Friday turned out to be a day of ecstasy and agony for INDIA. At the start of the fourth day’s play, the entire country was looking forward to SACHIN TENDULKAR to get a historic and unprecedented 100th INTERNATIONAL HUNDREAD. With the master batsman needing another 33 runs and resumed at his overnight67, a nearly packed WANKHANDE STADIUM was buzzing in excitement at the prospect of witnessing history. Tendulkar was pumped up and the lovely footwork, timing and balance set the adrenaline flowing. It seemed the artist was giving finishing touches to a master piece.
After the few minutes, tragedy struck. For the second time in his last 5 innings, TENDULKAR fell to the curse of nineties as he perished to RAVI RAMPAUL for 94 trying to play a square drive to delivery that jumped on him and darted in front just short of a length. The ball kissed the top edge of the bat and flew to DARREN SAMMY at second slip.
As TENDULKAR began the long walk back to the pavilion, with disappointment written all over his face, a stunned silence enveloped the ground. It stayed that way for a while before reality sunk in.
TENDULKAR got his 99th INTERNATIONAL HUNDREAD in the world cup game against S.A at NAGPUR in March this year and his century drought has now extended to 16 innings. The good thing for all TENDULKAR fans is Master is batting as well as ever.
Maybe the little great man is destined to get the landmark in much tougher conditions and against a better attack on the TOUR of AUSTRALIA starting next month.
BEST OF LUCK TENDULKAR FOR YOUR NEXT TOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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