Ah! Being a cricket fan it's always a joy to talk about Sachin's Sharjah innings.
Let's go point by point.
- Target: The target set by Aussies were 284 and 273. While it may not be a big deal today, but that was a daunting task way back in 1998. The average score in a 50 over match used to hover around 225–230. Hence, in such circumstances, any score above 250 was a tough nut to crack.
- Batting under lights: While with the development of cricket, it might have become easier to chase in a day-night match. But during that time, all the team used to prefer to bat first in a day-night match.
- Intent: In the match just before the finals, India had to score 254 to reach the finals. The score was later revised to 236 in 46 overs. While others were focused on getting the score of 236, there was one man who was playing to win the match, Sachin Tendulkar.
- Single handed effort: Sachin scored 55% and 49% runs of the team in those two matches which clearly states that it was him vs the Aussies. On a pitch were other Indian batsmen were finding it tough to survive, Sachin was playing at more than run-a-ball.
5. The Opposition: Windies in 70s and Aussies in 90s were the team who could beat any team at any ground. If you are playing against the Australian side in the late 90s, it was assumed that you are going to lose the match. The Opposition had a formidable bowling attack in Shane Warne, Kapsrowicz, Fleming and Tom Moody. Sachin targeted their prime bowler Warne and ensured runs keep coming throughout the Indian batting.
6. Shots: He played every shot in the book. He cut, pulled, flicked and drove everything that came in his way. He came down the track and hit a fast bowler for a six over his head. This was something that was pretty unimaginable at that time. I believe these innings opened the floodgates to a plethora of attacking shots in the cricket history.
This innings was more about having the belief that Sachin had in himself. It was a single-handed superhuman effort from the ultimate cricketer world will ever see.