India fell short by just 3 runs. Even Tendulkar rates this inning of his as the best ODI inning of his career. But it would have been even better had he ended on a winning side.My Favourite moment of that inning of his is, he hit a awesome cover drive of Ben Hilfenhaus and Arun Lal was in commentary box, i just cannot forget his lines - " Ohh sensational. There are people standing all around me in the box and clapping, this is that type of an innings. I still remember I cried a lot after the match. I cried not because India lost but because Sachin was once again not supported enough by other team members and his innings went in vain.
2010
Double without CoverDrive
First Man to Reach 200 . 50th test century.
When it looked that He has achieved whatever one can in terms of numbers , came the year when He reached to new heights.Scored 1562 runs in tests at an avg of above 90. Even in ODIs he was in top form, scored 972 runs in the year. Scored 200* in ODI against South Africa at Gwalior and became the first player to do it.Famous words of Ravi Shastri while commentary (" FIRST MAN ON THE PLANET TO REACH 200 AND IT'S THE SUPERMAN FROM INDIA. TAKE A BOW MASTER").In Tests he reached to his 50th Test Century versus South Africa . This feat of his is most unlikely to be broken.Truly one of the best years of his career.
2011
Dream of Winning the World Cup finally fulfilled.
His ultimate dream was to be part of the World Cup winning team and this dream turned into reality this year. It was probably his last opportunity,having featured in six world cups, it's better late than never.The World Cup touraments had always been the one where Tendulkar displayed the best of his skills. Barring 2007 WC , he performed superbly in all of them. 2012 was no different. Rite from the first match against bangladesh he looked in great form. His centuries against England and South Africa continued his great run in WC tournaments. Then the two big ones.. 53 against Australia in Quaters followed by 85 against Pakistan in Semis insured that India was once again in the WC Finals after 2003.Tendulkar missed out in the finals on 18 but his mates were determined to win it for Him. The likes of Gambhir , Kohli, Dhoni and Yuvraj ensured that India lifted the WC after 28 years.As soon as Dhoni hit the winning Six there were emotions all over the country. For the country which is obsessed with this game, where people consider the game as religion and worship the players, for them this was probably the biggest day.Even the players could not hide their emotions. Sachin was all in tears. Later the players lifted Sachin on their shoulders and went for the victory lap.April 2, 2011 dream of millions were fulfilled.
Sachin finished as the second highest run getter in the tournament with 483 runs.
2012
100 Hundreds......... And Retirement from ODIs.............
March 16 2012 , during Aisa Cup Sachin finally reached to his 100th hundred against Bangladesh. Unbelievable Achievement.
23rd Dec 2012 , Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement. I would say he made limited overs cricket his own. He was the undisputed king , far ahead of all others. His numbers speaks for himself. Most runs , most hundreds , most matches , most man of the matches, what else one can ask for.One thing that will always hurt me is that he should have played one last farewell odi. He deserved a standing ovation.