Two weeks ago, the crowd at the Wankhede was delirious though a fervently anticipated Sachin Tendulkar century didn't materialise. On Friday, the crowd at the Wankhede was dejected despite Tendulkar crafting a century, as Kochi Kerala Tuskers busted their party with one of the most memorable chases in IPL history.
Sachin Tendulkar checked off another item on his ever-shrinking to-do list with his first century in Twenty20s. Tendulkar had combined power and placement to reach a memorable century. It, however, came after a nervy start: Tendulkar was nearly run out on 0, umpire Paul Reiffel turned down two lbw appeals from Vinay Kumar which should have been given. There was also a close call for caught behind, and an outside edge off Thisara Perera that just beat the keeper. These scares apart, Tendulkar never looked in trouble and wasn't put under any pressure by Kochi Tuskers' bowlers, and he even pulled out a helicopter shot towards the end of Mumbai Indians' innings - perhaps now KP's switch hit and the Dilscoop are left!
Sachin Tendulkar checked off another item on his ever-shrinking to-do list with his first century in Twenty20s. Tendulkar had combined power and placement to reach a memorable century. It, however, came after a nervy start: Tendulkar was nearly run out on 0, umpire Paul Reiffel turned down two lbw appeals from Vinay Kumar which should have been given. There was also a close call for caught behind, and an outside edge off Thisara Perera that just beat the keeper. These scares apart, Tendulkar never looked in trouble and wasn't put under any pressure by Kochi Tuskers' bowlers, and he even pulled out a helicopter shot towards the end of Mumbai Indians' innings - perhaps now KP's switch hit and the Dilscoop are left!
Tendulkar took 43 balls to reach 50 and the final five overs turned into a Tendulkar show as he plundered 45 runs. Tendulkar showed how he could finesse the ball or force it depending on his mood: in the 16th over, a short ball on legstump was helped over fine leg for six, and a length ball outside off was pummelled over long-on for six more as 20 came off the over. A helicopter shot for four (eat your heart out MSD!) and a slugged six over midwicket took him to 90 after 19 overs.
Tendulkar proceeded to paddle a four past short fine leg, and bludgeon another past long-on before reaching his ton with a push to cover off the final delivery of the innings. Tendulkar reached his century off the last ball of Mumbai Indians' innings to remain unbeaten on 100 (66 balls, 12x4, 3x6). Tendulkar, who has now scored 201 runs in IPL-4 without being dismissed once also wrested away the Orange Cap from Kolkata Knight Riders' Jacques Kallis (187 runs).
The decibel level shot up in the Wankhede but it was a muted celebration from Tendulkar on reaching the milestone. Unfortunately, neither he nor the crowd were celebrating at the end of the game.
So, first a Poila Boishak gift to Bongs by KKR and now a Vishu gift by KTK to Mallus - quite a festive evening of crickentertainment indeed! Not often that Sachincredible batting is in vain... never mind, another item ticked off the list. Now centuries in all forms of the game!
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