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Tendulkar proves master again

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Kamlesh Purohit | 08:42 UK time, Friday, 16 November 2007

What is it about ? That was a question asked by many as yet again he fell short of a century as India defeated Pakistan at Gwalior.

It must be deeply frustrating for the 'Little Master' but in the context of a match, how different is a contribution of 97 as opposed to 100? It's only three runs, so let's not get too bogged down by the stats, and instead focus on what was yet another magnificent innings.

Chasing 256, India were 48-2 at one stage. However, once Tendulkar took command, India rarely looked like slipping up. He and Sehwag put on 107 for the third wicket, and with Tendulkar in full flow, Sehwag enjoyed valuable time at the crease to get set.

Despite these two being dismissed within four runs of each other, they laid a solid enough foundation for with a brilliant 101-run partnership.

Mahendra Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh

Earlier, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik had called correctly, only for the 'curse of the winning toss' to strike for the fourth consecutive time in this series. Losing Salman Butt off just the second ball of the match was a blow, prompting Malik and Younus Khan to bat with caution, perhaps too much caution - after all the curator of the Gwalior pitch had said it would be full of runs.

So was this a deceptively tricky wicket to bat on? Evidently not, if you go by the crisp cover drives that flowed later from Tendulkar’s blade.

With Shahid Afridi set to come in at five and Misbah to follow, also in good touch, maybe Pakistan felt it prudent to follow the Indian approach from the previous match at Kanpur, where Yuvraj and Dhoni patiently conserved wickets before stepping on the gas.

The run rate rarely looked in danger of rising above 4.5 per over and a lot of credit for this has to go India’s bits-and-pieces bowlers - Yuvraj, Sehwag and Ganguly combining to take 2-52 off 10 overs and vindicating Dhoni’s decision to play the extra batsman.

Indeed, it was only the class of Mohammad Yousuf, with 99 not out, that got Pakistan past the 250 mark.

This match highlighted just how dominant the Indian batsmen and how much Pakistan have missed the . With Asif set to miss the Test series too, it could be a tough road ahead for the tourists.

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  • 1.
  • At 10:58 AM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Surcha wrote:

It is a worrying Jinx of missing 100s but nevertheless he is a Master and proved it once again. Well deserved victory for India and I don't think Pakistan matched India and lost the series easily.

  • 2.
  • At 12:38 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • SHYJU PAPPACHAN wrote:

Unlucky to India & sachin

  • 3.
  • At 01:53 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • ramesh wrote:

i dont think sachin is worried because he knows he is going to get into the 90's every alternate game

  • 4.
  • At 02:27 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Ash Khanna wrote:

Surely it maks Sachin more determined to prove the 90's jinxed theory and the pundits wrong. Good for us fans..

  • 5.
  • At 02:32 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • abdullah patel wrote:

unlucky sachin

  • 6.
  • At 03:04 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Mandar wrote:

The jinx and the consequent broken hearts apart, the shots he played once again proved why he is called the master blaster.

  • 7.
  • At 04:31 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Chirag wrote:

We would all love The Little Master Sachin to get a century and it is only matter of time!As much as it hurts that he missed it again, what matters most is that lately he is playing match winning innings time and time again, something he was critised about in the past. He is a True Champion and would rather score a 99 and win then a 150 and lose. He has proved once again, beyond doubt, that he is the best cricketer of recent times to pick up a bat! Kevin Who?!

  • 8.
  • At 04:42 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Jayesh wrote:

Hmmm, 90's blue, I guess he is just old to handle them now.

  • 9.
  • At 06:00 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Bob Singh wrote:

Sachin still entertains - hes not worried at all about the nervous ninties. India now for the first time in a long while have finishers in Yuvraj and Dhoni. They will win easliy the tests against Pakistan. They will also win in Oz.

  • 10.
  • At 06:15 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • dhaval soni wrote:

It is good for us (the indian fan) as long as he produces.
I would be happy with him getting 90's than 100's after long time.
If he scores like this than I do not want his hundreds. Lets hope he gets 90's every time steps on to the field.

  • 11.
  • At 06:24 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Eddie wrote:

Sachin need to retire and gave a youngster a chance (as is Dravid & Ganguly) as he got when he was 16. A good 97 every 4 weeks is a sign of Male Andropause. Who is the future of Indian cricket? Who knows we can find another Matthew Haden or Brian Lara.

  • 12.
  • At 06:53 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Suresh Vuluvala wrote:

I have been following cricket since 1983, and I was a critic of Sachin's performance in recent years. But this particular innings is so classic that I say this is one of the best that I have seen since 1983. I am not bothered about centuries. This one is Absolutely fabulous.

  • 13.
  • At 07:20 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Angirasa wrote:

Tedulkar can still produce an occasional innings of greatness. It does not however cloud the plain fact that he is a spent force and he is blocking the maturing of a younger player.
Tendulkar lacks consistency at this point in his career. In addition, his fielding is not top class any more. Occasional brilliance does not serve the team.
Tendulkar should play only test cricket for the country for a few more series. He should quit the one day cricket now for the good of the Indian team.
The selectors donot seem to have much authority in this matter.

  • 14.
  • At 07:27 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Prashant wrote:

Pakistan has recently lost a coach through death and are, doubtless, in a complete state of disarray. We too have lost a coach but in a more conventional way. And it was a coach who we didn't like anyway.

The point I'm making is that, given the circumstances, Pakistan have put up a creditable performance. We should applaud them for that. Of course, as an Indian, I like to think that the result would have been the same in better circumstances :)

  • 15.
  • At 07:29 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • D.K. Gupta wrote:

Its got be frustrating for Pakistan. Apart from Sachin - the other Indian batsmen are consistently firing on all cylinders. Yuvraj and Dhoni are playing exceptionally well and barely giving any chance to Robin and even the tail enders to show their stuff. This series has become too one sided.

  • 16.
  • At 07:34 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • D.K. Gupta wrote:

Its got be frustrating for Pakistan. Apart from Sachin - the other Indian batsmen are consistently firing on all cylinders. Yuvraj and Dhoni are playing exceptionally well and barely giving any chance to Robin and even the tail enders to show their stuff. This series has become too one sided.

  • 17.
  • At 08:00 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Davendra Purohit USA wrote:

I have my doughts on Sachin getting out on 90 +. Knowing how the Indians, mostly in India are still betting on cricket I wonder if getting out on 90 + and not 100 + is any thing to do with people putting bets on Sachin?

  • 18.
  • At 08:10 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Harry Jethwa wrote:

it quite funny there isnt any comments by a pakistani fans.after first and second and last odis there were lots of comments posted by die hard pakistani fans.guess india hit them hard where it hurts and they must be disapointed come on its only a game of cricket.india rocks.best team won..thank you bbc.

  • 19.
  • At 09:38 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Ray wrote:

"Tendulkar lacks consistency at this point in his career."

What an idiotic statement! Tendulkar is in the top 10 ODI batsmen (and probably top 5 after this series) in ICC rankings. You're not talking Afridi or Sehwag here. Know who you are talking about.

I'm not a big fan of Sachin (I like Dravid better) but I cannot deny that Sachin is probably the best batsman of our time and Warne, Ponting, Lee, Younis Khan, etc. seem to agree. If Angirasa doesn't, the problem is with Angi, not Sachin.

  • 20.
  • At 09:42 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Anonymous wrote:

hi is not good for

  • 21.
  • At 09:46 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Ray wrote:

"Tendulkar lacks consistency at this point in his career."

What an idiotic statement! Tendulkar is in the top 10 ODI batsmen (and probably top 5 after this series) in ICC rankings. You're not talking Afridi or Sehwag here. Know who you are talking about.

I'm not a big fan of Sachin (I like Dravid better) but I cannot deny that Sachin is probably the best batsman of our time and Warne, Ponting, Lee, Younis Khan, etc. seem to agree. If Angirasa doesn't, the problem is with Angi, not Sachin.

  • 22.
  • At 09:53 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Doctor Ray wrote:

Angirasa at #12 wrote:
"Tendulkar lacks consistency at this point in his career."

What an idiotic statement! Tendulkar is in the top 10 ODI batsmen (and probably top 5 after this series) in ICC rankings. You're not talking Afridi or Sehwag here. Know who you are talking about.

I'm not a big fan of Sachin (I like Dravid better) but I cannot deny that Sachin is probably the best batsman of our time and Warne, Ponting, Lee, Younis Khan, etc. seem to agree. If Angirasa doesn't, the problem is with Angi, not Sachin.

  • 23.
  • At 09:55 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Ray wrote:

Angirasa at #12 wrote:
"Tendulkar lacks consistency at this point in his career."

What an idiotic statement! Tendulkar is in the top 10 ODI batsmen (and probably top 5 after this series) in ICC rankings. You're not talking Afridi or Sehwag here. Know who you are talking about.

I'm not a big fan of Sachin (I like Dravid better) but I cannot deny that Sachin is probably the best batsman of our time and Warne, Ponting, Lee, Younis Khan, etc. seem to agree. If Angirasa doesn't, the problem is with Angi, not Sachin.

  • 24.
  • At 09:58 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • Ray wrote:

Angirasa at #12 wrote:
"Tendulkar lacks consistency at this point in his career."

What an idiotic statement! Tendulkar is in the top 10 ODI batsmen (and probably top 5 after this series) in ICC rankings. You're not talking Afridi or Sehwag here. Know who you are talking about.

I'm not a big fan of Sachin (I like Dravid better) but I cannot deny that Sachin is probably the best batsman of our time and Warne, Ponting, Lee, Younis Khan, etc. seem to agree. If Angirasa doesn't, the problem is with Angi, not Sachin.

  • 25.
  • At 11:11 PM on 16 Nov 2007,
  • chander wrote:

sachin is undoubtly the best odi batsman ever and next to sir bradman in Tests
he has always proved his critics wrong
he is and will remain the most entertaining batsmen of the world
"long live tendulkar"
"I wish you can hit century in next match"
my prayers are with u

  • 26.
  • At 12:35 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Vorshal wrote:

For a cricketer who has scored well over a dozen more centuries than any other cricketer in the ODIs could only be described as a chance factor bound to end soon!

Thank you.

  • 27.
  • At 12:46 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • faiz wrote:

One of the greatest innings ever seen in my life ...who plays better than this in current cricket. Former Australian players are crying for his retirement after that there players want to achieve all the records same things they are expecting from mural too black & white issue so sachin don't worry carry on

  • 28.
  • At 01:25 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • faiz wrote:

One of the greatest innings ever seen in my life ...who plays better than this in current cricket. Former Australian players are crying for his retirement after that there players want to achieve all the records same things they are expecting from mural too black & white issue so sachin don't worry carry on

  • 29.
  • At 01:25 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • faiz wrote:

One of the greatest innings ever seen in my life ...who plays better than this in current cricket. Former Australian players are crying for his retirement after that there players want to achieve all the records same things they are expecting from mural too black & white issue so sachin don't worry carry on

  • 30.
  • At 01:28 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • faiz wrote:

One of the greatest innings ever seen in my life ...who plays better than this in current cricket. Former Australian players are crying for his retirement after that there players want to achieve all the records same things they are expecting from mural too black & white issue so sachin don't worry carry on

  • 31.
  • At 02:02 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Sai Vemulakonda wrote:

Sachin's 97 is far better than many 100s scored by lesser players. Wait for a while and we will get his 100.

A great knock from a genius. I like Dravid better, but there is no doubt Sachin is a genius. Just ask Glen and Shane.

  • 32.
  • At 02:08 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Sai Vemulakonda wrote:

Sachin's 97 is far better than many 100s scored by lesser players. Wait for a while and we will get his 100.

A great knock from a genius. I like Dravid better, but there is no doubt Sachin is a genius. Just ask Glen and Shane.

  • 33.
  • At 03:36 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Navin Shah wrote:

To Angirasa(#12):
First look up the defination of consistency. Scoring one century and 7 nineties in less than 11 months, and scoring 1400 ODI runs so far in 2007; if that is not being consistent than I don't know what is. Having an average of more than 45 over 406 games is more than being consistent. He has not produced an occasional inning of greatness as you falsely claim. 41 ODI centuries and 87 half centuries would be considered 'occassional' only by ignorant or insane.

Angirasa seems like one of those mis-educated Indians who abhors Gandhi but reveres Hitler. It's his illogic combined with his idiocy that made him make a statement like that. Nothing he says has any grounding in truth whatsoever about Sachin's play-making ability or his recent form. Seriously, stop posting on these channels if u do not have an opinion that is based on at least a few facts. Batting is not that simple you non-analyst, even though Sachin makes it looks like it is. I pity you Angirasa for being a fool.

  • 35.
  • At 07:09 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Wilson Albert wrote:

Oh Sachin, You are really great and what a classic style of shot you are playing! it seems like you are not going to retired. I hope he is capable to play two more world cups and expecting 60 Centuary's in ODI. I love to watch Cricket if you are in creese. last mach really make me too sad and we want centuary from next match.

  • 36.
  • At 07:15 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Prabu wrote:

Sachin said "the more I think about getting out in 90s the more it is going to be a problem but what matters is the team results".

Let us leave it to the genius to resolve this and sit back and enjoy. What an amazing strokeplay. He almost scored more boundaries than the entire opposition and the guys following him were wise and not try to outdo greatness.it is just impossible.

  • 37.
  • At 07:36 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Prabu wrote:

What an amazing innings. I was watching in internet tv as it unfolded and cruelly cut-off when he was in his 40s. Is there anywhere I can see a replay of this knock in internet? I am 50 and I have seen only one or atmost two (scratching my memory beyond repair)comparable knocks. It was pure joy-supreme execution that dazes even the opponent!! Long live little master. Continue to play more of such innings! Who cares it is 90 or 100?

  • 38.
  • At 07:38 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Prabu wrote:

Sachin said "the more I think about getting out in 90s the more it is going to be a problem but what matters is the team results".

Let us leave it to the genius to resolve this and sit back and enjoy. What an amazing strokeplay. He almost scored more boundaries than the entire opposition and the guys following him were wise and not try to outdo greatness.it is just impossible.

  • 39.
  • At 07:41 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Prabu wrote:

What an amazing innings. I was watching in internet tv as it unfolded and cruelly cut-off when he was in his 40s. Is there anywhere I can see a replay of this knock in internet? I am 50 and I have seen only one or atmost two (scratching my memory beyond repair)comparable knocks. It was pure joy-supreme execution that dazes even the opponent!! Long live little master. Continue to play more of such innings! Who cares it is 90 or 100?

  • 40.
  • At 07:50 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Prabu wrote:

What an amazing innings. I was watching in internet tv as it unfolded and cruelly cut-off when he was in his 40s. Is there anywhere I can see a replay of this knock in internet? I am 50 and I have seen very few knocks like this.

  • 41.
  • At 07:54 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Prabu wrote:

What an amazing innings. I was watching in internet tv as it unfolded and cruelly cut-off when he was in his 40s. Is there anywhere I can see a replay of this knock in internet? I am 50 and I have seen only one or atmost two (scratching my memory beyond repair)comparable knocks. It was pure joy-supreme execution that dazes even the opponent!! Long live little master. Continue to play more of such innings! Who cares it is 90 or 100?

  • 42.
  • At 08:09 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • NICK wrote:

I sure sachin will have another 10 nineties in his career, his star sign has a natural psychological pressure behaviour at crucial jinx poit.

  • 43.
  • At 08:12 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Changez Khan wrote:

I am an Indian by birth only but grew up in Pakistan. I used to have heart attack if Pakistan lost to specially to India due to aninosity created by politicians in our minds.

Now I got smart I love both teams to win, strange as it is. So now I take India.Pak games as practice games to sharpen their skills against their common enemy Australia and South Africa. I believe from heart most Indian intelectuals look game difeerently for itscometetiveness and spirit of players and enjoy game, rather then really having to see a great defeat.
I dont feel great if Pakistan would have won but I want to see close cometition, not easy wins over each other. I feel Indian Pakistan has love and hate relation like siblings. Note Pakistani bad boys Shoaib and Afridi both most notorious in the cricket history should quit cricket and become become boxer or wrestlers or join my Army as commanders.I am preparing to Invade Russia, America, China and Canada in winter. So far I got army of 999,996 people short of my list to make million to fight for just cause to spread cricket or face the crises or cosequences if they dont accept this game which I like the whole world to play. I dont like opposition or resistance at all specially arguments.

  • 44.
  • At 08:40 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Dr. Cajetan Coelho wrote:

Gwalior has been a happy hunting ground for Team India. Sachin's huge knock, useful contributions from Veeru, MSD and Dhoni made the chase look easy. Saurav Ganguly taking his 100th ODI wicket and Zaheer his 200th made the day memorable for Team India. ArPy, Irfan, Zaheer, Bhajji, Saurav, Yuvraj and Veeru were outstanding as bowlers.

Younus, Yousuf and Misbah made solid contributions with the bat but against the inform Indian bowlers and batters the visitors need to put in a little more effort in the last encounter. Best wishes to the two sides.

  • 45.
  • At 08:52 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Bergkamp Fan wrote:

I seriously fail to understand what all the hoopla is about having beaten one of the poorest Pakistan team to have ever played cricket. They are so bad that I am sure that Kenya would put up a good fight. Also I fail to understand all the hype surrounding ther 20-20 victory. someone please explain to me how the 20-20 is any different than the Hong Kong super 6. I think we won it a couple of times.Probably all those players deserve a grand welcome as well. Close your eyes and swing the bat is the mantra to both 20-20 and the HK super 6. Lets win some real cricket, India.

  • 46.
  • At 09:09 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Jitender wrote:

thanks

  • 47.
  • At 10:25 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Amol wrote:

I find it amusing that ignorant people keep ranting about Sachin's 'inconsistency' and that he is blocking someone's path. Pray, who is ready to step in his shoes as an opener in ODI? Gambhir? Sehwag???? D. Karthik? Yusuf Pathan?

Guys, just enjoy the masterclass in batting he is providing these days - taking us back to the 90s when he used to dominate bowlers and rival captains were happy to give away singles to let the other bloke bat!!

Talking about Thursday's innings, was there a better shot than the flick from outside off-stump to Sohail?

Is he the new Michael Slater?

  • 49.
  • At 11:02 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Anonymous wrote:

i think sachin is the best player

  • 50.
  • At 11:23 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • pramod wrote:

my point of view for sachin is ...first up people used to complain when sachin made a century is it a match winning century or not ? ....now when he makes a glorious 90 and win matches .... we complain about nevrvousness ...when he had a bad patch earlier this decade after 2003 wc we complained about saching getting old ....i think we have to stop criticising him cuz hes such a genius ...

  • 51.
  • At 11:27 AM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • ibrahim wrote:

still he is a master blaster

  • 52.
  • At 01:19 PM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • Pappy wrote:

india zindabad 4eva

  • 53.
  • At 05:01 PM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • pramod wrote:

this is how SACHIN is
Supreme Adorable Calm Humble Intellegent Nice........person both on and off field ...

stats show his consistency ...answers back with the bat rather than by word of mouth ...

may god bless him .....

  • 54.
  • At 07:29 PM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • guesswhat6677 wrote:

HE WAS and IS THE BEST ONE DAY PLAYER AT THE MOMENT AND WILL REMAIN SO TILL HE RETIRES...and i hope he doesnt retire for another few years...i m sure nobody would be able to break his one day century record in years to come so no worries there and plus his getting out in 90's probably is inching him closer to hunderd 50's as well...and that ll be a record hard to break...and everytime he scores is SLAP to all those people who want him to retire...is anyone better than him...NO..he is a master...and to all those people who think getting youngster will improve our fielding and we ll win more matches...well for a fact new zealand is much better fielding side than india...and probably one of the best in world cricket ...do they win matches cuz of their fielding...NO..u need class batsman like tendulkar's, ganguly's, dravid's to score runs...and win matches

  • 55.
  • At 08:29 PM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • paki munda wrote:

well i m from pakistan,and i would love to see my team wins,but india played a batter cricket and desorve to b the winners so congrats india and sachin is superb with the bat and he is such a nice and humble man,wish him and all the very best, and for pakistan must work hard try to trun the tables in test series altough its very unlikely coz the way india playing is awesome.

  • 56.
  • At 09:09 PM on 17 Nov 2007,
  • hsm wrote:

its all depends if sachin is playin for him self or the team i hope every time he got out he looked it like DAMN that was a good score hopfully not like DAMN 3 away from a 100 and soo on. if he thought that was a good score than he is playing for the team which is a great thing for india... and if you looks back at the games against pakistan he was the best player for india n if he didnt get the scores he did india wouldnt have won....

  • 57.
  • At 02:19 AM on 20 Nov 2007,
  • gaurav wrote:

Congrats to India for this series win,
But I truely believe that both India and pakistan should prep each other to beat Aussies

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