#4 143 (131) at Sharjah, 22 April 1998
India needed a win or a close loss against Australia to qualify for the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah, 1998. Australia batted first and scored a huge score of 284 courtesy a brilliant century from Michael Bevan.
India were in a desperate situation and Sachin came to their rescue. Sachin came out with an intent to pulverize the Australian bowling and nobody from the opposition could escape his ire. A sandstorm disrupted play for awhile and India needed 236 in 46 overs to qualify for the finals. The first ball after the break was sent out of the ground by the ‘Little Master’ and was a key moment in his famous innings, fondly known as the ’desert storm’. When Sachin got out on 143, which included 9 fours and 5 sixes after smashing every Australian bowler, India had already reached 242 and qualified for the finals.
Though India didn't win the match, the goal of qualifying for the finals was accomplished. It was a brilliant innings by the genius who single-handedly destroyed the mighty Australians.
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