When Tendulkar went Bonkers - LM, please upload this pic.
It was a rare sight for those present at the Wankhede Statdium, when Sachin Tendulkar went bonkers, celebrating after guiding Mumbai to the vital first innings lead against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy Semifinal.
Usually, he acknowledges a landmark by looking skywards and waving his bat towards the stands. But on April 14, 2000 Tenudlkar could not control his emotions. After pulling Kumaran to the midwicket fence, Tendulkar appeared to throw a vigorous upper cut in the air.
Tendulkar went out to bat at the 77 for 2 and Mumbai still adrift by a good 408 runs. At lunch on the third day, Tendulkar was nine short of his century. A cover drive off Kumaran(13th four) saw him complete it.
Robin Singh brought on Gokulakrishnan, who looked good when he pitched the ball up. But when he pitched short, Sachin hooked him for two sixes; one over backward square leg and second one over fine leg. His 16th four brought up his 150 (217b, 16*4, 3*6)Mumbai lost Pawar and Agarkar and at close of the 3rd day, Tendulkar was on 213 with Kurvilla on 0 and Mumbai on 470.
Tamil Nadu’s Captain Robin Singh kept eight men on the fence, positioning himself about 30 yards from the bat, as expected Tendulkar refused to take singles. Kuruvilla got run out on 472.
It looked like anybody’s game now(for the 1st inning lead) when Tendulkar stepped out and smashed Mahesh out of the ground and into the university stadium. Saxena survived an over from Mahesh after which Tendulkar pulled Kumaran. It was a moment Tendulkar was waiting for to end his teammates’ agony.
Source: Sportstar- April 29, 2000
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