Top Ten ODI Innings by Indian Batsmen

2. Sachin Tendulkar 134 v Australia, Sharjah (1998)

It was 24 April, 1998, the final of Coca Cola Cup in Sharjah.India vs Australia. Sachin was coming on the back of an exciting hundred against the same opposition. India were now set 273 to chase. Mind you, it was a stiff target given Australia’s bowling attack that boasted of Kasprowicz, Daniel Fleming and the Sheikh of Tweak, Shane Warne.

But a player of Sachin Tendulkar’s stature doesn’t care about the opposition. The Aussies began with tight lines and were rewarded with the wicket of Saurav Ganguly. But little did they know what was about to strike them.Sachin played the knock of his life. Every shot he played, every single he took, was measured. And once he began the prowl there was no stopping. He stepped out to smack Warne for two sixes. A dynamic Tony Greig screeched in the commentary box “Whaddaplaya !” A billion Indians’ hearts were overwhelmed with joy and pride. Sachin got out for 134, but by then the job had been more than done. It was pure gold.

At the end of match Michael Kasprowicz remarked, “We didn’t lose to a team called India, we lost to a man called Sachin Tendulkar.”