India vs Australia : Five greatest ODIs of all time

2. Fifth ODI, Hyderabad, November 2009 (Sachin’s 175)

For once, the Little Master had an opportunity to pull off an incredible chase on his own. He came tantalisingly close, but succumbed to the pressure just as India were beginning to smell victory. The remaining batsmen choked, and Australia managed to pull off an upset win.

Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh laid the foundation for a mammoth total, with the latter scoring his maiden ODI hundred. Australia was further bolstered by a buccaneering innings from Cameron White, whose quickfire half century took them to 350.

Having lost five batting partners with less than half the required runs on the board, Sachin finally found an able ally in Suresh Raina. The two took no undue risks, despite being dropped three times. They brought the equation down to 52 runs from the last eight overs when Watson dismissed Raina with a short delivery.

But the maestro kept going, despite losing Harbhajan Singh in the same over. He combined with Ravindra Jadeja and reached his 150, looking absolutely assured and determined to steer his side home.

And then Victorian debutant Clint McKay broke a million hearts – he sent down a slower delivery that Tendulkar tried to paddle –sweep over short fine leg, but Nathan Hauritz stood in the way, and held on to the ball. Shocked into sepulchral silence, the crowd stood still for one whole minute before according the veteran batsman a standing ovation.

The end came swiftly after his departure, and India surrendered the series lead.