3 Indian Cricketers who did a Tamim Iqbal

Sachin Tendulkar - India vs Pakistan at Chennai in 1999

Sachin reserved his best for Chennai

In the Chennai Test against Pakistan, India were set a target of 271 runs to win. Pakistan had Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq in their ranks. Tendulkar walked out to the middle with India tottering at 6 for 2. Waqar removed both the openers. Tendulkar was out for a duck in the first innings.

India were soon reduced to 82 for 5 and their only hope of winning the match was Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar was at that stage on 44. Nayan Mongia joined Sachin Tendulkar for the sixth wicket. Sachin Tendulkar was battling through a back spasm which restricted his movements at the crease.

Braving his back injury and pain, Tendulkar treated Wasim, Waqar, and Mushtag to disdain as he reached his 50 in style. At the other end, Mongia was extending his support. India went past 150. Tendulkar was on 83 when his lower back gave away. He was on the ground receiving treatment and painkillers. He was determined to take India home.

Braving the agony, Tendulkar got up to bat. He set his eyes on Saqlain Mushtaq and hit him for 4 fours in one over. Tendulkar duly completed his hundred. Pakistan took the new ball immediately it became due. Runs started flowing with the arrival of the new ball. Mongia got into the act and completed his 50. However, Mongia got carried away after completing his half-century and got out to Akram. India needed 53 runs to win at that stage.

Tendulkar at the other end, though not struggling for runs, was struggling with a back spasm. The back was bothering Tendulkar yet again as he thought of finishing the match in a hurry. In that attempt, Sachin hit Saqlain Mushtaq for 3 fours in one over.

At the other end, Sunil Joshi smacked Saqlain over long-on for a huge six. Now 17 runs were required with 4 wickets in hand. Then the unthinkable happened. Tendulkar, hampered by back spasm, reached out to a doosra from Saqlain Mushtaq. His restricted movement led to the ball taking a leading edge and Akram latched on to it.

Saqlain Mushtaq had taken the most important wicket of his career. Sachin was crestfallen as he walked slowly back to the pavilion clutching his back to the standing ovation of the crowd. It was one of the greatest innings played by the little master under immense pain and distress. To rub salt to Tendulkar’s injury, India lost the match by 12 runs.

The Chennai Test will be remembered for Tendulkar’s brave innings in adversity and the sporting act of the Chennai crowd cheering the victorious Pakistan team leaving aside their disappointment.

Cricket has shown another side of human nature when cricketers showed tremendous courage by braving horrific injuries to resume playing a match for their team and country.

Hats off to such brave cricketers like Tamim Iqbal.