Sachin Tendulkar vs Shane Warne - A Duel That Made Cricket Worth Watching
Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne are two of the greatest cricketers of the past two decades. The two have fought enduring battles on the pitch which have become part of cricket folklore. Warne drew first blood by having the batting master caught for four in the slips then he ran through the middle order to restrict India to 257 in their first innings. In reply India made 328 helped by Ian Healys 90 and it was the batsman who came out on top.
The battle between the bat and ball has always fascinated, but none more so than between two legendary players - Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.
Both have immense respect for each other's careers, but when the two went out on the pitch, their rivalry was a mouthwatering proposition. One of the greatest ever batsmen and bowler, the two enjoyed illustrious time on the cricket field.
Right from Sydney in January 1992, when Warne made his Test debut in the third match of the series in which Tendulkar smashed an unbeaten 148, to the numerous T20 matches in the Indian Premier League, the two greatest cricketers of the past two decades have fought enduring battles on the pitch which have become part of cricket folklore.
Sachin Tendulkar and spin king Shane Warne gave us many epic battles. But in 1998 at the Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Warne drew first blood by having the batting master caught for four in the slips, then he ran through the middle order to restrict India to 257 in their first innings. In reply, Australia made 328, helped by Ian Healy¡¯s 90.
This set the stage for Warne v Tendulkar round two, and it was the batsman who came out on top on a dusty, spin-friendly wicket. He produced one of his most dazzling innings, taking apart Warne and fellow spinner Gavin Robertson in a magnificent unbeaten 155 from 191 balls that changed the course of the match.
In the ODIs as well, the Warne-Tendulkar duel was a exciting affair. In 1996 World Cup, Tendulkar's combative 90 he doled out against Australia. India were 6 for 2 after seven overs, but before the end of 11th over, India's scoreboard read 50, with Tendulkar unbeaten on 41 off 35 balls.
To dislodge McGrath off his rhythm was important before the metronomic pacer could dictate terms. His first three overs were maidens, and next five produced 48 runs, including a 14-run over that comprised an outworldly pick-up shot that went over wide long on, almost cow corner, as the champion batsman launched a thunderous counter-attack.
Gosh, these battles were something else. The magical Tendulkar versus the wizard Warne.
