Let’s travel back in time to the year 1993, when the little master, Sachin Tendulkar bowled the last over for India to seal the deal. He showcased his brilliance not only with the bat but also with the ball in a nail-biting match against South Africa.
Knowing as the God of cricket and one of the most admired cricketer of all time, Sachin Tendulkar, is primarily known of his impeccable batting performances which he put up throughout his 2 decade long career for India.
It was November 13, 1993, during the Hero Cup in India. In the semifinal match against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the game was down to the wire. South Africa needed 6 runs off the final over, and to everyone’s surprise, India’s captain Mohammad Azharuddin handed the ball to the young Sachin Tendulkar.
Remember, at that time, Sachin was primarily known for his incredible batting talent. But on this unforgettable day, he proved that he was a true all-rounder.
India vs South Africa Hero Cup Semi-final
On that day, India batted first and posted 190 runs on the board. It wasn’t a safe looking total by any means and also, four Indian batters were victim of runout on that day including Kapil Dev. Fannie De Villiers enjoyed a great outing with the ball, taking 3 wickets for mere 19 runs in 10 overs.
Coming to chase 196, South Africa struggled throughout yet they pushed with their best efforts and it all came to the last over of the game. It was in hands of Brian McMillan and Fanny De villiers to pull out the winning moment for Proteas. However, things went otherway.
In the last over of the game, South Africa needed 6 runs and everything is on shoulders of McMillan to attack and for India, Sachin has the responsibility the defend just 6 runs.
Sachin’s first ball was a dot ball, and the pressure mounted. Fortunately for India, it resulted in runout of De villiers which also removed McMillan, the only set batter, from strike. He then bowled two more dots, tightening the screws on the Proteas.
Next batter, the renowned bowler Allan Donald couldn’t even make decent contact between bat and ball to steal a single for next few balls. With three balls remaining, South Africa needed 6 runs. Sachin had the responsibility of defending those precious runs.
The fourth ball, he delivered a quicker one that deceived the batsman and now, it was all India who were mentally ahead in the game and the crowd support was amazing for the home side.
Sachin Tendulkar Bowled Only 1 Over That Day
Sachin’s fifth ball resulted in a single, bringing the equation to 4 runs required off the final ball. McMillan tried his best on the sixth ball to pick a boundary and register a historic win, however, the best he could do was to miss the ball which went straight into the hands of wicketkeeper Vijay Yadav.
Sachin Tendulkar sealed a stunning victory for India. But what makes this moment truly special is Sachin’s genuine reaction after defending those crucial 6 runs. He didn’t erupt in celebration or boast about his feat. Instead, he humbly raised his arms in gratitude, acknowledging the crowd’s support, and thanked the cricketing gods for the opportunity to contribute to the team’s success.
Sachin’s records and accolades in cricket are nothing short of extraordinary. He is the highest run-scorer in Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricket, amassing over 34,000 runs across all formats. The “Master Blaster” has numerous centuries and accolades to his name, including the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
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Sachin Tendulkar bowled the last over to defend only six runs successfully. This is tale worth recollecting for Indian fans.This match showcased the essence of Sachin Tendulkar—his dedication, sportsmanship, and the unshakeable passion to win games for India.
Even in high-pressure situations, he remained composed and performed exceptionally. It is moments like these that have etched Sachin’s name in the hearts of cricket fans worldwide and cemented his status as the “God of Cricket.”
