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

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.