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Another sad chapter for Tendulkar
Observers predict poor show from the master blaster in ODIs too, writes Atul Sondhi.
Phenomenal, but not in Pak
Even his most ardent critics admit that Sachin Tendulkar has been phenomenal. Only that, now the words 'has been' are little more pronounced in any dissection of his batting technique, injury worries, or 'slow' reflexes.
Knowing the calibre of one of the best middle order batsmen in the history of the game, the judgment may be little too harsh, but not entirely out of place if you take Tendulkar's performance against Pakistan in Pakistan. If statistics reveal the entire truth, then the upcoming one-day series is going to be another sad chapter for the maestro.
In the nine ODIs against Pakistan in Pakistan since his one-day debut at Gujranwala in 1989-90, Tendulkar has sorely disappointed, scoring just one century and no fifty. While his career average stands at a respectable 44.01, the master blaster has failed to live up to his reputation against the neighbours, managing just 27 in the nine matches on their home-turf.
Average like Tailender's
To put the things in perspective, let's leave aside Tendulkar's two worst performances -- a debut duck against Pakistan in the 1989-90 series and another duck at Peshawar. Let's also remove from the equation his best, a massive 141 at Rawalpindi in the 2003-04 series. Now, in six matches against Pakistan in Pakistan, Tendulkar averages just 17 - less than half of his career average.
No Show in 2004
India started their historic tour of Pakistan with a match at the troubled port-city of Karachi. The visitors got a terrific start with Sehwag on fire, and Tendulkar batting little too carefully. An opening stand of 69 at a remarkable pace was good enough to propel India to a massive total of 349, which they defended after some heart stopping moments in the last few overs.
But in this win, Tendulkar contributed just 28, while Sehwag, the then Tendulkar's clone outdid him with a cracking 79 off just 57 balls. The innings' backbone was vice-Captain Rahul Dravid, who was unlucky to miss his ton by just one run. The narrow five-run win put India one-up in the series.
In the second match, powered by India's bugbear Shahid Afridi's 80 off just 58 balls and Yaseer Hameed's laboured 86, Pakistan paid back the Karachi compliment. Looking to overhaul a score of 329, Tendulkar, for a change, was on fire from the word go and threatened to take India single-handedly to victory. The visitors lost just three wickets in reaching 200 in 33.1 overs. But, as has been happening of late, Sachin faltered at the doorstep. His terrific 141 at less than run-a-ball was a great treat, but not a winning knock.
The next two matches again saw Tendulkar aggregating just seven runs and the series was dead-locked at 2-2 going into the final do-or-die encounter at Lahore.
In this crunch match, Tendulkar again disappointed scoring just 37 runs. In fact, both the openers were back with only 79 on board. It was only thanks a glorious knock of 107 off just 104 balls by VVS Laxman that India reached a massive total of 293. After Pakistan lost their six wickets before putting even 100 on board, the match and the series was always going to go India's way. Pakistan has made big recoveries mostly in Tests!
Big job for the little man
This time Laxman is not there, Tendulkar of Nazafgarh does not look to be in his element, and Dravid may be too desperate for his own good after the Test Series' loss.
The team must be looking for inspiration from the living legend of the Indian batting. It will be the time to deliver against the old foes in their own land.
The setting can not be better to stand and be counted. But to achieve this, Tendulkar will have to go against the tide of history. The maestro is capable, but does he still have the will?
