In his candid autobiography, “Playing It My Way,” cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar revealed a surprising detail about his performance during the 2003 ICC World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg. Battling an intense stomach ache, Tendulkar resorted to using tissue paper to manage the discomfort while he batted for a crucial 160 minutes.
Tendulkar attributed the stomach upset to an ill-advised attempt to aid his recovery from fatigue. He had added a teaspoon of salt to his energy drinks, hoping it would improve his performance, but it backfired, causing a painful upset stomach.
“The discomfort was so intense that I had to bat with tissues in my underwear. I even returned to the dressing room during one of the breaks, feeling very uncomfortable out in the middle,” Tendulkar shared in his autobiography.
Despite this physical ordeal, Tendulkar showcased his legendary resilience and determination, scoring a crucial 97 runs off 120 balls. His innings played a vital role in India’s 183-run victory over Sri Lanka, solidifying his position as a key player in the tournament. While Tendulkar’s performance was remarkable, the Man of the Match award went to Javagal Srinath for his impressive bowling figures of 9-1-35-4.
Tendulkar’s performance in this match was just one highlight of his exceptional performance throughout the tournament. He ended up as the highest run-scorer, amassing a total of 673 runs in 11 matches, averaging an impressive 61.18. He also recorded a century and 6 half-centuries, proving his dominance at the crease.
Tendulkar’s contributions were instrumental in taking India to the final of the ICC 2003 World Cup, held on March 23, 2003, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. However, in the final clash, they were defeated by a dominant Australian team led by Ricky Ponting. Australia posted a mammoth total of 359/2, with Ponting himself scoring an unbeaten 140 off 121 balls.
India’s chase faltered early, and they were bowled out for 234 in 39.2 overs. The Australian bowlers, led by Glenn McGrath who claimed 3 wickets, dismantled India’s batting lineup. Ultimately, Australia won by 125 runs, securing the coveted World Cup trophy.
