Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's Test hundreds: Centuries 21-25

Sachin Tendulkar is one of the few batsmen who managed to conquer a wide variety of conditions. He took on the very best of bowling attacks and came out with flying colours. Undoubtedly, Tendulkar is the one of the greatest batsmen to ever grace the game.

While he scored 49 hundreds in ODIs, Tendulkar amassed 51 centuries in a glorious career spanning 24 years. The manner in which he dominated opposition bowlers made him a rage among Indian cricket supporters. Let us relive his 21st to 25th Test centuries.

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#5: 21st Century – 217 against New Zealand at Ahmedabad, 1999

Leading 1-0 in the 3-match Test series, India won the toss and batted first at the Motera which and were tenderly placed at 102/2. They needed to make the most of the batting conditions on offer. Skipper Tendulkar walked in at number four after the hosts lost Rahul Dravid for 33.

The master made full use of the good batting condition as he scored a majestic 217. He forged a couple of important partnerships which took the game away from the Blackcaps. First an 80-run stand for the third wicket with Sadagoppan Ramesh (who scored 110) and then a match-defining one - 281 for the fourth wicket with Sourav Ganguly (who scored 125).

Tendulkar played a sublime innings where he was a bit lucky in the 90s but managed to get through the tough period and capitalize later. He batted for more than 8 hours and took India to a position of strength as his 217 helped them post 583 (their highest first innings total against New Zealand).

Though the Test match ended in a draw, Tendulkar was awarded the Man of the Match. This was also Tendulkar’s first double ton.

#4: 22nd Century – 116 against Australia at Melbourne, 1999

Tendulkar was the only batsman who looked comfortable in the middle.

In December 1999, India toured Australia after eight years. Australia can be a tough place to tour as India found out in 1991/92.

Tendulkar in his first tour down under was a star as he scored a couple of fantastic hundreds (148* at the SCG and 114 at the WACA). But this time, he was the captain and India were in seek of their maiden Test series win on Australian soil. Sachin started the series with a 61 and a duck in the first Test (which India lost).

In the second Test, India won the toss and opted to bowl first in overcast conditions. The Aussies dominated as Slater (91), Ponting (67) and Gilchrist (78) struck fifties and along with some notable lower-order contributions from Lee and Fleming helped the hosts post 405.

In the first Test, the Indian batsmen had failed miserably as they could only manage 395 runs across the two innings. Thus, the onus was on the batsmen to stand-up and deliver. However, a similar pattern seemed to follow even at the MCG in reply to the hosts’ 405.

Captain Tendulkar walked out to bat with India in deep trouble at 11/2 in the 7th over. He weathered the early storm and then found ways to score crucial runs and counter the pace trio of McGrath, Fleming and Lee along with Warne.

Tendulkar was one Indian batsman who looked settled as all other batsmen fell like a pack of cards as India were bundled out for 238. The 116 that India’s skipper scored was a standout mainly because India’s next best score was 31 in that innings.

In the second essay as well, Tendulkar top-scored with 52 as India lost by 180 runs. Even though India lost the game, their skipper was awarded the Man of the Match as he was the only centurion of the match.

#3: 23rd Century – 122 against Zimbabwe at Delhi, 2000

Tendulkar gets into position to play the sweep shot

In 2000, it was the first instance that India were playing Zimbabwe for a series which consisted of more than one Test. And the Zimbabweans had a couple of very good practice games. Hence, they seemed confident.

At the Feroz Shah Kotla, Heath Streak won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. However, the top order didn’t utilize the good batting conditions as they were reduced to 155/5. But along with vital support from the lower-order, Andy Flower produced a magical innings as he stroked his way to an unbeaten 183. His knock of 183 ensured Zimbabwe posted 422.

In reply, India were also off to a solid start at 134/2 when Tendulkar joined Dravid. The hosts needed to capitalize on the good start they got. The reliable duo did exactly that. Dravid scored a magnificent 200 and Tendulkar played the supporting role.

India’s premier batsman scored a wonderful 122 to set up the innings as India reached 458 when they declared. India went on to bowl Zimbabwe out for 225 in the second essay. Chasing a tricky target of 190, Tendulkar came in at 15/2 and calmed the nerves with a run-a-ball 39 before getting out. Eventually, India won the game by 7 wickets.

#2: 24th Century – 201* against Zimbabwe at Nagpur, 2000

Tendulkar scored back-to-back tons in the series against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe had shown a lot of character and fight in the first Test that they lost by 7 wickets. In the second Test, India batted first after winning the toss and their top 3 batsmen made full use of the toss advantage.

India were in a strong position (227/2) when Tendulkar walked out to bat. India needed to consolidate their position of strength and post a big score. As soon as the little master came in to bat, the runs started flowing at a fair clip. He scored a pretty quick double ton. He scored an unbeaten 201 off just 281 balls to help India declare at a mammoth total of 609. This was the master’s second double ton.

After a 213-run stand in the first Test, Sachin and Dravid continued their solid partnership as they combined to form another 200+ stand (249) to deflate the Zimbabwean bowlers. However, this didn’t turn out to be in a winning cause as Andy Flower scored a majestic unbeaten 232 to help the tourists eke out with a draw.

#1: 25th Century – 126 against Australia at Chennai, 2001

Tendulkar has a very good record at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai

There’s no doubt that the 2001 Border-Gavaskar series was a series of comebacks, especially for the Indians. The 2nd Test saw a dramatic turnaround. Laxman and Dravid batted like champions to save India from defeat and then Harbhajan bowling India to victory to make the series 1-1.

Moving into the decider in Chennai, both teams were in with a chance. Tendulkar hadn’t scored runs in his last two innings (scored 10 and 10 after twin fifties in the first game of the series). Australia won a crucial toss at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and batted first. On the back of a magnificent 203 from Hayden, the Aussies posted 391.

Extra Cover: Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2001 - The series which re-established Indian cricket

India, in reply, made a strong start with SS Das and Ramesh forging a 123-run opening stand. And another good stand between Das and Laxman took India to 211/2 when Tendulkar walked out to bat. India were moving along steadily at that point in time.

But Tendulkar’s presence in the middle changed everything. He was busy at the crease, working the ball like a master and putting the loose balls away. The way he countered the likes of McGrath, Gillespie and Warne was outstanding. Along with Dravid, he constructed a wonderful 169-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take India into the lead.

Tendulkar scored a majestic 126, his 25th Test ton. His knock provided India a handy lead which eventually helped them win the game and the series.