Sachin Tendulkar at World Cups

It seems like yesterday when Sachin Tendulkar celebrated the 2011 World Cup victory like a kid delighted to see his mom return with the toy he wanted. The memories of Sachin carried on the shoulders of his teammates with the Indian flag in his hand still occupies our minds when we hear the words ‘World Cup’.Living up to his reputation as a big match player, Sachin has produced many magical performances in every World Cup he has played. Can you imagine a World Cup without Sachin? The 2015 edition will be the first since 1987 without Sachin Tendulkar.Let’s see how this flamboyant Mumbaikar grew in stature to become an all-time cricketing legend by looking at his performances at World Cups:

#1 1992 - Young and upbeat

Playing in his first World Cup in deadly, pacy, windy conditions. A shy and flamboyant 18-year-old boy was introduced to the cricketing world. Playing in the middle order, he managed to score 283 runs in 7 innings while maintaining a healthy average of 47.16.

His performance against arch-rivals Pakistan is fondly remembered as he scored an unbeaten 54 against a dangerous Pakistani bowling unit. India failed to qualify for the knock-out stage with the only consolation being in defeating Pakistan, the eventual champion, in a match where he also received his first man of the match in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

His free-flowing 81 against Zimbabwe and 84 runs against co-hosts New Zealand is worth mentioning.

Stats – Matches: 8; Runs: 283; Highest score: 84; Average: 47.16; 50s: 3

#2 1996 - Batting mainstay

Not sure how much or how little we grow in four years, but Sachin had grown into a batting mainstay for team India, from an 18-year-old kid who was still looking to stamp his authority in this lovely game of cricket. Opening for the first time in the World Cup, Sachin went on to score 523 runs at a staggering average of 87.17 runs in 7 outings. He scored his maiden cup hundred against Kenya apart from a fluent and dominating 137 against the Ranatunga-led Sri Lanka, who went to become World Champions.

I would rate his game changing and fluent 90 runs against the mighty Aussies at the top, with Sachin at the crease India were cruising towards victory until the master blaster stepped out to a wide delivery and got himself out, stumped in the process. He was the highest run getter in the tournament followed by Mark Waugh.

Stats – Matches: 7; Runs: 523; Hs: 137; Avg: 87.16; 100s: 2; 50s: 3

#3 1999 - Heavens and emotions

It was surely a cup filled with emotions for Sachin. The loss of his father in the middle of the World Cup meant that while he was very much a part of the tournament, the focus was understandably elsewhere. His unbeaten and powerful 140 against Kenya, where he tore into the Kenyan bowling attack and raced to his century in 84 balls. This blistering knock came immediately after he returned back from India after paying final respects to his beloved father.

The trademark celebration of looking into the heavens after a 100 started since then. Against arch-nemesis Pakistan, India posted a modest target of 227 with Sachin contributing 45 important runs.

Stats – Matches: 7; Runs: 253; Hs: 140*; Avg: 42.16; 100s: 1; 50s: 0

#4 2003 - Cometh the hour, cometh the man

India’s campaign started with a scratchy win against the Netherlands and a huge defeat against Australia. It took some nasty outcry by fans back home and a trademark ‘Team India Hurdle’ to get them back on track. India’s unforgettable run to the finals at the Wanderers was orchestrated by batting brilliance from the 41-year-old. He amassed 673 runs, the most by any batsman in a single World Cup, which included one hundred and six 50s in 11 matches, scoring at average of 61.18.

This was his best World Cup with the bat. Sachin receiving his man of the tournament award from great Garry Sobers still rings fresh in our minds. That magical innings against Pakistan at the Centurion, which every cricket fan would have watched countless times against the deadly trio of Akram-Waqar-Akhtar is one of the best and cherished ODI innings.

“The upper gliding cut off the steaming Shoaib Akthar which flew 20 rows into the stands” and “an impeccable pull shot off Andrew Caddick that sent the ball soaring over the stands and straight out of the ground”. Two shots which no cricket fan can forget in his lifetime.

Stats – Matches: 11; Runs: 673; Hs: 152; Avg: 61.18; 100s: 1; 50s: 6

#5 2007 - Disappointment, nothing else

Ah! Let's not talk about this. One world cup which every Indian cricket fan would want to forget. Playing in the Caribbean there was nothing to dance for the Indians after getting knocked out by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Round 1. Surprisingly, Sachin was pushed down the order in this series, which was filled with all forgettable experiments. He scored 64 runs, including one 50 against Bermuda.

Stats – Matches: 3; Runs: 64; Hs: 57*; Avg: 32; 50s: 1

#6 2011 - Achieving the dream

The World Cup was back in the Indian subcontinent after 15 long years. It was God’s last World Cup and every soul in the Indian dressing room, wanted to win this cup for Sachin. Playing at home, it was India’s best shot which they managed to grab it with both hands. Thanks to the amazing performances with the bat and ball from Yuvraj Singh.

Sachin piled on 482 runs scoring a 100 each against England and South Africa. And a scratchy yet match winning 85 runs against our very own rivals, helping India to complete the holy ritual of beating Pakistan, which India has religiously accomplished at World Cups till date.

And what followed thereafter was a classic six off Kulasekara’s bowling by MS Dhoni to seal the cup and team India carried Sachin Tendulkar around the ground as the madness of winning the World Cup cascaded down from the stands of Wankhede.

Stats – Matches: 9; Runs : 482; Hs: 120; Avg: 53.55; 100s : 2; 50s : 2

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Edited by Staff Editor