Sachin Tendulkar's batting heroics in ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 not only helped India reach the finals of the tournament, but also showed the world why the Mumbai lad is the best batsman in the world. After a great start at the World Cup in 1992, Sachin enjoyed a highly successful World Cup 1996. However, the 1999 World Cup was not a great one for the master blaster as per his standards. Team India also failed to make it to the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 1999. But all of that changed in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, where the 'God of Cricket' amassed 673 runs and won the Man of the Tournament prize. In this fourth installment of the six-part series on Sachin Tendulkar's World Cup journey, we recall the 2003 World Cup that cemented Sachin's position as the best batsman in the world. Schedule of Team India at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: List of Indian Team’s Matches, Time Table, Date, Venue and Squad Details.
India did not really have a great start at the 2003 World Cup. Team India's campaign began against Netherlands and India could only manage a score of 204 as the team could not even face the full quota of overs. But Sachin hit a half-century in the low scoring game to give India the edge. An inexperienced Netherlands was all out for 136 as India managed to avoid a major embarrassment. Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Special: Remembering Arrival of the Master Blaster at Cricket's Biggest Stage at Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992, Watch Video.
The next match against Australia was a nightmare. India were all out for 125, and only Sachin managed to show some batting capability that day with his patient 36. However, Australia won by 9 wickets and 166 balls remaining as fans back home in India pelted homes of cricketers and burnt effigies. Sachin had to pacify the fans on behalf of team India and the batting great said something to the effect that the team won't let India's head hang in shame. The result thereafter was miraculous. Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Special: Master Blaster Lights-Up Wills World Cup 1996 With His Run Feast, Watch Videos.
India next faced Zimbabwe and Sachin played a masterful knock of 81 to help India to 255/7. Zimbabwe could manage only 172 in reply, as bowlers helped India win the match by 83 runs. The master blaster was adjudged the Man of the Match for his knock. Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Special: Master Blaster Suffers Personal Loss, Returns to Score an Emotional Hundred in 1999 Cricket World Cup; Watch Video.
In the next match vs Namibia, Sachin put up a batting show and indulged fans with his 152 run knock. Even Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly scored a century in this match. Sachin once won the Man of the Match award as India beat Namibia by 181 runs.
Watch Sachin's 152 vs Namibia in ICC Cricket World Cup 2003
India next played England. Sachin once again got India to a good start and scored 50 off 52 balls. In the context of the match, this innings would prove invaluable. India managed a fighting total of 250/9. In reply, England were bowled out for 168 thanks to brilliant bowling by the team and Ashish Nehra's dream spell.
The next match was arguably the most important match of the World Cup, and the most anticipated contest too. India faced arch rivals Pakistan at the Centurion ground on March 1, 2003. Batting first, Pakistan scored 273/7 thanks to Saeed Anwar's ton. India needed 274 to win against a bowling line-up that boasted names like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Abdul Razzak.
India needed Sachin to fire in order to win the watch. And the master blaster did fire and how! Sachin scored a brilliant 98 and set the platform for India's win. His and Sehwag's assault on the Pakistani bowlers in the first 5 overs numbed Wasim Akram and company and sent Indian fans into a frenzy. India won the match by 6 wickets and 26 balls remaining. The master blaster later recalled it the most important innings of his life.
Watch Sachin's 98 vs Pakistan in ICC Cricket World Cup 2003
Indian then went on to play Kenya, Sri Lanka and New Zealand before meeting Kenya again in the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. The master blaster once again played a pivotal role as he scored 97 invaluable runs against Sri Lanka and India won the match comfortably. In the semi-final, the batting legend added to his tally and hit 83 runs in the match. India won the game and reached the finals against Australia. Sachin was dismissed in the first over against Australia in the final, trying to accelerate the scoring on the bowling of Glenn McGrath as India was chasing a mammoth 360 to win. Australia won the match and the World Cup final by 125 runs but Sachin won the hearts and the Man of the Tournament for his exquisite batting that made the World Cup 2003 memorable.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2019 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).