5 Times when pre-match sledging backfired spectacularly in Cricket

#2 Andrew Caddick riling up Sachin Tendulkar before 2003 World Cup group match

Sachin blasting Caddick out of Durban!

What was a routine build up to a World Cup group match, suddenly picked up hype and steam after a fast bowler took a dig at the best batsman of the opposition side. India were scheduled to take on England in a group match in the 2003 world cup, and Andrew Caddick treated us to this stunning assessment of Sachin Tendulkar:

"Sachin is just like another batsman in the Indian team, and there are a lot others in the Indian side."

Not many bowlers dare to launch a verbal dig on the Master Blaster, but then not many bowlers were as outspoken as Andrew Caddick. Tendulkar didn't make a comment on this. But who was to rule out a Sachin special in the match that followed?

Essaying a stunning repertoire of cover drives, on drives and straight drives, Tendulkar had Caddick on his haunches sooner than he would have imagined! But the shot of the day was a murderous pull off the backfoot, which sent the ball soaring out of the ground! That iconic shot is considered as one of Tendulkar's career-best shots, and to this day is a YouTube favourite of adoring fans around the world.

Needless to say, Caddick didn't needle Tendulkar after that match!