13 performances that gave Sachin Tendulkar 'The God of Cricket' status (Pre-2000)

Cape Town 1997

Sachin played a sensational inning against a world-class bowling attack at Cape Town in 1997.

In his first overseas tour as India's Test captain, Sachin was facing a more experienced and even stronger South African side this time - with the infusion of future greats such as Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock.

India had a tough time in the first match, and South Africa declared for a mammoth total of 521 in the first innings of the second Test. Half of the Indian team was back in the pavilion with the score at just 58. Mohammad Azharuddin, next man in, decided to counter-attack.

Sachin played his natural game and was happy to play second fiddle. Azhar scored 115 before being run out after a 222-run partnership with Sachin. Sachin had to attack now, and he did so by cutting and pulling even the likes of Alan Donald and Shaun Pollock in all their pace and glory.

Sachin's 169 pulled India out of a probable follow-on situation. Once the threat of the follow-on was out of the way, Sachin decided to attack further, pulling Brian McMillan almost to the boundary, if it were not for one of the catches of the decade - by Adam Bacher at mid-wicket.