The 2003 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Centurion is etched in the memory of every cricket fan. This was not just another match; it was a clash of titans, a battle of cricketing supremacy. The tension was palpable, the atmosphere electric.
Pakistan, boasting a formidable bowling attack led by Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and the fiery Shoaib Akhtar, had set a challenging target of 273 for 7. Akhtar, in particular, had declared his intent to dismantle the Indian batting order, which included the formidable duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
However, Tendulkar had other plans. In a display of sheer aggression and focus, he launched an attack on Akhtar right from the outset. He smashed 18 runs off Akhtar’s opening over, ending it with a flurry of boundaries. This was Tendulkar at his best, a whirlwind of power and precision. He went on to score a magnificent 98 runs off just 75 balls, an innings that he still considers his finest in ODIs.
The intensity of the match was evident even in the small details. When Tendulkar started cramping towards the latter part of his innings, Virender Sehwag volunteered to be his runner. He recalled that Shahid Afridi kept taunting Tendulkar, but the master batsman remained unfazed, his focus unwavering.
One shot in particular, a six off Akhtar in the second over of the chase, remains a highlight of this iconic encounter. It was an uppercut that sailed into the crowd, sending the Indian fans into raptures. Tendulkar himself described the shot as instinctive, a moment of brilliance that came from seeing an opportunity and seizing it.
While Akhtar got his revenge later in the match, dismissing Tendulkar two runs short of a century, it was India’s day. Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid steered India home with a composed partnership, securing a famous six-wicket victory.
Sachin Tendulkar’s 98 was not just about the runs; it was about the mental fortitude, the ability to rise above the pressure and the opposition’s taunts, and deliver a performance that would be remembered for years to come. It was a testament to the legend’s indomitable spirit and his unwavering focus on the task at hand.
