Plenty to fear from Sachin Tendulkar – 5th down under series
It is a measure of Sachin Tendulkar’s greatness that he produces his best performances when pitted against the best opposition.
Tendulkar makes more runs per innings (60.60) against Australia than against any other major Test team, and the Aussies have been the leading Test team through much of his 22-year Test career.
In nine knocks in that series, Sachin made less than 40 seven times. But the two tons (he added 114 in a 300-run loss in the fifth Test at then-bouncy Perth) showcased his quality, and ability to adapt to varied conditions. The Sydney pitch in those days turned sharply, and Australia often played two spinners for the only time in series. And Perth was still a fast, bouncy surface that favoured pacemen. Totally different batting techniques were required at the two venues, and Tendulkar mastered both. His balanced, efficient style, reliant on timing, rather than extensive footwork, meant he played the ball late, and could cope with movement.
The pattern established in that first series against Australia continued throughout Sachin’s career – either get him out cheaply (he has been out for less than 20 in 41% of his innings, a relatively high figure for such a great player) – or suffer major consequences. Once Tendulkar is on top of the bowling, he is insatiable, not easily satisfied by reaching three figures, and almost impossible to dismiss.
Of the 10 centuries he has scored against the Aussies in 29 Tests, he end up not out in four of them, and most became monstrous epics: 148*, 114, 155*, 177, 116, 126, 241*, 154*, 153, 109, 214
In series consisting of more than two matches against the Aussies, he has always managed at least one century. On four occasions he has scored two centuries, underscoring his massive influence on series results. He has the best aggregate and average against Australia of all comers since 1990, when Australia was coming into its pomp, ahead of luminaries such as teammate Rahul Dravid and West Indian genius Brian Lara.
In recent times, when Australia tried to frustrate him into mistakes by bowling a ‘dry line’ outside off-stump, Tendulkar became ornery, his concentration unmatched as he patiently outlasted the bowling attacks before plundering them as they tired. He faced 436 balls in compiling the 241 not out that was the cornerstone of India’s 7-705(dec) in 2004.
Tendulkar averages more in Australia (58.53) than at home against the Aussies in India (53.30), showing how determined he has been to conquer the former champs. At the SCG (Sachin Cricket Ground), he averages 221.33! He has only been dismissed three times from seven innings on the ground.
Now that Australia is no longer the world’s leading team, and possesses an attack consisting of raw kids and journeymen, it remains to be seen if he will perform to the same level. He scored only 273 runs at an average of 34.12 on India’s tour of world’s best England this winter, with a top score of 91.
However, given his stellar record down under, it would be a foolhardy fan to bet against the Little Master plundering the Aussies yet again.
Mastering Australia: Four of Sachin’s Sensational Innings in Australia
114 of 272 at Perth, February 1992
India had already lost the series, and the pitch was its traditional pacy, bouncy self, unfriendly to sub-continental batsmen. India began to collapse while Sachin as at the crease, crumbling to 8-159. His response? He scores 118 of the next 140 runs, in breathtaking fashion, with 16 boundaries.
241 not out of 7/705 at Sydney, January 2004
Yes, it was a flat wicket. But Tendulkar and VVS Laxman’s 353-run partnership, the cornerstone of India’s massive 7/705 declared, was a humiliating statement of how weak Australia is without its superstar frontline attack of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. After scores of 1, 37, 0 and 44 in the series, and, by his standards, a relatively lean year, Tendulkar put away his cover drive. “I would put this innings right at the top of my hundreds. I had a plan and I am happy I could execute it well. I am happy that I was able to maintain the discipline throughout the innings.” Safe to say the plan worked – Tendulkar remained unbeaten after facing 436 deliveries. In a drawn series (1-1 after four Tests) Tendulkar’s innings was one of the unheralded turning points in the Australian/India rivalry, the hosts only just scrambling out of the match with the series level.
154 not out of 532 at Sydney, January 2008
Again, Tendulkar showed a capacity to change gears as the game dictated. After grafting his way to 67, the decline of the middle order left India 118 runs behind Australia’s first innings of 463. Batting with tailenders not known for their resilience. Tendulkar took charge. By the time Tendulkar ran out of partners, India led by 69 runs, and a controversial Test had swung the way of the visitors. At the end of this innings, his average on the SCG was 326!
116 of 235 at Melbourne, December 1999
India was 2/11 chasing Australia’s first innings of 405 when the Little Master took guard for the first time. While he was at the crease, they slumped to 8/169. With McGrath at his vicious best, Brett Lee at his quickest, and Shane Warne probing away on his home ground, no other Indian batsman looked at ease, class players such as VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid falling cheaply, and the second top scorer, Sourav Ganguly, tallying just 31. But Tendulkar withstood a bouncer barrage, and made a mockery of his teams’ terrors, playing shots to all parts of the ground, and depositing Warne into the grandstand in an audacious, defiant display of virtuosity. It was the sort of brave, skilful, irresistible batting many Australians secretly hope he can repeat in the Boxing Day Test 13 years on.
Courtesy : Sydney Morning
