Sachin Tendulkar is featuring in his 199th Eden Gardens in Kolkata, one of the best cricket grounds in India. On the occasion, we look back at some special moments the master blaster has had at the historic venue.
Overall record: Sachin Tendulkar has featured in 12 Tests at the venue and has scored 862 runs at an average of 48 with two hundreds. He has also picked up four wickets while averaging 36, and has taken three catches as a fielder.
106 vs South Africa: Sachin made a good supporting hundred during the Kolkata Tests in February 2010, in a tightly contested series. South Africa had batted first in the game, and in spite of hundreds from Amla and Alviro Petersen folded up for 296, with Zaheer Khan picking up four and Harbhajan Singh three. Tendulkar then featured in a marvellous partnership with Virender Sehwag, as they took the score from 82 for 2 to 331 for 3. While Sehwag was the aggressor, Tendulkar sedately hit 106 from 206 deliveries. He managed 12 glorious boundaries during the knock, which set up the victory nicely for India. He was eventually dismissed by left-arm spinner Paul Harris.
Tendulkar’s ton in this match is pretty much forgotten since there were many other memorable contributions. Sehwag smashed 165 with the aid of 23 fours and 2 sixes, VVS Laxman remained unbeaten on 143 at his favourite venue, and skipper MS Dhoni also chipped in with an unbeaten 132. India declared on 643 for 6 and Harbhajan’s five-for in the second innings took them to a fine innings win.
176 vs West Indies: Sachin Tendulkar’s first hundred at the venue came back in October-November 2002. In India’s second innings in the high-scoring match, Tendulkar came up with 176 from 298 balls with the help of 26 boundaries. As often in the past, India were in trouble in this game as well, having lost four wickets, including their skipper Sourav Ganguly, with 87 runs on the board. Again, Tendulkar featured in a big partnership with VVS Laxman, who again remained unbeaten on a sublime 154, an innings jewelled with 17 fours. India had batted first in the innings, and managed a decent 358, with Sanjay Bangar making 77. Windies made 497 in reply; Wavell Hinds, Shivnarine Chanderpual and Marlon Samuels all notching up centuries. The Test ended in a draw, following Tendulkar and Laxman’s heroics.
3/31 vs Australia: The Kolkata Test of 2001 against Australia is remembered as the VVS Laxman Test for obvious reasons. While Tendulkar failed with the bat in both the innings, he made a significant contribution with the ball on the final day of the pulsating Test. Chasing a huge 384, Australia seemed to be heading towards safety when Tendulkar struck thrice in quick succession. He first sent back Adam Gilchrist for a duck, then dismissed a set Hayden for 67 and added Shane Warne’s scalp also for a duck. India went on to win the Test by 171 runs. --By A Cricket Analyst
