Sachin Tendulkar Farewell Special: 5 most memorable test innings

On 16th November 2013, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar retired from international arena in what was perhaps the most memorable farewell ever in cricket history.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 100 hundreds in international cricket and has given many memories to legions of cricket fans in the process.

Here are the best Test innings he has ever played in his 24-years of international cricket.

#5 119* vs England at Manchester, 1990

India chasing 408 runs in 88 overs were in a spot of bother when Sachin came out to bat at no 6, and they needed something special from him to save the Test. India were at 183/6, with more than 2 hours of play left, and it was an uphill task for 17-year-old Sachin.

He was lucky early in his innings, when Eddie Hemmings dropped him at 10.

Tendulkar played the innings of his life to score his maiden century. His unbeaten 119 with Manoj Prabhakar saved India from certain defeat. People recognized at that point that he was no ordinary player and from then, he was already being spoken of as a legend in the making.

Richie Benaud in the commentary box called it 'an innings of temperament, skill and delightful stroke play.'

#4 114 vs Australia at Perth, 1992

Sachin scored sublime 114 runs on fast and bouncy track of Perth

For any international cricketer, an Australia tour is considered to be one of the toughest. The Australian media, fans and players come hard at the opposition team and put lot of pressure on them even before the first ball is being bowled.

But all these things did not distract a young Sachin, and he looked in sublime touch throughout the series.

Having scored century in the Sydney Test, he was already making headlines and continued his form in Perth. When India came to the final Test at Perth, it was once again Sachin who was the star, albeit in a lost cause.

For almost 4 hours, Sachin held at bay four Australian pacers on a WACA wicket that was considered the fastest and bounciest wicket in the world. The ball was whistling past his ears, but he paid no heed to the sound, or to the sledging of the Aussies, as he scored 114 runs which was a special innings in many ways.

Though India lost the series, in Sachin they found a shinning star and displayed great technique and power that screamed for attention.

#3 136 vs Pakistan at Chennai, 1999

Sachin was playing through the pain and almost took India to win with single-handed performance

India and Pakistan were playing a Test series in India, and it turned out to be one of the most competitive series to have ever played. The Chennai ton was one of Sachin's best ever. It came on a devilish Chepauk pitch with Pakistan setting India a target of 271 in the fourth innings.

India while chasing the target had lost half the side, and were struggling at 82/5. With Waqar and Akram were bowling at their best and Saqlain too in good form, things looked very difficult for India. Adding to their woes, Sachin was battling back pain and looked in very bad shape.

In spite of all the pain he was going through, Sachin continued and stitched a fine partnership with Nayan Mongia, taking India to 218/5. After losing Mongia, the Little Master started attacking and took India to 254/6. With 17 runs more needed for a sensational win that seemed so near, Sachin made his only mistake and lost his wicket to Saqlain while sweeping.

Pakistan then wrapped up the remaining wickets and diminished all hopes of India's victory. Sachin was in tears in the dressing room, and was mentally shattered. He was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant 136, but did not receive the award in person, as he was in no state, physically or mentally, to leave the dressing room.

#2 103* vs England at Chennai, 2008

Sachin scored a match winning century in the fourth innings

Sachin's love affair with Chepauk continued as he scored an unbeaten century in fourth innings while chasing. England had set target of 387, which would be the highest successful fourth-innings chase in the subcontinent.

India were desperately in need of a good start. Sehwag turned on the heat and scored 83 off 68 balls. The match was evenly poised at 221/4, both Sachin and Yuvraj guided India to an emphatic win over England. Together they put on a 167 run partnership, with Yuvraj scoring 85 runs. Sachin scored 103 off 196 deliveries, which displayed great maturity and patience.

This knock was special in many ways, as he led India in a successful run-chase in the fourth innings and what was more, he dedicated this victory to the victims of the terrorist attack in Mumbai.

#1 241* vs Australia at Sydney, 2004

Sachin bounced back with unbeaten double century after string of low scores in the tour

Before this Test match, Sachin was under immense pressure as he failed to score big in the first 3 Tests against Australia. It was his off-side play that was giving him trouble and he decided he wouldn't drive on the off-side.

Sachin had a brief discussion with his elder brother Ajit about his technique and made a decision to change his play.

He took up the challenge and decided to play a waiting game. He was very determined not to get out, to remain unbeaten till the very end. In more than 10 hours at the crease, he did not play a single cover drive.

It was an innings of extreme discipline as Sachin set about gathering runs. He faced 436 balls and ended with 241 runs with 33 boundaries and was unbeaten when India declared after scoring 705 runs.

This innings of Sachin showed why he is considered the greatest cricketer - and it showed that runs can be scored in difficult situations, if there is a willingness to adapt your own natural game.