By Girish K
In what turned out to be an absolutely magnificent Test match in recent times, few performances from both the teams will be remembered for times to come. The guile with which Kumble and Saqlain bowled in the first innings for their teams, a century by Afridi and a brilliant spell of fast bowling from Prasad will not be forgotten. These may have extremely good performances considering the twist and turns that this test match took.
But one man overshadowed all of these performances with his sheer brilliance and magnanimity. Sachin Tendulkar, remembered his first innings dismissal pretty well. As he walked back to the pavilion with a zero against his score, he was determined that he would do well in the next innings and well, he got a wonderful opportunity to do it. Indians were with their backs to the wall at 5 down for 83 ( They were none too better at 2 down for 6, when he came in). He has admitted that he prefers coming in when the chips are down. The innings that followed was one of patience, determination, commitment and concentration.
He was watchful at the crease, playing every ball on merit. Initially, he was finding it difficult to hit the ball through the gaps and the bad balls were not often dismissed to the fence to his liking. Also, he had pain in his back(spasm) that was growing in severity as the match progressed. Till tea, he was in a shell and no matter what happened, he wouldn't lose his wicket. With one session left in the day's play, Sachin decided to change gears. And boy, didn't he in style ! he hit Saqlain for 16 runs in one over and sachin had a sounded a warning to Pakistan.
All these great batsmen take risk that results as a chance in their innings. Sachin too, took a risk in his 90's when he stepped out to Saqlain. Moin Khan missed an inside edge that could have been a catch or a stumping. The new ball used by Akram and Younis cost Pakistan 33 runs in 5 overs. Tendulkar was in a aggressive mood. Suddenly, the match had turned in India's favour. He had already started playing on Pakistan bowlers' minds. Sachin forced the bowler to pitch where he wanted them to and he was despatching the ball to the fence.
He was moving towards the victory so fast that one small error in judgment would cost India the match. He miscued a shot to long off where Akram held the catch (he'd probably never forget this one in his lifetime). What ended at that moment was not just an innings from a great batsman, but it portrayed the genius batsman that he was. This innings was different from the onslaught against Aussies at Chennai last march. He just showed yet again what a great batsman he is.
I personally would rate this innings as the best I have ever seen from his bat. Of course, for Sachin it would be the best only if India had won. This innings of his only reaffirmed his status as the best batsman in the world.
As an afterthought, are we talking of Sachin being the best player in the world ? Remember he took 3 important wickets in this match. Does it make him eligible for the all-rounder status ? Will we soon have Sachin as the best allrounder in this game ? Maybe this will happen when he scores another century and picks up five wickets in an innings. But then, aren't we expecting too much from one man ?