BSH NEWS
India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar can be credited with bringing in a revolution in the country’s white-ball format since he started opening for the team in 1994. He was probably the first batter from India who took advantage of the 15-over field restrictions at the time. However, the legend has picked one particular ODI vs Zimbabwe that he thinks helped reshape India’s white-ball cricket.
India played their first ODI in 1974 and was quite unimpressive, winning one match in the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979. However, the 1983 World Cup win under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, ignited the fire of playing cricket under many youths, with Tendulkar himself admitting that it was India’s win at the 1983 World Cup that triggered his ambition of being a cricketer.
Tendulkar himself realized his own dream of winning the World Cup in 2011 when India lifted the trophy at his home ground in Mumbai. However, the legend has pointed out one particular ODI match which he credits to changing the thinking of the Indian team with respect to the limited-overs cricket.
We Needed 241 In 40.5 Overs. Closed The Game In 38: Sachin Tendulkar Recalls 1997 ODI Vs Zimbabwe
This particular ODI was played in 1997 as India faced Zimbabwe in the final league match of a tri-series also involving South Africa. The match was played in Benoni and Zimbabwe batting first had put on 240/8 in 50 overs, with 86 from Alastair Campbell.
India needed to reach the target before the 41st over to beat Zimbabwe on net run rate and qualify for the finals, which it did thanks to Tendulkar’s 104 in 97 balls and Ajay Jadeja’s 56* with Robin Singh making 38* as well. India reached the target in 39.2 overs with 6 wickets to spare.
“We needed to get the target of 241 runs against Zimbabwe in 40.5 overs to make the final of that tri-series which also involved South Africa. Zimbabwe were two points ahead of us, so we needed to qualify for the final on the basis of a better net run rate. We eventually closed that game in about 38 overs (39.2).
I scored a hundred (104). Zimbabwe was a much better team [then], formidable at the time, and the outfield was laden with thick grass. Hence, I feel it was an important game that comes to my mind straightway,” Tendulkar had told ESPNCricinfo.
“I also watched the World Championship of Cricket final in Australia. But 1983 World Cup final was the turning point of my life. That motivated me a lot. Till then cricket was played for fun, but after that I played cricket with purpose. When you win a World Cup nothing matches that. The best day of my cricketing career,” added Tendulkar.
Sachin Tendulkar won the Player of the Tournament in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and scored two centuries in India’s 2011 World cup winning run.