Back in Manchester, 1990, a teenager stood between India and defeat. His name was Sachin Tendulkar. His score? 119 not out. His arrival? Unforgettable
India stepped into the second Test at Old Trafford in August 1990, already feeling the pressure. After suffering a tough 247-run defeat at Lord's, their early efforts in Manchester didn't show signs of a quick recovery.
England batted first and scored an impressive 519, thanks to centuries from Graham Gooch (116), Mike Atherton (131), and Robin Smith (121). In response, India battled hard and reached 432, with captain Mohammad Azharuddin scoring a courageous 179 and a young Sachin Tendulkar, still finding his way in international cricket, contributing a steady 68. This effort kept India in the game but left them 87 runs behind.
England quickly enforced more pressure. With Atherton adding 74 and Allan Lamb making 109, they declared at 320/4, setting India a challenging target of 408 to win — or, more realistically, to bat through Day 5 and preserve the match.
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The chase started badly. Navjot Sidhu got out for a duck, and Ravi Shastri soon followed. India was 35/2, and the decline continued with Manjrekar, Vengsarkar, and Azharuddin all falling before the score reached 130. By the time Kapil Dev was bowled by Hemmings, India was 183/6, with more than two sessions still to play.
The match looked like it was heading for another defeat. But then, Sachin Tendulkar stood firm.
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At only 17 years and 107 days old, Tendulkar wasn't expected to lead a Test innings just yet. But he stepped up confidently. Playing at No. 6, he faced bowlers like Eddie Hemmings, Devon Malcolm, Chris Lewis, and Angus Fraser with a maturity beyond his years.
He didn't just play defensively; he knew the perfect moments to drive through cover, cut late, and flick with precision. His technique looked sharp, and his mindset was clear.
He scored his first Test hundred off 161 balls and finished unbeaten on 119 off 189, hitting 17 boundaries. It was a moment of grace under pressure, blending survival with pride.
Tendulkar was not alone on the field. Manoj Prabhakar came in at 183/6, and together they built a vital 160-run partnership for the seventh wicket — one of India's most significant performances in England at that time.
Prabhakar remained unbeaten on 67 from 128 balls, allowing Sachin to settle and develop his innings while Prabhakar kept a steady presence at the other end. Despite England's continuous attacks, both batsmen kept their composure and nerves.
India finished the day at 343/6 after 90 overs. The match ended in a draw, keeping the series alive and exciting.
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Tendulkar's first Test hundred wasn't about securing a win, but it was a moment that truly showcased his resilience. He stood tall, without flinching, rushing, or wavering.
At just 17, he became India's youngest player to reach a hundred in Tests and was named Player of the Match, even though England had the upper hand for most of the five days.
By the end of the series, Tendulkar had impressively scored 245 runs over five innings, averaging 61.25 with a strike rate of 55.80 — outperforming many of his more experienced teammates.
