One thing I like to see before SRT retires.......

[Deleted_User_1]

.....is to experience him leading to a Indian win when the chips are really really down. Play that once in a lifetime knock that Viv played in 1984 in the ODI against England or Lara played in that test match in WI against Aus to win or VVS has played more than once. I am not talking about the kind of knock SRT played against England in Chennai in 2008 when he got support from other batsmen (that was a great knock BTW). I think he has played quite a few of those in his career with a few later on in his career. I am talking about the kind of knock he played like against Pak in 1999 in Chennai and came up short. The kind of knock where wickets are falling around him, the opposition is clamping down, but he still has the temperament not only to fight, but also to inspire the tail/other batsmen to stick with him AND WIN. Surely, he has the technique and the temperament to absorb the pressure. After all, IMHO, when in form, he is the technically most compact batsman I have seen. Wonder why he has not played such an innings? Is it just pure coincidence or what? On the 4th day at MCG was one such opportunity, but it was not to be. As a SRT fan, I sure hope I get to see one such knock before he hangs it up. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not recall him playing such a knock.

[Ram]

Danda, if you're in mood for suggestions, here's one - Go watch his 175 against Australia in Hyderabad in 2009. You go watch that innings and then come back tell us if in your opinion, it wasnt a 'once in a lifetime knock that was played when the chips were really down..'. Yet, why doesnt it count in your mind? Because we didnt win that game? Sad.

[Deleted_User_1]

Danda, if you're in mood for suggestions, here's one - Go watch his 175 against Australia in Hyderabad in 2009. You go watch that innings and then come back tell us if in your opinion, it wasnt a 'once in a lifetime knock that was played when the chips were really down..'. Yet, why doesnt it count in your mind? Because we didnt win that game? Sad.

That is what I am talking about.....such a knock which ends up in a win! I know he has played many important knocks, but you know what I am talking about. It is difficult to play well as well as have the other batsman contribute (since the latter is a bit out of your control). However, I see that less capable batsmen have done it at least once in their career.

[satishg]

I thought MCG 292 was going to be that kinda knock but seeing how abjectly others surrendered he got out too :(( Anyway i would love to see that kinda knock too, a bit like lara's 150 against Oz that ended up on a winning note. Now just imagine 100th century, playing a blinder once in a lifetime innings and he scoring the winning runs and letting a triumphant roar at the end, wishful thinking indeed :D

[Deleted_User_1]

Weird, why we have seen such a knock! Same was the case with my idol Sunny!!!!!

[goose]

He's won lots of one-day games singlehandedly. Unless you sat through every game he played in the 90s (remember Ganguly, Dravid, and Laxman debuted a good 7 years after Tendulkar did) you'll never truly appreciate the way his knocks brought some respectability to otherwise certain defeat. No matter how dire the position, while Tendulkar was batting there was always genuine hope. That hope is something i will always cherish. That hope is just as important as the actual outcome, and no record book will ever convey that.

[vamos_rafa]

.....is to experience him leading to a Indian win when the chips are really really down. Play that once in a lifetime knock that Viv played in 1984 in the ODI against England or Lara played in that test match in WI against Aus to win or VVS has played more than once. I am not talking about the kind of knock SRT played against England in Chennai in 2008 when he got support from other batsmen (that was a great knock BTW). I think he has played quite a few of those in his career with a few later on in his career. I am talking about the kind of knock he played like against Pak in 1999 in Chennai and came up short. The kind of knock where wickets are falling around him, the opposition is clamping down, but he still has the temperament not only to fight, but also to inspire the tail/other batsmen to stick with him AND WIN. Surely, he has the technique and the temperament to absorb the pressure. After all, IMHO, when in form, he is the technically most compact batsman I have seen. Wonder why he has not played such an innings? Is it just pure coincidence or what? On the 4th day at MCG was one such opportunity, but it was not to be. As a SRT fan, I sure hope I get to see one such knock before he hangs it up. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not recall him playing such a knock.

I also agree with you sir. I also want to associate that one knock with Sachin. Chennai 136 could have been one but not to be. I had thought that MCG 292 would be, but he faltered again. I have always felt that this one knock is not there in Sachin's kitty, but this feeling got reinforced when I started reading this book called Rafa-My Story. How he describes his each and every point in that epic Wimbledon final of 2008. And I was just left to think that SRT's auto-biography should have that kind of inning as well. Rafa had lost to Federer in 2007 Wimbledon final in 5 sets, and as he explains he was cried for half an hour. I think Sachin also went through the same after the Chennai loss. Rafa made sure that he does not repeat the mistakes of 2007, I just hope that SRT also, makes amends once. I know these 2 are totally different sports, but this is exactly what I felt after reading through the book.

[nballa]

he has none in tests but has a few in odi's where he was 'the' main contributor.

[Jersey #10]

he has none in tests but has a few in odi's where he was 'the' main contributor.

all hail afridi

[Deleted_User_1]

He's won lots of one-day games singlehandedly. Unless you sat through every game he played in the 90s (remember Ganguly' date=' Dravid, and Laxman debuted a good 7 years after Tendulkar did) you'll never truly appreciate the way his knocks brought some respectability to otherwise certain defeat. No matter how dire the position, while Tendulkar was batting there was always genuine hope. That hope is something i will always cherish. That hope is just as important as the actual outcome, and no record book will ever convey that.[/quote'] My question was mostly aimed at tests. Name me one knock. I do not recall any.

[nballa]

all hail afridi

what the hell are you talking about?

[goose]

So what you're really after is a scenario where India has fielded a strong bowling attack, and a batting line-up that all flops aside from Tendulkar, culminating in a win. Right?

[Deleted_User_1]

So what you're really after is a scenario where India has fielded a strong bowling attack' date=' and a batting line-up that all flops aside from Tendulkar, culminating in a win. Right?[/quote'] No not at all. MCG was classic case. Bowling brought India back in the match despite the tail wagging. 292 was gettable, tough but gettable.

[goose]

When Tendulkar was out India still needed a further 211 runs with just the tail (including Dhoni) left. Yet you expected him to achieve that 'without support from other batsman'?

[Deleted_User_1]

When Tendulkar was out India still needed a further 211 runs with just the tail (including Dhoni) left. Yet you expected him to achieve that 'without support from other batsman'?

Well he did not help the cause by getting out, now did he?

[goose]

You're really not making sense. Even a big hundred would not have changed the outcome given how the other bats after him performed. Unless you think his presence might have inspired another batsman to deliver more (e.g. Chennai'08 / Yuvraj ?) in which case again it would not be the truly solo effort you are looking for.

[bulbul]

Guess this thread missed from Radar of BB..

[Deleted_User_1]

You're really not making sense. Even a big hundred would not have changed the outcome given how the other bats after him performed. Unless you think his presence might have inspired another batsman to deliver more (e.g. Chennai'08 / Yuvraj ?) in which case again it would not be the truly solo effort you are looking for.

Yes it could have. A bit from Dhoni, Ashwin, dogged stay from Ishant and you never know. SRT would have scored a big hundred and we could have been close. That is the type of effort I am talking about. Where he is the mainstay and a few around just do enough to hang around, but are not significant contributors. I am not saying that MCG was the only opportunity, but I do not see any instance of this in his career which resulted in a win. There are a few examples where we came close, but not a win. Mind you, I am not criticizing him on this. In my mind he is still the greatest batsman of the modern era and a sure joy to watch, but this accomplishment has eluded him.

[goose]

Ok so by your logic, let's take that famous Bridgetown win where Lara hit 153* against Aus. Jimmy Adams down the order held out for 125 balls for a score of 38 (nonetheless insignificant by your definition). Had Adams done better and managed to score a few more, say an extra 50 runs off the balls he faced (i.e. Lara 103*, Adams 88), that would take the sheen off Lara's legacy?

[Deleted_User_1]

I should have said not the most significant. That and insignificant have different connotations. And yes, if Adams had scored 88 and Lara therefore less, it definitely would not have had the same impact on Lara's legacy. But that did not happen, did it. It was primarily because of Lara aided by dogged resistance from Adam that sealed against a very good attack. SRT came close with his 136 against Pakistan in Chennai in 1999 aided by Mongia, but could not overcome the final hurdle (it did not help that the tail just crumbled to score a few runs after he got out).