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On February 27, 1996, Sachin Tendulkar played a memorable World Cup innings against Australia, scoring 90 runs off 84 balls. Despite his efforts, India fell 16 runs short of the target.
On This Day In 1996:Tendulkar produced something so magical that it ‘gave nightmares’ to the legendary Shane Warne. (Image: Reuters)
On This Day In 1996: When the 1996 World Cup was played, 23-year-old Sachin Tendulkar had already established himself as the brightest batting prodigy in world cricket. He appeared to be so lethal that even an Australian bowling unit featuring the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming felt the terror.
Tendulkar played one of the memorable innings of his career in a World Cup game against the mighty Australia on this day (February 27) in 1996.
No, it was none of his hundred international centuries but a heroic 90 that might have practically gone in vain but the moment remains etched in the annals of cricket history. Tendulkar produced something so magical that it gave nightmares to the legendary Shane Warne. The Aussie spinner confessed to it at the end of the 1990s.
India were on a two-match winning streak when they met Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Mark Waugh gave Australia a blistering start. He scored 126 off 135 balls while his opener partner, captain Mark Taylor registered 59 runs.
Among the other Australian batters, only Stuart Law was able to breach the 20-run mark as they folded their innings with 258 runs. India put up a great fielding effort, logging as many as five run-outs. Venkatesh Prasad and Venkatapathy Raju each picked two wickets while Anil Kumble took one.
India lost one of their openers, Ajay Jadeja early during the chase. Vinod Kambli also returned with a two-ball duck while skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and Manoj Prabhakar managed 10 and three runs respectively. Apart from Sachin Tendulkar, Sanjay Manjrekar was the only standout batter for India who went three down at the score of only 70.
With wickets falling at the other end, Tendulkar launched a counterattack on the Australian bowling. He smashed ten runs in an over of Warne who conceded only 28 in his entire spell at an economy of 2.8.
Tendulkar completed his fifty in turbo mode but appeared more aggressive afterwards. He struck 90 off 84 balls before falling victim to Mark Waugh. His power-packed knock was laced with 14 boundaries and one six. Despite Tendulkar’s commendable efforts, India fell 16 runs short of the target.
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