5 most famous encounters between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne

Cricket may be called a gentleman’s game but it always has its fair share of rivalries on the field. Sometimes those rivalries remain competitive in nature and sometimes they turn into heated arguments that are often carried out off the field. However, whenever legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne clashed head to head, it always produced a beautiful and competitive rivalry to witness.

Statistics suggest that it may not have been joyful for the Australian fans to witness such a rivalry as Warne has dismissed Tendulkar only 4 times in his 29 international encounters with him.

As the world knows, the ‘Master-Blaster’ had always been a superb player of spin and even a world-class spinner like Warne was not good enough to produce any sort trouble for the ‘God of Indian Cricket’. There have been a number of memorable encounters between the two and Tendulkar undoubtedly has been on top, most of the times. We shall have a look at five of those international encounters between the two legends that can truly be called a match in which the titans clashed.

#1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 1^st Test at Chennai, March 1998

It was the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy of the 1997/98 season and India were bowled out for a disappointing total of 257 batting first. Shane Warne had for the first time claimed Tendulkar’s wicket in his international career dismissing him for a mere four runs. Australia, however, could not make the most of the opportunity but managed a first innings lead of 71 runs.

What followed next was an absolute master-piece from Sachin Tendulkar as he smashed a 155* off just a 191 deliveries to take India’s total to 418/4 and thus setting a target of 348 runs for Australia to chase. Tendulkar smashed Warne to all parts of the ground smashing him for a flurry of boundaries and over-boundaries.

An inspirational bowling performance from the Indians folded Australia up for a paltry 168 runs thus giving the Indians an emphatic 179-run victory.

#2 Pepsi Triangular Series, 4th Match: India v Australia at Kanpur, Apr 7, 1998

It was the 4^th match of the Pepsi-Triangular Series of the 1998 season between India and Australia played at the Green Park in Kanpur. A disciplined bowling performance from India restricted Australia to a mere total of 222/9 in their 50 overs.

Chasing a target of 223, Sachin went on an assault as he made his way to a 100 off just 89 balls. Shane Warne ultimately was the one who accounted for his wicket.

However, by then India already had 175 runs on the board as Sourav Ganguly played second fiddle to Tendulkar having scored a fine knock of 72 runs off 104 deliveries. India won the match by 6 wickets and with 33 balls to spare as Tendulkar was adjudged the Man of the Match. Warne. meanwhile, finished with match figures of 1 for 43 in nine overs.

#3 India’s tour of Australia, 1st Test: Australia v India at Adelaide, Dec 10-14, 1999

It was again one of those away matches when India again faced a heavy defeat at the hands of the mighty Aussies. A 285-run victory for the Australians was star-studded with Warne’s-wicket haul in the first innings.

Sachin was one of his victims as he edged one to Justin Langer in the slips to be dismissed for a promising knock of 61 off 133 deliveries.

India managed only 285 runs in reply to Australia’s 1^st innings total of 441 runs. The visitors then collapsed for a paltry 110 runs to hand Australia a massive victory. Tendulkar was out for a duck in the second innings without facing Warne.

#4 India tour of Australia, 2nd Test: Australia v India at Melbourne, Dec 26-30, 1999

It was the second Test of the same series of 1999 and India faced yet another crushing defeat at the hands of the Australians by 180 runs. India managed 238 runs in their first innings in reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 405 runs courtesy. Sachin scored yet another century; a fine knock of 116 runs in that innings and he was seen at his best against Warne. However, other Indian batsmen couldn’t do much.

The same story followed in the second innings as it was only Sachin leading the way again. He was batting on 52 when Warne brought curtains down to his innings dismissing him LBW. India were bundled for 195 runs with Warne claiming just two wickets in the whole match that included the priced scalp of Tendulkar in the final innings. Tendulkar was adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’ even in a losing cause.

#5 Australia tour of India, 3rd ODI: India v Australia at Indore, Mar 31, 2001

It was one of those rare occasions when the Australian captain Steve Waugh had to regret his decision after winning the toss. Australia chose to field first and Tendulkar went on a rampage at Indore opening the innings alongside Rahul Dravid. He smashed a terrific 139 runs off 125 balls that was star-studded with 19 boundaries. Shane Warne was targeted heavily as he leaked 64 runs in his 10 overs without claiming any wicket.

The magician with the ball was seen without any clue of what to do on that day as the ‘Master Blaster’ became his nightmare again. Australia folded up for a paltry total of 181 runs after being set a target of 300 runs. Tendulkar was yet again adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’.