Sachin Tendulkar: Revisiting the double hundreds of the Master Blaster

#4 241 not out vs Australia, 2^nd January 2004

The first of two double centuries against Australia came in 2004

Considered by many as his finest innings, his 241 unbeaten runs came off 436 deliveries with 33 boundaries at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Coming into the match, Tendulkar had only managed 82 runs in 5 innings in that tour, and was found wanting outside the off stump.

This innings is known for Sachin’s monk-like focus, as he didn’t hit a single cover drive throughout the innings, leaving the balls outside the off stump unthreateningly to the wicket-keeper’s gloves. He played with a straighter bat and used his wrist to find gaps on the on-side. He battled on for more than 10 hours, in a show of discipline that would have had poems written about.

He was involved in a dazzling partnership of 353 runs with VVS Laxman as India amassed 705/7 declared. The match though ended in a tame draw, but it will be forever remembered for Sachin’s masterly innings sans his usual masterly shots, redeeming his position as one of the very best.