5 best overseas Test knocks by Sachin Tendulkar

#2. 122 v England, Birmingham (1996)

Birmingham was famous for producing pitches that would be a treat for the fast bowlers. The batsmen had to restrict their shots on these seaming pitches. This was the first Test of India’s tour to England 1996 and skipper Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss and elected to bat first. The Englishmen bundled the Indians out for a modest 214.

In reply to India’s 214, the English batsmen scored 313, gaining a 99-run-lead. India’s horrific second innings began as they lost four wickets at the score of 36. Tendulkar was standing alone at the other end thinking of a batsman who could show some resilience to pile up runs alongside him. He was stranded but he single-handedly guided his side to 219.

Tendulkar piled up 122 off 177 deliveries, hitting 19 fours and a six. No other batsman could contribute much to the total as the second highest scorer of the innings was Sanjay Manjrekar who scored 18 runs. England chased down 121 easily to take an early lead in the series.

This is considered to be one of the best overseas hundred that the Master Blaster scored. The brilliance of this innings can be seen from the difference between the first and the second highest run scorer of the innings.