On this day in 2009, Sachin Tendulkar smashed a sensational 175(141), chasing a mammoth total of 351, which ended up in a losing cause. The star batter did his best but could not help India to cross the line. Australia found a way to bypass an all-time great knock like that of Tendulkar and claimed a win by just 3 runs.
Batting first on a good surface in Hyderabad, Australia posted a massive total of 350/4 on the board. Everyone batted well for the visiting side. The opening duo of Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh laid a great platform with their 93(89) and 112(112) respectively. What followed was aggressive knocks from the middle order batters. The skipper Ponting scored 45(45).
The likes of Cameron White and Michael Hussey provided the required impetus to Australia’s innings with their partnership. While White scored 57(33), Hussey remained unbeaten with a score of 31*(22). Except the spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh, other Indian bowlers went for a lot of runs.
Chasing 351, India kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Virender Sehwag did provide a fiery start of 38(30) before disappearing. Batters who followed him could not stay longer in the middle. Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, and MS Dhoni perished early leaving India in tatters at 162/4. At the other end, Sachin Tendulkar batted well. Suresh Raina joined him and helped with a fine 59(59). Harbhajan Singh perished for a duck.
Sachin nearly single handedly got India ahead in the run chase with his 175(141). However, he was dismissed against the run of play. India failed to chase 19 runs in the last 17 balls and ended up losing by 3 runs. Sachin’s exceptional knock went in vain. Clint McKay and Shane Watson starred with the ball for Australia by claiming 3 wickets each. Despite losing the match, Tendulkar bagged the POTM award.
Read More: Sachin Tendulkar’s First Test Century Against England in 1990