January 31, 1999.
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.
India versus Pakistan.
First Test – Day 4.
India chasing 271 to win in second innings in a full capacity crowd in MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.
Pakistani national cricket team was touring India after more than a decade. The regular tours between worlds’ two most hostile nations could not happen since many reasons had resumed again. India’s pride was at stake and it’s obvious that, we wanted the glory to be ours in the inaugural match.
We had few of world’s greatest players on our side.
Greatest ever batsman world has ever seen after Sir. Don Bradman – Sachin Tendulkar.
Greatest leggie the world has seen : The gentlemen cricketer Anil Kumble.
Best fast bowler India had produced after Kapil Dev : Javagal Srinath.
Young and promising batsmen who proved their might later: Saurav and Rahul.
And one captain who wanted to prove that he was still the best : Mohammad Azaruddin.
India’s second innings was shattered with early wickets and in no time our score was reduced to 5 for 82. It took master blaster to take control along with Nayan Mongia to wage a fight back against Pakis. India was in quest for what would be hailed as historic victory, but Wasim Akram had other plans.
Akram was building pressure by continuously appealing. It seemed to be a lone battle between Sachin and duo Wasim and Saqlain Mushtaq after Mongia went for well played 52 as India were 6 for 218. With hurt back, waged a lone battle. When it was 254, a misjudged shot of a flighted delivery by Saqlain Mushtaq did the trick. Ball went up in air, and Wasim Akram made no mistake in accepting the catch. As tearful Sachin walked out of ground, Pakis knew they had won the battle. Another 4 runs is what tail ender could add and Pakistan won the match by 12 runs.
Most of Indian supporters shell shocked with what was supposed to be an Indian victory. Even Man of the match award for Sachin did not console.
India had lost the match.
After 9 years….
December 15, 2008
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.
India versus England.
First Test – Day 5.
….. A bunch of young boys under a few test old captain with couple of veteran cricketers who were taking on English team.
India chasing 387 to win in second innings.
The past memories of India versus Pakistan match were still afresh. But all was just a text book end to the match. It again took a mammoth effort by Sachin Tendulkar (103*) and Yuvraj Singh (85*) to register a 1-0 lead in 2 test series against visiting English team.
India wins by 6 wickets, 4th highest total ever chased.
Again Sachin was Man of the match.
This time there were no tears, victory was good, though it failed to erase those bad 1999 memories, and it was a consolation for us.
Cheers
Dinesh
The real world.. 