Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's ODI centuries (41 to 45)

Sachin Tendulkar is one of the most famous names in India. For large parts of his 24-year cricket career, he carried the burden of the Indian team, often the lone warrior of the team. He was by far one of the best ODI batsmen of his era and his records justify that. 18426 runs in 463 games at an average of 44.83 including a staggering 49 One-Day International hundreds to add to his 51 Test centuries.

Tendulkar made his ODI debut in 1989 but scored his first ODI ton only in 1994. But since that year, he has scored an ODI hundred every year thereafter. And by the time he retired from the 50-over format in December 2012 (though he played his last ODI in March 2012), he ended up with a record 49 ODI hundreds.

Thus, we continue to look back at his ODI centuries and here we relive centuries 41 to 45.

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Century No. 41 – 100* vs West Indies (Vadodara – January 2007)

The preparations for the 2007 World Cup were in full flow when West Indies toured India for a 4-match ODI series. After a couple of close wins, India lost the third ODI. The series was still alive when the teams moved to Vadodara for the fourth and final ODI.

Sachin Tendulkar (on Greg Chappell’s suggestion) had started batting at No. 4 keeping the World Cup plans in mind. India got a solid start as the openers – Sourav Ganguly and Robin Uthappa and then skipper Rahul Dravid took India to 148/2 at the halfway mark. That was the time Tendulkar strode out to the centre.

He continued the momentum created in the first half as he picked the gaps, ran hard between the wickets and got the boundaries as and when the opportunity came. He was dropped twice in his innings, once on 85 and then on 91 but he made full use of those chances to reach his 41st ODI ton. His 76-ball 100 (10 fours and 1 six) took India to 341/3 in their 50 overs.

The master formed a couple of important partnerships through the innings. First, with Dravid for the third wicket – 116 and then with MS Dhoni – 75 (in 39 balls). This was also Tendulkar’s first century since November 2003 that came in a winning cause.

Century No. 42 – 117* vs Australia (Sydney – March 2008)

Before 2008, Sachin Tendulkar had played 30 ODI innings in Australia and hadn’t scored an ODI century there. His lean patch continued in the 2008 CB series as he scored only one fifty in 8 matches (63 in the final group stage game).

In the final, The Master stood up when it mattered the most. After the Indian bowlers had done an excellent job of restricting the favorites Australia to 239, India got off to a good start. Openers Tendulkar and Uthappa put up a 50-run opening stand. However, wickets at regular intervals pegged India back as they found themselves at 89/3 in the 19th over.

Tendulkar was looking good but needed someone to support him at the other end. A 20-year old Rohit Sharma joined the master in the middle and supported him well. However, it was Tendulkar who batted right through and saw India home. His footwork was outstanding and he was severe on anything loose.

Tendulkar’s innings of 117 (in 120 balls) helped him break the jinx in Australia and it also helped India beat Australia in Sydney after 11 ODI games.

Century No. 43 – 163* vs New Zealand (Christchurch – March 2009)

In 2009, India toured New Zealand for the first time since 2002. And the year 2009 was not off to a great start for Sachin Tendulkar. He had scores of 5, 6 and 7 before India left for New Zealand. He failed once again in the first game as he managed only 20, but he looked good in the second game (which was washed out).

Trailing 1-0 in the series, New Zealand opted to field first and were off to a good start as they removed dangerman Virender Sehwag early. But that didn’t put Tendulkar off. He took his time early on and then counter-attacked to put the Kiwi bowlers under pressure.

The way he batted was a treat to watch. He forged a 148-run partnership with Yuvraj Singh for the third wicket and then 135-run partnership for the fourth wicket with skipper MS Dhoni. Both Dhoni (68) and Yuvraj (87) complemented Tendulkar very well.

The way Tendulkar was going, not only was Saeed Anwar’s record (highest ODI score) was under threat, India’s premier batsman had the chance of becoming the first batsman to hit an ODI double hundred. But his cramping body gave up in the 45th over and Tendulkar had to retire on 163. The standout part of this innings was he never let the momentum shift even when he lost partners at the other end.

Hence, his 163 set up a great foundation for India as they finished with 392 in their 50 overs.

Century No. 44 – 138 vs Sri Lanka (Colombo – September 2009)

In 2008 and 2009, India had won 5 consecutive bilateral series’ and when they went to Sri Lanka for a tri-series involving Sri Lanka, New Zealand and India, they seemed the favourites. In the group stage, India won 1 and lost 1.

In the final, India opted to bat first after winning the toss. And Sachin Tendulkar once again hit his straps in a final as he stroked a majestic 138. It was his 43rd ODI ton and 6th in tournament finals.

During his 133-ball stay at the crease, Tendulkar hit 10 fours and a six. He formed three big partnerships – 95 with Dravid (39) for the first wicket, 110 with Dhoni (56) for the second and 71 with Yuvraj (56) for the third. The master’s efforts took India to a superb total of 320.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 273 and India clinched the Compaq Cup. Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the Man of the Match for his sublime innings of 138.

Century No. 45 – 175 vs Australia (Hyderabad – October 2009)

The first four matches (of the 7-match ODI series) of Australia’s tour of India were exciting games. The margin of defeat was less and after the first four games, the series was level at 2-2.

With the series poised evenly and Australia racking up a mammoth total of 350 in the fifth, the visitors were firm favourites to take the lead. However, Sachin Tendulkar decided to torment the Aussies (once again). India started well with Sachin and Sehwag going after the Aussie bowlers (66-run opening stand). But wickets at regular intervals reduced India to 162/4 in the 24th over and 189 runs were still required in about 26 overs. Sachin was going very well at one end.

That was the time when Suresh Raina joined hands with Tendulkar and supported him perfectly. The latter was the aggressor as he took the attack to the Aussie bowlers. He kept up with the required rate and he never seemed to be in any sort of pressure throughout the chase. He counter-attacked but never took any undue risks and played conventional cricket shots and put the Australian bowlers under pressure.

Wickets kept falling around him, but he remained unruffled and continued from his end. He eventually brought the equation down to 19 off 18. But he fell while attempting a paddle-scoop. With only 19 to get, the lower order couldn’t cope up with the pressure as they fell short by 3 runs as Tendulkar and the whole of India were left heart-broken.