Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's Test hundreds: Centuries 6-10

#2. 7th century- 142 against Sri Lanka at Lucknow, 1994

Tendulkar's 7th Test hundred helped India reach a strong total in their first innings

Following India’s successful Tour of Sri Lanka in mid-1993, they would host Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series in early 1994. The first of the three Test matches was held at the KD Singh Babu Stadium in Lucknow, which was also the last match to be played here.

India opted to bat first and had a good start before losing Manoj Prabhakar and Vinod Kambli in quick succession. Sachin Tendulkar came in to join Navjot Singh Sidhu. Both batsmen were seeing off the Lankan bowlers in their own ways. While Sidhu often went for the sixes, Tendulkar was dealing only in boundaries.

With sublime timing and footwork, he was a treat to watch for the crowd. He added 121 for the third wicket alongside Sidhu who was later dismissed for 124. Following Sidhu’s dismissal Tendulkar continued to smash fours against the likes of Muralitharan, Anurasiri and WIckremasinghe who were literally left clueless. He reached his hundred and was looking for more.

Tendulkar finally perished for 142 from 224 deliveries, hitting 22 fours. India ended their first innings at 511. Thanks to Anil Kumble’s brilliant bowling, India registered an innings victory over Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, Sachin Tendulkar’s fantastic century was instrumental in putting India in a strong position in their first innings.