Top 5 innings played by Indian batsmen against Australia

#1 Sachin Tendulkar- 143 at Sharjah, 1998

Australia did everything right on the night of April 22, 1998, at Sharjah, except for one thing. First, they scored a mountain of runs and then bowled effectively to strangle Indian batsmen.

They eventually won the game, but the world 's best bowling attack failed to keep in check only one Indian batsman and this shortcoming allowed India to sneak in the finals of the Coca-cola cup, despite losing the match.

In simple terms it was one versus eleven. In a do or die game, while chasing a mammoth total, Indian batsmen imploded in front of the dominating Aussie bowling attack. But Sachin Tendulkar stood tall amidst the despair and produced one of the best counter-attacks in ODI cricket.

On that night, the Little Master was at his best. Along with his trademark drives and cuts that pierced the fielders to perfection, there were audacious pulls and authoritative whips on the leg-side.

The Indian batsman spared no-one and was especially brutal against Shane Warne.The battle between the two maestros reached its pinnacle during this game and Sachin stamped his dominance by thrashing the leg-spinner in the mid-wicket stand.

The sight of Sachin dancing down the track, exposing his stumps and launching Warne into the orbit is how this Sharjah desert storm is remembered by cricket fans.

This innings added immensely to Sachin's legendary status.