Greatest ODI innings by Indian batsmen post-2000 that wasn't a century

#3 Sachin Tendulkar's 91 vs Australia

Tendulkar's 91 was instrumental in India's maiden ODI series victory in Australia

After having endured a difficult Test series including being at the end of some dubious umpiring decisions in Sydney and the monkey-gate controversy, team India was looking to make a mark in the limited-overs leg of the tour. Having made their way into the finals of the tri-series (with Sri Lanka being the third team), India managed to 1-0 in the best of three finals thanks to Sachin Tendulkar's century in the first final.

Having won the toss and deciding to bat first, India was off to a solid opening start of 94 between Sachin and Uthappa before the latter fell. Tendulkar, though, continued to play his shots and keep the momentum going. He was given able support by the middle order, especially Yuvraj and Dhoni.

Tendulkar eventually fell for 91, agonizingly short of a well deserved century. It was an uncharacteristic Tendulkar innings though, coming at a paltry strike rate of 75.20. Nevertheless, it was an extremely important innings considering the fact that barring Tendulkar, none of the other batsmen managed to cross 40.

India eventually went on the win the match and the series and Praveen Kumar was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match for his four-wicket haul. However, it was Tendulkar's 91 which laid the base for India's first and only ever ODI series victory on Australian soil.