The Sydney Test in 2004 was supposed to be Steve Waugh's farewell party. But it was Sachin Tendulkar who stole the thunder.
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For all the Indian batters struggling in the current Test series against Australia, Sachin's innings was a lesson on how to graft and tire out the opposition.
He cut off all his play outside the off-stump and put his head down. He had a bad series till then and was ready to make this count.
AFP
Slowly the runs began to flow and the 353 runs he put on with VVS Laxman (178) for the 4th wicket knocked the stuffing out of Australia.
Sachin finished with 241 as India amassed 705/7, their highest total at that time. His knock came in 436 balls and contained 33 fours.
The match ended in a draw but Sachin owned Sydney that day and even 18 years later, fans of both teams remember the brilliant innings.?
It was a good start to the year for Sachin, who would go on to play for almost another decade. By the time he retired from Tests. he had the most runs, matches, 100s and 50s under his belt.?
The man has 51 Test hundreds to his name. Many of them are really special. But this stands out for a different reason.
Sachin did not play a single off side shot, curbed his instincts for the sake of the side. It would he his highest Test score until his 248 not out vs Bangladesh towards the end of the same year.?
Australia has always been a happy hunting ground for Sachin and he ensured he would end this series on a good note as well. He had a chance to bat again and made 60 not out. With over 300 runs without being dismissed in the game. Sachin stamped his class Down Under.?