BANGALORE, March 25 1998
: Sachin Tendulkar's exceptional brilliance has effectively
crushed Australia's hopes of salvaging anything from the Pepsi
three-Test cricket series. Tendulkar, who has added a new
dimension batting, looks ominous on 117, and with Saurav Ganguly
threatening to make Australia's day on the morrow a miserable
one.
Nothing has gone right for Australia right in the series. They were left wondering what was more oppressive -- the scorching summer heat or the blast from the blade of little maestro. They had no respite from either.
Ironically, the Australian bowlers, who enjoyed a brief spell of ascendancy over the Indian batsmen in the post-lunch session, were laid low by Tendulkar. He made batting look easy. In fact, Shane Warne, for the first time in the series, looked his part as he struck twice in quick succession.
Taylor has been unlucky. He lost a crucial toss on a wicket which is expected to help the Indian spinners extend their supremacy. Though Australia had success very early inthe innings for the first time in the series -- VVS Laxman edging Kasprowicz to Taylor, Sidhu continued to feast on the Australian spinners. He quickly negated the advantage of an early breakthrough for the visitors.
Poor Robertson has no clue to bowling to Indian batsmen. He sent down a miserable first over just before lunch when Sidhu blasted 16 runs. After playing three dot balls, Sidhu stepped out to hoist Robertson for a six followed by a boundary to the mid-wicket fence. He sent high over the sightscreen to bring up his 50 to the last ball of the over.
Sidhu and Rahul Dravid steadily built up a partnership of 85 runs, with Dravid looking as solid as ever. Sidhu appeared keen to destroy the confidence of Robertson. He slammed the bowler for a four before blasting a huge six over mid-wicket in the last ball before lunch.
Warne bothered Sidhu after lunch and bowled him round the legs. That wicket enabled Warne to equal Lance Gibbs' World record for a spin bowler which stood at 309. He went past Gibbs soon after when he bowled Dravid who was surprised by the turn. Dravid, attempting to pad up was castled.
If Australia entertained any hopes of curbing the free-stroking Indian batsmen at that point of time, Tendulkar had other ideas. Tendulkar launched into an onslaught with a series of breathtaking shots which had the Aussie bowlers running for cover.
Tendulkar, who was not yet off the mark when Azharuddin joined him, raced to 94 when Azhar got out for 40, falling to Darren Lehmann. Azhar's attempted sweep saw the ball land in the hands of wicket-keeper Healy and umpire VK Ramaswamy reacted positively to persistent appealing by the Australians after taking his own time to arrive at his decision. The third wicket partnership was worth 139 runs.
Warne commanded the respect of the Indian batsmen only till the advent of Tendulkar. The little master, who is in amazing touch, was not bothered by either the pace or the spin of the Aussie bowlers. He looked so much in command that barring Tendulkargifting his wicket there was no other way of him getting out.
Tendulkar's incredible brilliance made the Aussie attack look pedestrian. He raced to his century pulling Lehmann to the fence. His century came off only 107 balls, with 18 fours and two sixes, underlining his total dominance of the Aussie bowling.