Sachin Tendulkar’s Top 4 Most Memorable ODI Knocks

Often hailed as the god of Indian cricket and one of the greatest international cricketers of all-time, Sachin Tendulkar has been an unwavering inspiration to the young generation of cricketers with beaming aspirations of representing their country at the international level of cricket across all the three formats for decades now.

Although Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from international cricket in 2013, he is still hailed as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all-time. Over the years, Sachin Tendulkar smashed the highest-ever total of ODI runs, i.e. 18,426 runs, and registered the most ODI centuries, i.e. 49, and the highest number of ODI half-tons, i.e. 96.

In this article we will take a look at the top four most memorable ODI knocks ever delivered by the legendary Indian former international cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Top 4 Most Memorable ODI Knocks

• India vs South Africa, 2010 – 200 Runs

The “Master-Blaster” of the Indian national cricket team, Sachin Tendulkar smashed his infamous double-century during the 2nd ODI in the iconic India vs South Africa 2010 ODI series at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium, ranking it at the first spot in our list of the four most memorable ODI knocks of the legendary Indian former international cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

In the second ODI of the iconic India vs South Africa 2010 ODI series, Tendulkar opened the innings and remained unbeaten till the end of the match, facing a record total of 147 deliveries. Tendulkar fearlessly hit across all parts of the ground with elegant drives, flicks, and cuts throughout the match and established himself as the first-ever cricketer to smash a double century in the ODI format. Sachin Tendulkar scored 200 runs and remained unbeaten, leading the Indian side to a massive total of 410/3 in 50 overs.

• India vs Australia, 2009 – 175 Runs

At the second spot in our list of the top four most memorable ODI innings of the greatest Indian former international cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, we have the fifth ODI of the iconic seven-match India vs Australia series in 2009 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.

Although the Indian side ended up losing the match by a small margin of three runs, the match proved to be a gamechanger for Sachin Tendulkar, who undoubtedly proved his dominance on the field throughout the match against the Aussies. Tendulkar stitched a daunting partnership of 137 runs with Suresh Raina after India lost the crucial wicket of Gautam Gambhir in the initial few overs of the match. Even as the most crucial wickets continued falling, Sachin Tendulkar continued anchoring India’s innings against Australia and smashed his 45th ODI century in just 81 deliveries, making it a memorable match for the fans and supporters of Indian cricket.

• India vs Australia, 1998 – 143 Runs

Often popularly referred to as the “desert storm” innings by Sachin Tendulkar in the India vs Australia match at the Coca-Cola Cup in April 1998 is at the third spot in our list of the top four most memorable ODI knocks by Sachin Tendulkar. Although the Australian side led by Steve Waugh possessed an annihilating bowling unit including prominent bowlers like Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, and Michael Kasprowicz, India’s Sachin Tendulkar turned out to be a nightmare for the Aussies throughout the match.

Sachin Tendulkar stepped into the crease when India required 254 runs to qualify for the final. Shockingly, midway through the chase the match was halted for about 25–30 minutes due to a ferocious desert storm. Tendulkar came back to the crease and played one of the most memorable and fearless innings of his entire career after the halt. Sachin Tendulkar smashed a record total of 143 runs off 131 deliveries and clinched the coveted Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards.

• India vs Pakistan, 2003 – 98 Runs

Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four most memorable ODI knocks of Sachin Tendulkar, we have the iconic and one of the most infamous knocks in World Cup history, the “India vs Pakistan” clash at the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup played at the centurion, South Africa on March 1, 2003.

Batting first, Pakistan posted a daunting total of 273 at the loss of three wickets and also showcased one of the world’s most deadly and lethal bowling attacks of that time against the Indian national cricket team. While the fans and supporters of Pakistan’s side were anticipating their prominent bowlers, including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi to annihilate India’s batting line-up, Sachin Tendulkar proved to be a nightmare for the Pakistan’s bowling unit and smashed a match-winning total of 98 runs off 75 deliveries including twelve boundaries a high-flying six.