5 epic ODI innings by Tendulkar while chasing that went in vain

#2 143 (131) vs Australia at Sharjah - Coca-Cola Cup (1998)

Sachin's 142

Helped by Mark Waugh' s 81 at the top and Michael Bevan's century in the middle, Australia finished with 284/7. At the outset of India's innings, they needed 254 runs to go past New Zealand's net run rate and qualify for the final. However, later in India's innings, a desert storm struck and India's revised targets were 276 runs in 46 overs for victory and 237 runs in 46 overs to qualify for the final.

India began their innings with Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, who was at his sublime best in 1998. With a little support from the other end, Tendulkar kept on building the innings. However, when India lost Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja in quick succession, Tendulkar changed the gear and brutally blistered the Aussie attack.

He added 104 runs with VVS Laxman, with Laxman being merely a spectator from the other end. By the time Tendulkar finally departed, the score was 242/5 in 43 overs and India had already qualified for the final. 2 days later, Tendulkar hit a century on his birthday and clinched the trophy for India.