Moments of madness: 5 shots that the batsmen wished they never played

Sachin Tendulkar’s lofted drive – India vs Pakistan, Chennai Test, 1999

The Tendulkar epic at Chennai

This was an epic that ended in complete Greek tragedy. This innings against Pakistan was a tale of pain, determination, class and tears. It was perhaps one of the greatest Test innings ever played, yet it ended up as one of the saddest days in both Indian cricket and the remarkable career of Sachin Tendulkar.

India needed 271 to win the historic battle, but they had to go past the terrific trio of Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq to achieve it.

India, as usual, lost their openers cheaply to Waqar when Tendulkar walked in. With India stranded on 6/2, the master began his crusade. If Waqar steamed in from one end, Akram breathed fire at the other. On the last day, India was tottering at 86 for five at lunch with Tendulkar on 44. The nation prayed for a draw because winning looked way beyond the reach.

However, it all changed when Tendulkar decided put his foot down on the pedal after lunch. He dispatched Saqlain to the point boundary and then steered Akram to third man. With able support from Nayan Mongia, Tendulkar took the attack to the Pakistanis in one of the most gruesome Test battles ever seen.

The Pakistanis threw everything at him, but Tendulkar fought on with bouts of back spasm. However, after losing Mongia, the spasms took control of his lower back and Tendulkar wanted to chase down the target in a hurry.

A crisp cover drive saw Akram thud into the cover fence and with 25 runs left, Tendulkar chose Saqlain Mushtaq for one final showdown.

Tendulkar paddle swept the first ball, but Ijaz Ahmed, standing at first slip, moved in a flash to the leg side to deny him a boundary. It didn’t matter because the next ball saw Tendulkar step out and hammer the ball straight over the bowler’s head.

As soon as he finished the stroke, he bent down in pain because the follow through of the bat strained his back further. Undeterred by pain, he stood up, took guard, rocked back and deposited the next ball to the mid wicket fence.

That four brought the target down to 17, and then the moment of madness arrived. Saqlain floated up the doosra, Tendulkar did not pick it but still reached out to lift it over the bowler. The ball skied off leading edge, and Akram pouched safely at mid off.

The Pakistanis broke into celebration as the master walked back crestfallen. The “knowledgeable” Chennai crowd applauded a herculean effort that showcased class, technique and grit. But then again, only if he hadn’t played that shot!