143 vs. Australia (1998 Coco cola cup, Sharjah)
The Australians proposed this match, and our master decided. Our favourite knock of all time is this one. India was under pressure to advance to the championship game. We recall that India needed to score 260 or so runs in 46 overs in order to get to the finals. Ganguly left before time. But Sachin, who had been promoted up the ranks, went on the rampage in the company of Mongia. In the game, Sachin hit seven sixes, turning him into Kasprowicz’s biggest nightmare. Sachin successfully led us across the threshold. But it could stop India from loss due to the umpire’s incorrect judgement to rule him out after the ball clearly missed off stump.
98 vs. Pakistan (2003 world cup)
Sachin played a terrific inning. With a goal of 273 to reach, Sachin and Sehwag launched a flyer, quickly putting Pakistan on the back foot. India was scoring 10 points or more. Shoaib Akhtar received treatment from Sachin that no one else would have dared to. He scored 18 runs off Akhtar’s opening over, which featured two boundaries and a stunning easy six over third man. Sachin was dropped on 8, but he still managed to hit 98 runs, missing a century for the second time in the series. He collapsed from cramps, and an akhtar bouncer ended his prospects of getting a century. A man who scarcely understands the meaning of the phrase “give up” made a genuine effort.
134 vs. Australia (1998 Coco Cola cup Final)
This was classic Tendulkar at his very finest. His 24th birthday was that day. He gave his followers, the Indian squad, and Indian fans a tough century and the Coca-Cola trophy. He confronted the bowlers and made sure nobody sat down. He would hit some iconic sixes during this game, including one-off Shane Warne, who had come around the wickets to calm the raging beast. However, the master would just go out and smack a thunderous six over far off. It was a brave and valiant inning.