Rarely does one see an innings like this being played for a losing cause. But then, there is only so much a wounded, strapped, century-scorer can do under the heat and humid conditions of Chennai against a bowling attack comprised of the then best off-spinner and arguably the best quick bowler of the world.
This was the first test match that Pakistan had played in India for almost 11 years. That combined with the history that the two nations shared, made it a contest to look for.
Pakistan batted first and were bowled out for 238, after being 91/5 at one stage.
In reply, Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for a duck, but the rest of the Indians stuck it there to get the Indians to a meager 16 run-lead.
Pakistan’s second innings was an enigma. Very much like their top-scorer, Shahid Afridi, who blazed away to a 141 out of the team total of 286; one of the best in terms of percentages! Inzamam-ul-Haq scored a century, but Venkatesh Prasad’s six-wicket haul ensured that India’s target was restricted to 271.
India lost two quick wickets on the third day, whereas the fourth day saw Rahul Dravid being worked over by a classic Wasim Akram delivery to reduce India to 50/3. On a pitch that was now dusting and spitting venom, Saqlain Mushtaq got into the act with a couple of quick wickets - Mohammad Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly was unfortunate to be given out, caught off one bounce!
At 82/5 and Sachin Tendulkar at the crease, it was the side’s only hope. And Tendulkar almost lived up to that by getting together with wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia and thwarting the Pakistanis as much they could. They attacked the spinners, took the singles when the field was defensive, and for almost three hours they kept bringing the Indians back into the game.
At one stage, India needed only 53 runs for a win with both the batsmen at the crease. Tendulkar was heavily cramping, and kept bending his back to relieve himself from the pain that his back trouble had caused. Mongia got out, but Tendulkar soldiered on manfully, to get to within 17 runs of the win. It was then the exhaustion got to him and he played a rather rash stroke to Mushtaq and was caught.
With the Pakistanis rejuvenated, they went for the jugular and the last three wickets were removed for a further of four runs to win the game by a slender margin of 12 runs. Tendulkar had scored 136 and was declared the man-of-the-match for what many believe was his best ever innings in test match cricket.
Yet, the Indians lost the game!
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