On This Day In 1998: Sachin Tendulkar Counters Shane Warne’s Spin To Score Unbeaten 155 Against Australia
On this day in 1998, Sachin Tendulkar scored 155 runs against Australia in Chennai, leading India to a 179-run win. His mastery over Shane Warne's spin was key to India's 2-1 series victory.
On This Day In 1998: Over two decades ago, Sachin Tendulkar produced one of his finest Test knocks against Australia. He scored 155 runs against a Mark Taylor-led side in Chennai. Sachin’s massive knock came during the first Test of the 1998 Australia’s Tour of India.
The Master Blaster smashed 14 boundaries and four sixes to help the hosts register a dominant 179-run win. He was awarded the Player of the Match as India took a series lead early. Moreover, Sachin’s mastery over Shane Warne’s spin made the headlines.
related stories
The Indian batter had adapted superbly to counter the rough patches on Indian pitches, neutralising the turn.
When Australia were about to tour India in 1998, the series was seen as a battle between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne. It was almost certain that whichever player won the battle would also win the series for his country.
The Sachin vs Warne rivalry began with the Indian batter scoring an unbeaten 148 in the Aussie spinner’s Test debut. Warnie, however, had improved his performances greatly to become one of the world’s best leg-spinners by 1998.
The opening Test of the three-match series commenced on March 6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. India batted first and scored 257 runs in the first innings with Nayan Mongia, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Rahul Dravid scoring half-centuries.
The Mohammad Azharuddin-led side failed to stem the flow of runs during India’s first bowling display in Chepauk as Australia secured a narrow lead.
Sachin Tendulkar stole the show in the second innings, forming partnerships with Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin. The Master Blaster scored a half-century before lunchtime on Day 4.
He was well set when Shane Warne came around the wicket to bowl. Having learned from his first innings failure, Sachin countered the fierce Aussie spinner by repeatedly smashing his deliveries to the mid-wicket fence.
The Indian batter’s strategy was clear as he made use of his sharp footwork to either play Warne on the full or cut the ball while rocking back. Having neutralised Warne’s spin, Sachin helped India add 418 runs on the board before declaring.
The 348-run target eventually proved too much for Australia, who were bundled out for 168. Sachin’s knock set the tone for the series that India went on to win 2-1.
After the tour’s conclusion, Shane Warne famously admitted to having nightmares about bowling to Tendulkar. He further claimed his battle against Sachin was one of the more challenging experiences of his international career.
- Location :
- First Published: