At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sachin Tendulkar scored two consecutive centuries against the mighty Aussie bowlers

In the 90s and 2000s, Australia rose to become the most dominant side in cricket, especially in the ODI format. Therefore, defeating them in any game was always a challenging task. In fact, defeating Australia in a tournament became nearly impossible for any other team. However, on this day, i.e., April 24, 1998, India stunned a peak Australian side to lift the Coca-Cola Cup, thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s two consecutive centuries.

(Credit- ESPNcricinfo)

Middle-order surge

Batting first, Australia struggled initially, losing three wickets for 26 runs. However, that is when Australia’s middle-order made a late surge with 45 runs from the willow of Michael Bevan, followed by Steve Waugh’s 70 runs. Darren Lehmann added another 70 runs, leading Australia to a defendable target of 272 runs at the expense of nine wickets.

Master Blaster’s epic innings

(Credit- ESPNcricinfo)

India lost Sourav Ganguly from the opening duo, but Sachin Tendulkar was determined to inflict pain on the Aussies, given that in the previous matches he had been dismissed wrongly – the match is infamously known as Sachin Tendulkar’s Operation Desert Storm.

Sachin Tendulkar whooped the likes of Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, and Michael Kasprowicz, continuing his scoring spree in the final with 134 runs off 131 balls at a strike rate of 102.29, which included 12 boundaries and three sixes.

Surprisingly, even in this game, Tendulkar’s dismissal turned out to be a weird one. In the first game, his dismissal was due to a wrong decision; in this match, he himself left the field after an LBW (leg before wicket) appeal, even though it was incorrect.

(Credit- IMDb)

Nonetheless, by the time Tendulkar left, he had done his job, and the game was in India’s grip.

Md. Azharuddin had scored 58 runs, whereas the remaining runs were scored by Ajay Jadeja and Hrishikesh Kanitkar as India chased down the target in 48.3 overs.

Tendulkar’s tournament

Sachin Tendulkar not only scored two consecutive centuries against Australia and won the Player of the Match award in the final but also secured the Player of the Series award. In five innings, the Master Blaster scored 435 runs at an average of 87.00.

18 years later, the victory stands as a reminder of how the Men in Blue fought in the 90s and 2000s despite being an inferior side and managed to beat the mightiest teams, inspiring the next generation of legendary Indian cricketers, who took the baton forward and turned Indian cricket into a giant.