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Sachin Tendulkar’s Nervous Nineties: Near Misses That Made History
Discover the story of Sachin Tendulkar’s nervous nineties, the near misses that shaped his legendary cricketing journey, with detailed stats and insights.
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The phrase “so near, yet so far” perfectly describes the bittersweet moments in Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary career when he fell short of a century in the dreaded nervous nineties. Despite being one of cricket’s most consistent and successful batsmen, these near-misses remind us of the fine line between triumph and heartbreak in sports.
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Sachin Tendulkar, hailed as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, holds countless records. However, one statistic that frustrated fans and the ‘Master Blaster’ himself was his record for being dismissed the most times in the nineties across all formats of international cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Nervous Nineties
The Numbers Behind the Nervous Nineties
During his illustrious career, Tendulkar was dismissed 28 times in the nineties — 10 times in Tests and 18 times in ODIs. These moments not only showcased his incredible ability to consistently get close to a century but also the unpredictability of the game, where even a small lapse could cost a milestone.
Nervous Nineties in Test Matches
| Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| 94 | West Indies | Wankhede, Mumbai | 2011 |
| 91 | England | The Oval | 2011 |
| 98 | Australia | Mohali | 2010 |
| 97 | South Africa | Mumbai | 2000 |
| 96 | Sri Lanka | Bangalore | 1994 |
| 94 | Pakistan | Mohali | 2005 |
| 92 | West Indies | Barbados | 1997 |
| 92 | England | Trent Bridge | 1994 |
| 91 | England | Trent Bridge | 2007 |
| 90 | England | Bangalore | 2001 |
In Test cricket, Tendulkar fell in the nineties 10 times, a testament to his near-flawless technique and ability to play long innings. Despite holding the record for the most Test centuries (51), these dismissals highlighted how the pressure of closing in on a milestone could impact even the best in the game.
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Nervous Nineties in ODIs
| S.No. | Runs | Balls | Out | Against | Venue | Date |
| 1 | 90 | 84 | Stumped | Australia | Mumbai | 27 Feb 1996 |
| 2 | 91 | 87 | Stumped | England | Sharjah | 11 Dec 1997 |
| 3 | 95 | 78 | Bowled | Pakistan | Dhaka | 14 Jan 1998 |
| 4 | 93 | 103 | Bowled | Pakistan | Hobart | 21 Jan 2000 |
| 5 | 93 | 89 | Caught | South Africa | Nagpur | 19 Mar 2000 |
| 6 | 93 | 95 | Caught | Sri Lanka | Dhaka | 1 Jun 2000 |
| 7 | 98 | 75 | Caught | Pakistan | Centurion | 1 Mar 2003 |
| 8 | 97 | 120 | Caught | Sri Lanka | Johannesburg | 10 Mar 2003 |
| 9 | 93 | 96 | Caught | Sri Lanka | Nagpur | 25 Oct 2005 |
| 10 | 95 | 104 | Caught | Pakistan | Lahore | 13 Feb 2006 |
| 11 | 99 | 143 | Run Out | South Africa | Belfast | 26 Jun 2007 |
| 12 | 93 | 106 | Bowled | South Africa | Belfast | 29 Jun 2007 |
| 13 | 99 | 112 | Caught | England | Bristol | 24 Aug 2007 |
| 14 | 94 | 81 | Caught | England | The Oval | 5 Sep 2007 |
| 15 | 99 | 91 | Caught | Pakistan | Mohali | 8 Nov 2007 |
| 16 | 97 | 102 | Bowled | Pakistan | Gwalior | 15 Nov 2007 |
| 17 | 91 | 121 | Caught | Australia | Brisbane | 4 Mar 2008 |
| 18 | 96* | 104 | Not Out | Sri Lanka | Cuttack | 21 Dec 2009 |
Tendulkar’s nervous nineties were even more frequent in ODIs, where he was dismissed 18 times. This made him the player with the most dismissals in the nineties in this format. While these moments often left fans disappointed, they also reminded them of his unmatched ability to regularly come close to three figures. His record of 49 ODI centuries remains an extraordinary achievement, proving that he rarely let such setbacks define him.
A Legacy Beyond the Numbers
While the nervous nineties were a recurring theme in Sachin Tendulkar‘s career, they did not overshadow his greatness. Instead, they underline his consistency and longevity at the highest level of cricket. These near-misses were not failures but rather examples of how he kept pushing the boundaries of excellence, coming close to perfection time and again.
Sachin’s journey through the nervous nineties is a testament to his dedication, skill, and mental toughness. Even when he fell short of a century, his performances often shaped the outcomes of matches, leaving an indelible mark on the game of cricket.
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