5 worst defeats for Sachin Tendulkar in Tests

Tejas V
Sachin Tendulkar
Tendulkar had to endure quite a few painful defeats in his Test career

Undoubtedly, Sachin Tendulkar was a class apart from the vast majority of the cricketers during his memorable career at the highest level. He is the only player in the history of the game to score 50 or more centuries in Tests.

The great Sir Donald Bradman once said that he saw himself in Tendulkar. Through sheer weight of runs, the legendary Indian batsmen was one of the very few who constantly drew comparisons to the iconic Australian.

Also Read: 5 worst defeats for Sachin Tendulkar in ODIs

With an average of 53.78 in Tests and a stellar record against every nation he faced, Tendulkar is the master of the ultimate format. Nevertheless, he also had to endure a few bitter memories during his Test career.

Now let us look at 5 worst defeats in the otherwise illustrious Test career of Tendulkar.


#5 Against South Africa, Durban (1996)

It was the first Test of the series and South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. The Indian seamers were on the roll and restricted the Proteas to 235.

In reply, India had a disastrous inning. They were bundled out for 100 with skipper Tendulkar's 15 being the second highest score. South Africa again managed a 250-odd score to set a target of 395.

Victory was a distant thought but the display in the second innings is the lowest-ever total for India in the Test format. They managed a mere 66 and lost the match by a massive 328 runs. Unfortunately, it came under the captaincy of Tendulkar.

Perhaps it was one of the most embarrassing matches to be a captain of the side.

#4 Against West Indies, Barbados (1997)

Sachin Tendulkar
Captaincy posed a tricky challenge for Tendulkar

It was the third Test of the series and Tendulkar chose to field and the decision was substantial as West Indies were dismissed for 298. In response, the Master Blaster stood tall and scored a gutsy 92 to give India a small lead.

In the second innings, Tendulkar's bowlers were on fire and wrapped up the West Indians for a paltry 140. The target was 120 and it looked like a cherry pie. Well, the fourth innings saw the West Indian bowlers bowl the spell of their lives and India unimaginably fell short by 39 runs.

The manner of the defeat was extremely jarring as Tendulkar has revealed that he considered quitting the captaincy post after this fixture.

#3 Against Pakistan, Chennai (1999)

Tendulkar's wicket paved way for Pakistan to win the game easily. Image Credit: India TV
Tendulkar's wicket paved the way for Pakistan to clinch a thrilling contest

It is the first Test match of a pulsating series and Pakistan who batted first were dismissed for a modest 238 in the first outing. In reply, Tendulkar returned to the pavilion with a duck as India made 254 runs.

Pakistan set a target of 271 in the fourth innings and skipper Tendulkar who walked in at No.4 played one of the most elegant knocks of his career as he amassed 136 runs.

Just when the Indians were smelling the win at 254 for 6, Tendulkar was dismissed off Saqlain Mushtaq's delivery as he tried to hoist it over mid-wicket. The tail was curtailed for just 4 runs and the rest is history as Pakistan won the game by 12 runs.

#2 Against Australia, Nagpur (2004)

Tendulkar was McGrath's bunny yet again.
Tendulkar succumbed to the mastery of Glenn McGrath

Australia were one of the most feared teams during the early to mid 2000s. The Nagpur Test was the third of the four-match series in 2004 and India were trailing 1-0.

Aussies posted a massive 398 in the first innings. In reply, India just managed 185. With a lead of 213 in the bag, Australia added another 329 runs before declaring and challenging India with a humongous target of 543.

The match finished with the Aussies conquering their final frontier by winning the match by a massive 342 runs - highest margin of victory against India for any team till date. This goes down as one of Tendulkar's worst defeats as he aggregated only 10 runs - the least for any batsman in that particular Test.

#1 Against Australia, Sydney (2008)

Sachin Tendulkar
Tendulkar was castled by Stuart Clark in the second innings

Australia had won the first Test by a massive 337 runs and scored a superb 463 in the first innings of the second Test.

However, Australia's position in the series was threatened by Tendulkar. He scored an unbeaten 154 as India ended with a good lead of 69 runs. The knock included 14 boundaries and one massive six.

In the second innings, however, the Indian bowler gave their best performance of the series as they wound up the Aussies for 210 and the target of 333 was set for India to level the series.

Surprisingly, a series of controversial umpiring decisions derailed the chase and what should have been one-all in the series, turned out to be two-zero. A valiant ton to help India achieve a lead went in vain.

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Edited by Ram Kumar