On this Day – Sachin Tendulkar’s ultimate heartbreak in Chennai Test vs Pakistan

January 31 will be remembered as the day God wept. It was a day when India suffered a heartbreaking defeat. Sachin Tendulkar, battling back spasms, scored a brilliant century to put India on the cusp of a famous win against Pakistan in Chennai. However, his dismissal triggered a disastrous collapse which saw them lose the match in stunning fashion. So shocked was Tendulkar that he wept in the dressing room. So broken was Tendulkar that he did not even collect his Man of the Match trophy. It was on this day, 20 years ago, that India and Pakistan played out a classic Test in Chennai. The match will be remembered for Tendulkar’s ultimate heartbreak and for the way Chennai’s fans showed their sporting spirit by clapping the effort of Pakistan’s cricketers. January 31, 1999 witnessed the dramatic end of the Chennai Test between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan visited India for a Test series after 12 years and there was immense pressure on their arrival. There were protests by political groups who threatened to derail the series at any cost, the pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla was dug up and there were sections of the Indian public who did not want Pakistan to tour India due to the continued tension over the Kashmir issue. In this volatile atmosphere, Pakistan played their first Test in Chennai and they chose to bat. A fine 53 from Mohammad Yousuf (then Yousuf Youhanna) and Moin Khan (60) helped Pakistan to 238 all out. Anil Kumble was the star with 6/70 in 24.5 overs.

India responded with solid fifties from Rahul Dravid (53) and Mohammad Azharuddin (54) as India managed to take a slender 16-run lead. Saqlain Mushtaq was the pick of the bowlers with 5/94 off 32 overs and he had gotten rid of Tendulkar for a five-ball duck. With the pitch beginning to crumble, Pakistan required a special effort and they got it in the form of Shahid Afridi, the 17-year-old who was playing his second Test. Afridi blasted 21 fours and three sixes and he was given good support from Inzamam-ul-Haq (51) as Pakistan looked to build a big total. Venkatesh Prasad, though, had other ideas and he ran through the Pakistan batting to finish with 6/33 as Pakistan lost six wickets for 11 runs to be bowled out for 286. This left India chasing 271 on a tricky wicket.

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With Wasim Akram and Saqlain at the peak of their powers, India found the going incredibly hard. At 82/5, the game seemed over but Tendulkar, who was battling back spasms, shared a wonderful partnership with Nayan Mongia who scored a gutsy 52. Every run they scored increased pressure on Pakistan. Mongia was battling fever while Tendulkar’s back pain increased. Akram was also nursing his injured groin. However, like warriors, they battled on. Along the way, Tendulkar was dropped by Moin off Saqlain. The momentum was with India.

Pakistan found relief when Mongia fell for 52 but Tendulkar carried on and scored a brave century. At 254/6, the game seemed to be up.  On 136, the game-changing moment occurred. Saqlain bowled a flighted doosra and Tendulkar miscued the lofted shot to mid-off and Wasim Akram took the catch. Tendulkar was out for 136 and India still needed 17 runs. In a sensational collapse, Saqlain and Akram ran through the lower order and India lost the match by 12 runs.

The celebrations in the Pakistan camp were delirious. The fans in Chepauk were in shock and the Indian team was distraught. Pakistan started the victory lap and what the world witnessed showed the power of sport. The entire Chepauk crowd stood and gave a standing ovation to the Pakistan team as they were on their victory lap. The one moment summed up how effective sports can be in eliminating diplomatic tensions.

The magic of Chepauk would be replicated in Delhi in the following Test with Anil Kumble becoming only the second bowler to take the Perfect 10, joining Jim Laker as the two-Test series ended 1-1. However, 20 years ago, the cricketing world had seen a classic in Chennai and it had all the elements to make it one of the all-time great Tests.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pakistan were playing a Test in India after 12 years.
• The Feroz Shah Kotla was the venue for the 1st Test but it was dug up by a political group.
• Saqlain Mushtaq took 10 wickets as Pakistan won the Chennai Test by 12 runs.