Cricket fans around the world still look up to the Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, the Master Blaster. As a member of an Indian side that experienced many ups and downs, the little maestro represented India for 24 years.
During his time with the Indian team, Sachin Tendulkar played 664 times abroad. With 51 tons, he scored 15,921 Test runs with an average of 53.78. With 49 hundreds, he scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83 in ODIs.
During his playing days, Sachin Tendulkar faced both adulation and criticism. He was unfairly criticized for his lack of contribution during the chase of the innings.
In many instances, he won the game for India in a chase. There was his unbeaten 103 at Chennai in 2008, 98 at Centurion against Pakistan in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, 117 not out at the SCG in the first final of the CB series in 2008, and 134 at Sharjah in 1998.
1. IPL 2012: Sachin Tendulkar (74 off 44) against Chennai Super Kings at Mumbai:
Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh won the toss and elected to field first. Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina and Dwayne Bravo led the charge for CSK, and MS Dhoni finished with a 15-ball-25. In 20 overs, CSK made 173/8.
The goal was achievable, but they needed a good start. Mumbai opened with Sachin Tendulkar and James Franklin, a newly formed pair. It backfired, however. Mumbai Indians were 8/1 after 2.2 overs after Franklin was out for 1 off 9 balls.
Tendulkar’s quick knock contained 11 fours and a maximum and came at a strike-rate of 168. Ravindra Jadeja and Albie Morkel were among the targets of the legendary batsman.
MI had scored 134 in 15.5 overs when Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed him. Sachin’s effort didn’t go to waste, thanks to Dwayne Smith’s brutal hitting.
2. IPL 2010: Sachin Tendulkar (71* off 48) against Kolkata Knight Riders:
Another successful chase under the leadership of Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai. Sachin Tendulkar led the chase and remained unbeaten to the end.
The Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bat first. No KKR batsman could dominate the game except Chris Gayle, who scored 75 (60). KKR were restricted to 155/3 by Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh bowling well-controlled spells.
With Shikhar Dhawan playing second fiddle, Tendulkar got off to a swashbuckling start. In the powerplay, Little Master hit six boundaries off Ishant Sharma’s two overs.
3. IPL 2010: Sachin Tendulkar scored 72 points on 52 attempts against Chennai Super Kings:
The Mumbai Indians had a great start in the tournament, while CSK were still trying to find their rhythm. At the innings break, they would have been satisfied with their performance after being put in to bat by Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar. Chennai Super Kings scored 180 after Suresh Raina’s unbeaten 83 off 52 and Subramaniam Badrinath’s 55 off 45.
Sachin Tendulkar and Shikhar Dhawan then ensured the Mumbai Indians started well. When Dhawan fell with MI at 94, Tendulkar led the charge and held on to one end. Mumbai Indians had a few nervous moments after losing Saurabh Tiwary and Rajagopal Sathish in quick succession, but Sachin Tendulkar teamed up with Kieron Pollard to help MI get closer to the target.
Mumbai secured a win with an over to spare when he was dismissed with less than 10 runs to go.
