OTD 1998: Sachin Tendulkar Chennai masterclass deflated Australia

In March 1998, Australia toured India to play a three-match Test series followed by an ODI tri-series. The Test series turned out to be a blockbuster affair. It was set up wonderfully by a riveting first Test at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The highly-anticipated series opener saw the Test debut of Gavin Robertson from Australia and Harvinder Singh from India.

Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss and opted to bat first. Nayan Mongia and Navjot Singh Sidhu batted brilliantly upfront as their opening stand yielded 122 runs. However, the openers departed in consecutive overs after scoring half-centuries. Rahul Dravid batted with a sedate approach and scored 52 off 169 balls. However, the rest of the batters couldn’t make much of an impression. Azharuddin and Anil Kumble scored 26 and 30 runs, respectively. The rest of the batters couldn’t get into double figures. 

Legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne and debutant Robertson exploited the spin-friendly conditions wisely and finished with four wickets apiece. India were dismissed for 257 in 104.2 overs.

In reply, Mark Waugh played a gritty knock, scoring 66 off 130 balls. However, the rest of the batting line-up couldn’t live up to their potential. Australia were reeling at 201/8 at one stage. However, Ian Healy and Gavin Robertson stitched a defiant 96-run stand for the ninth wicket and took them close to the 300-run mark. After Healy was dismissed for 90, Robertson added 31 runs with Michael Kasprowicz before Austrlaia were dismissed for 328.

Trailing by 71 runs, India needed a strong effort in their second innings. Sidhu and Dravid scored half-centuries once again. Azharuddin also chipped in with a crucial 64 off 89 balls. However, the star of the show was Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster showed his prowess against spin-bowling and didn’t allow Warne to dominate on a challenging surface. He finished with an unbeaten knock of 155 runs off just 191 balls, hitting 14 fours and four sixes. The Mumbai batter had a strike rate of 81.15. India eventually declared at 418/4 in 107 overs.

Chasing a 348-run target, Australia found the Indian spinners too hot to handle as Anil Kumble and Venkatapathy Raju starred with four and three scalps each. The tourists were bowled out for 168 as India won by 179 runs. Tendulkar was fitting adjudged Player of the Match for his epic knock under pressure.

India carried the momentum into the second Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and won it by an innings and 219 runs. Australia emerged victorious in the third Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru but that was only a consolation win, as India took the series 2-1. Tendulkar won the Player of the Series award.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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