logo
IND vs ENG: Sachin Tendulkar explains why 2008 Chepauk ton against England is the ‘most meaningful' of his 100 centuries

IND vs ENG: Sachin Tendulkar explains why 2008 Chepauk ton against England is the ‘most meaningful' of his 100 centuries

Indian Express20-06-2025
Having scored 100 centuries in a decorated international career, Sachin Tendulkar often gets asked about his best knocks, most favourite tons and what not. But the one that holds a very special place in his heart, as he has often mentioned in the past, in the fourth-inning century in Chennai against England in December 2008, not long after the terror strikes in Mumbai that shook the nation.
In an interview with Sky Cricket, while unveiling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy for the India vs England Test series coming up, the Master Blaster said that ton at Chepauk in an epic run-chase is the 'most meaningful' of his career, for the context around it.
'I still remember post that match, when we were sitting in the dressing room, we could not believe that we had won the game from that position we were in for 3 days, and considering how the mental state was… not just the cricket team but the entire nation. I mean it was very, very fragile, we were not in the right frame of mind to play test cricket. When the match got over, I felt it was the most meaningful hundred of my life. I don't think there has been any hundred that has meant more to me,' Tendulkar told former England captain Mike Atherton, seated next to James Anderson.
England elected to bat first and put up a solid 316 on board, riding on Andrew Strauss' 123 and half centuries from Alastair Cook and Matt Prior lower down the order. India's reply got off to a poor start as they found themselves 37/3 in no time. A 7th wicket partnership 85 runs between captain MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh added some respectability to India's first innings total but they were bundled out for 241. Strauss once again led the way for England with a second innings century as well, and Paul Collingwood too scored a ton in the middle order as their 4th wicket stand in excess of 200 all but batted India out of the match. But a late three-wicket burst from Zaheer Khan meant India were able to find some momentum back into the match. A target of 387 was still a massive ask on a Chepauk pitch that gets increasingly difficult to bat on and a world-class bowling unit like the one England had. And then England were hit by a Virender Sehwag special.
'For the first three and a half days thought we were playing a catching-up game and then suddenly we started picking wickets. Zaheeer got three. Then just towards the end of the day's play, in about 90 minutes or so, Sehwag went berserk, he played some incredible shots. On that track, I felt England had possibly the best bowling attack. It was Jimmy, Harmison, Flintoff, Panesar, and Swann. So, they had everything covered and the ball turned on the last day, so to chase wasn't wasn't an easy task, especially against a world-class attack. But we got into some good partnerships and then we finished really strong with Yuvi and I scoring the runs,' the former India captain, who was not out on 103 at the end, said. Sehwag's 83 set up the chase, along with a solid 66 from current India coach Gautam Gambhir at the top of the order. Then Tendulkar and Yuvraj's unbeaten 5th wicket stand of 163 runs took India home. To this date, it is India's second-highest successful run-case in Test cricket history.
Tendulkar also thanked England for their decision to go ahead with the two-match Test series, after the events in Mumbai. 'After that terrorist strike, the series was put on hold. I remember England traveling to Dubai where they were based for four or five days and very graciously they decided to come back. Thanks to ECB. I want to officially go on record wanting to thank ECB on behalf of all the Indian well-wishers of Indian cricket. That was very much needed for Indian cricket for the English team to return back to India and play the series. It meant a lot to all of us.'
Interview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH6F6P8qAvU
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kapil Dev on Bumrah retirement rumours: 'He shouldn't retire at all'
Kapil Dev on Bumrah retirement rumours: 'He shouldn't retire at all'

Business Standard

time10 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

Kapil Dev on Bumrah retirement rumours: 'He shouldn't retire at all'

While talks continue around India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's Test cricket future and whether or not the 31-year-old is nearing the end of his red-ball career, former India captain Kapil Dev has also weighed in on the topic. With Bumrah missing out on a few Tests due to workload management after returning from a long injury layoff, Kapil dismissed the ongoing speculation. He encouraged Bumrah to play freely without being burdened by such thoughts, though he did acknowledge the physical strain Bumrah endures for the team. "The times have changed; their bodies are different, and they work differently, so it's hard to judge one person. Yes, he is one of the finest bowlers. We never thought he would play for such a long time because he puts so much stress on his body. Still, he is contributing to the team. Hats off to him. As a spectator and a lover of the game, I would say that he shouldn't retire at all, but everyone has to go one day." Mohammad Kaif on Bumrah's Test future Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif had earlier raised questions about Jasprit Bumrah's Test future, hinting that the fast bowler could be the next senior player to step away from the format following Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. In a video posted on his verified X account, Kaif pointed to Bumrah's physical struggles, particularly after a lacklustre outing on Day 3 of the fourth Test against England, where he claimed just one wicket across 28 overs. 'Given the situation, I wouldn't be surprised if Bumrah retires from Test cricket soon. With Rohit, Virat, and Ashwin already stepping aside, Bumrah might be next,' Kaif said. 'I really hope that's not the case, but he doesn't seem at ease. The intent is still there, but his body looks like it's wearing down.' Bumrah not the main guy anymore? Playing his third Test match in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Bumrah is evidently not at his best for Team India, with the pacer conceding 100 runs in a Test innings for the first time in his career when England posted 669 in Manchester. While his economy rate suffered, his speeds too weren't at optimal levels. Taking all three Tests Bumrah has played in this series into account, the pacer couldn't breach the 140 kph mark even once during the Old Trafford Test. In contrast, the other two Tests he featured in delivered far more promising figures. Bumrah bowled 40% of his deliveries above the 140 kph mark at Headingley (1st Test), while the Lord's Test (3rd Test) saw him bowl 27% of his deliveries above that mark, showing a clear decline as the series progressed. Team India's Test results with and without Bumrah Since Jasprit Bumrah's arrival on the Test scene, he has been India's pace spearhead across formats. However, surprisingly, the team's performance in his absence presents a more successful picture, at least on paper. India's Test Results Since Jasprit Bumrah's Debut Category With Bumrah Without Bumrah Tests Played 46 27 Wins 20 19 Losses 22 5 Draws 5 3 Win Rate 43.00% 70.00% In the 46 Tests Bumrah has featured in, India has won 20, recording a win rate of just 43%. By contrast, in the 27 Tests he has missed, India has won 19, with a remarkable win rate of 70%, and suffered only five defeats. This unexpected trend raises intriguing questions. Is Bumrah's absence coinciding with weaker opposition or more favourable home conditions? Or does his presence often align with tougher overseas assignments where India's win probability naturally drops? Despite what the numbers suggest, Bumrah's impact often transcends the scoreboard, with the pacer delivering match-defining spells, especially abroad. However, this data challenges the notion that his presence alone boosts India's success rate. It highlights the collective nature of Test cricket, where one star player cannot always influence outcomes single-handedly. Nonetheless, Jasprit Bumrah remains India's most feared weapon, just not their luckiest charm, statistically speaking.

Virat Kohli's brother takes dig at India's bowling flop show in Manchester Test
Virat Kohli's brother takes dig at India's bowling flop show in Manchester Test

India Today

time21 minutes ago

  • India Today

Virat Kohli's brother takes dig at India's bowling flop show in Manchester Test

Former India Test captain Virat Kohli's brother, Vikas Kohli, appeared to take a swipe at India's bowling unit during the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, suggesting a decline in the team's ability to consistently take 20 wickets — a trait strongly associated with his brother's tenure as social media post came shortly after India conceded 669 runs in England's first innings at Old Trafford, long ago, we had a Test team where our bowlers used to take 20 wickets," he said. Jasprit Bumrah had an off day, conceding over 100 runs in an innings for the first time in his Test career. Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets but gave away 143 runs, while Mohammed Siraj bowled 30 overs for 140 runs. Shardul Thakur and debutant Anshul Kamboj bowled a combined 29 overs out of the 157.1 India spent in the field — a figure that underscores their ineffective bowling lack of impact was further compounded by the absence of support from the rest of the attack. England built a massive 311-run lead, exposing India's failure to bowl out teams consistently — an issue that has plagued the side during Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach.A major talking point has been India's continued preference for all-rounders over specialist bowlers. Despite bouncing back in Birmingham after the loss in Leeds, India suffered a 22-run defeat at Lord's and again looked short of cutting edge in Manchester. The decision to hand a debut to Anshul Kamboj proved costly, as the youngster struggled to cross even 130 kph, looking underprepared for the occasion.| Manchester Test Day 4 Updates |Under Gambhir's leadership, first with Rohit Sharma as captain and now with Shubman Gill, India have persisted with an extended batting line-up featuring multiple all-rounders, often at the cost of playing five frontline bowlers. This is in stark contrast to the philosophy employed by Virat Kohli, who was known for backing specialist bowlers — even if it meant sacrificing a approach reaped rewards, particularly overseas, as India won two Test series in Australia and dominated England in the 2021–22 series. Kohli ended up as India's most successful Test captain, winning 40 off 68 Tests he led India has also been levelled at India's reluctance to play Kuldeep Yadav, a proven wicket-taker across formats. Former England captain Michael Vaughan remarked that Kuldeep might have proved effective in Manchester, where conditions offered more to spinners than in the previous decision to lengthen the batting line-up hasn't yielded the desired dividends either. India have repeatedly suffered lower-order collapses, including in Manchester, where the final four wickets added just 21 runs.- EndsTune InYou May Also Like

Will Rishabh Pant Bat On Day 5 Of Manchester Test? Batting Coach Gives Big Update
Will Rishabh Pant Bat On Day 5 Of Manchester Test? Batting Coach Gives Big Update

News18

time24 minutes ago

  • News18

Will Rishabh Pant Bat On Day 5 Of Manchester Test? Batting Coach Gives Big Update

Last Updated: Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has confirmed Rishabh Pant will bat on the final day of the Manchester Test. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will take the crease, if needed, on the final day of the fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test in Manchester. Pant was diagnosed with a metatarsal fracture after being hit on the right foot by England pacer Chris Woakes on the first day of the Test. He has been advised to rest for six weeks, and while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s medical team has asked him not to keep wickets, he has continued to bat. 'Rishabh Pant will bat tomorrow," Kotak said in the press conference after the fourth day's play on Saturday. Even in India's first innings, he came back to bat at 38 to add 16 more runs to the team's score, including a big six off Jofra Archer. He was welcomed to the ground with a standing ovation by the Old Trafford crowd and defiantly went about his brief stint, even if it meant limping and hobbling for every run. Though Dhruv Jurel has joined in to keep wickets, ICC rules don't allow him to bat or bowl in Pant's place. Pant's availability would be a huge boost for India India could not ask for more from Pant if he can come out to bat on the fifth day. The situation for his team is dire at best. They conceded a confidence-shattering 311-run lead in the first innings and were then reduced to 0/2 by Chris Woakes in the first over, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan going on back-to-back balls. Captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul steadied the ship with a couple of near-flawless knocks. Gill hit 78 (167) while Rahul scored 87 (210) and together they took the team to 174/2 at Stumps. However, the team is still 137 runs in deficit and will need as many contributions as they can find to scrape a draw. The series is in England's favor by the margin of 2-1 and losing the Test would end India's hopes. If they can remain unbeaten for long enough, it'll allow them the chance to hold England to a draw with a win in the final Test, which begins on July 31. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: July 26, 2025, 23:41 IST News cricket Will Rishabh Pant Bat On Day 5 Of Manchester Test? Batting Coach Gives Big Update

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store