Sachin: A Billion Dreams, 5 sparkling Sachin matches which featured in the movie

#3 India v Pakistan, 2003 World Cup

Winning the World Cup was the ultimate dream of Sachin Tendulkar and to fulfil that in the 2003 World Cup, he tried his best. In a super-six match, India met their arch rivals – Pakistan at Centurion. Just like every other India-Pakistan match, this one was also lived up to the expectations.

Pakistan batted first and scored 273 runs courtesy a century from Saeed Anwar. When Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag walked out to bat, the former decided to take the strike first up. Sehwag had been facing the first ball all this while but Tendulkar was adamant to start.

As beautifully described by Harsha Bhogle in the movie, Tendulkar must have thought he was better off facing the likes of Wasim Akram first up rather than Sehwag.

The move paid rich dividends as he struck Akram for a majestic backfoot punch through the covers to mark his dominance. The match also featured the iconic shot – over the backward point for a six off Shoaib Akhtar. Akram revealed in the movie that he saw Akhtar scared to bowl for the first time in his life.

Tendulkar’s brilliant 98 off just 75 balls helped India get the better of the neighbours once more and he was deservedly adjudged the Man of the Match.