#36AllOut reminded me of a phase in Test cricket when India lost 25 wickets for 224.
We saw it live.
Now, the runs per wicket (8.96) does not match yesterday's 4 (India lost 9 wickets).
But India actually scored 280/19 at Adelaide, so what we had witnessed was worse.
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We saw it live.
Now, the runs per wicket (8.96) does not match yesterday's 4 (India lost 9 wickets).
But India actually scored 280/19 at Adelaide, so what we had witnessed was worse.
+
There was no respite. India were given a relatively easy pitch for the tour match.
Then came Durban.
South Africa were bowled out for 235 on Day 1.
India did not last 40 overs. 100 all out.
South Africa now scored 259.
This time, 66 all out.
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Then came Durban.
South Africa were bowled out for 235 on Day 1.
India did not last 40 overs. 100 all out.
South Africa now scored 259.
This time, 66 all out.
+
And now, Cape Town. This time South Africa declared on 529/7. There were three hundreds.
India became 58/5 on the third morning.
That. Sinking. Feeling.
As was often the case, Tendulkar was holding the fort.
It had been a few months since he had been appointed captain.
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India became 58/5 on the third morning.
That. Sinking. Feeling.
As was often the case, Tendulkar was holding the fort.
It had been a few months since he had been appointed captain.
+
Rifts with the man he replaced at the helm were already circulating on media.
Now that man, Azhar, had walked out to join him.
Azhar's vulnerability against pace and bounce used to be a favourite topic for the media.
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Now that man, Azhar, had walked out to join him.
Azhar's vulnerability against pace and bounce used to be a favourite topic for the media.
+
But he had scored two hundreds – one violent, one masterful – in consecutive Test matches against South Africa, just before the tour.
You can sense the drama.
Two men, reportedly not in the best terms.
One new to captaincy, on his first overseas tour.
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You can sense the drama.
Two men, reportedly not in the best terms.
One new to captaincy, on his first overseas tour.
+
The other, going through a delicate phase on multiple grounds.
India needed them, in tandem, to forge a partnership.
When we discuss great partnerships, we often see one batsman taking charge.
Maybe they switch roles, but is rarely sustained counterattack from both ends.
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India needed them, in tandem, to forge a partnership.
When we discuss great partnerships, we often see one batsman taking charge.
Maybe they switch roles, but is rarely sustained counterattack from both ends.
+
Certainly not against Donald, Pollock, McMillan, and Klusener.
In South Africa.
And Adams.
And fielders capable of converting any half-chance.
After 224/25.
Tendulkar and Azhar added 222 in forty overs.
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In South Africa.
And Adams.
And fielders capable of converting any half-chance.
After 224/25.
Tendulkar and Azhar added 222 in forty overs.
+
Azhar's 115 took him 110 balls. He was run out.
Tendulkar scored 169 in 254 balls. It needed a spectacular catch to get him that day.
One would think you cannot improve on such spectacle, but then, not every display of batsmanship happens with Nelson Mandela at the ground.
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Tendulkar scored 169 in 254 balls. It needed a spectacular catch to get him that day.
One would think you cannot improve on such spectacle, but then, not every display of batsmanship happens with Nelson Mandela at the ground.
+
It was a partnership like none other in history.
It deserved a book.
That book, @SachinAzharCT, will be here on January 25.
*
Preorder amazon.co.uk/dp/1785318195/
Kindle editions are there.
Link for the Indian edition: amazon.in/Sachin-Azhar-C…
Indian print edition will be available.
It deserved a book.
That book, @SachinAzharCT, will be here on January 25.
*
Preorder amazon.co.uk/dp/1785318195/
Kindle editions are there.
Link for the Indian edition: amazon.in/Sachin-Azhar-C…
Indian print edition will be available.
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