Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's Test hundreds: Centuries 21-25

#4: 22nd Century – 116 against Australia at Melbourne, 1999

Tendulkar was the only batsman who looked comfortable in the middle.

In December 1999, India toured Australia after eight years. Australia can be a tough place to tour as India found out in 1991/92.

Tendulkar in his first tour down under was a star as he scored a couple of fantastic hundreds (148* at the SCG and 114 at the WACA). But this time, he was the captain and India were in seek of their maiden Test series win on Australian soil. Sachin started the series with a 61 and a duck in the first Test (which India lost).

In the second Test, India won the toss and opted to bowl first in overcast conditions. The Aussies dominated as Slater (91), Ponting (67) and Gilchrist (78) struck fifties and along with some notable lower-order contributions from Lee and Fleming helped the hosts post 405.

In the first Test, the Indian batsmen had failed miserably as they could only manage 395 runs across the two innings. Thus, the onus was on the batsmen to stand-up and deliver. However, a similar pattern seemed to follow even at the MCG in reply to the hosts’ 405.

Captain Tendulkar walked out to bat with India in deep trouble at 11/2 in the 7th over. He weathered the early storm and then found ways to score crucial runs and counter the pace trio of McGrath, Fleming and Lee along with Warne.

Tendulkar was one Indian batsman who looked settled as all other batsmen fell like a pack of cards as India were bundled out for 238. The 116 that India’s skipper scored was a standout mainly because India’s next best score was 31 in that innings.

In the second essay as well, Tendulkar top-scored with 52 as India lost by 180 runs. Even though India lost the game, their skipper was awarded the Man of the Match as he was the only centurion of the match.