Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's Test centuries: Century 16-20

The name Sachin Tendulkar is enough to make people stand up and take notice not just in India, but around the world. When he made his debut against Pakistan in Karachi, he had already made headlines all across the globe. The baby-faced 16-year old took on the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Imran Khan in his debut series and scored a gritty 59 in just his second innings of his career.

Slowly but surely this young batsman was taking giant strides in international cricket. Then, he made the world sit up and take a closer look at him in his 14th innings. Scoring a majestic unbeaten 119 at the Old Trafford in the second innings, a 17-year old Tendulkar helped India save the Test match.

That century was followed by another Test 50 tons in his 24-year career. Sachin Tendulkar was one of the most celebrated cricketers of his time and even today, he attracts a lot of attention. Thus, we continue to look back at all his Test centuries.

Let's relive centuries 16 to 20.

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#1. Century No. 16 – 177 v Australia, Bangalore (1998)

1998 started well for Sachin. In 5 ODIs, he had scored 258 runs at an excellent strike-rate of 112.17. Then the Test series against Australia began. There was a big hype around 'Warne vs Tendulkar'. In the second innings, India’s premier batsman (who scored 155) absolutely bulldozed Warne as the latter conceded 122 runs in 30 overs.

After scoring 155 (not out) and 79 in his previous two innings, Tendulkar looked in prime form right from the start of 1998. With the series already won, India batted first in the third and final Test (at Bangalore). Tendulkar walked in at 109/2 which soon became 110/3 as Warne looked in great rhythm.

However, like the previous face-offs in the series, the Mumbaikar continued to nullify the Warne-threat and dominated him once again. Sachin scored a brilliant 177 as he helped India post 424 in their first innings.

Tendulkar’s 177 was a master class as most of his other teammates couldn’t convert their starts which resulted in India reaching only 424. Unfortunately, India lost the game by 8 wickets as a collapse in the second innings ensured India were bowled out for 169. Australia easily chased down 194 as they won the final Test and lost the series 2-1.

Tendulkar, for his heroics throughout the series, was named the Man of the Series.

#2. Century No. 17 – 113 v New Zealand, Wellington (1998)

This 113 was Sachin's first Test ton against New Zealand.

When India toured New Zealand in late 1998, that year had already become one of the most special years for Tendulkar. The way he countered various types of bowling attacks was phenomenal. In ODI cricket he had scaled new heights. He had scored 1894 runs (with 9 tons) at an average of 65.31 and a strike-rate of 102.16. Even in Test cricket, he scored 487 runs at an average of 81.17.

And the year only got better. After the first Test was completely washed out, India elected to bat first at the Basin Reserve (Wellington) and were shot out for 208 on the first day. Only Azharuddin (103) and Tendulkar (47) made notable contributions. The Kiwis posted 352 and took a crucial 142-run lead.

In the second innings, the Master Blaster walked out to bat with India were still 68 behind and the Kiwi pacers were in good form as well. But the way Tendulkar came in and changed the tempo of the game was brilliant. He shared crucial stands with Ganguly and Azharuddin to help India go into the lead.

He nicely kept the scoreboard ticking and attacked when he needed to and got to his 17th Test century. His 113 helped India reach 356 in the second innings and set New Zealand a target of 213.

India were on top when they had the hosts at 74/5, but Craig McMillan (74) and Chris Cairns (61) helped the Blackcaps get over the line and Tendulkar’s ton went in vain.

#3. Century No. 18 – 136 v Pakistan, Chennai (1999)

This is a Test match a lot of fans remember for different reasons. One of the main reasons was a fantastic 136 from Sachin Tendulkar.

India and Pakistan were playing a Test series for the first time since 1989 (Tendulkar’s debut series). After electing to bat first at Chepauk, Pakistan could only manage 238. However, an inspired bowling performance from Saqlain Mushtaq (who took 5/94) helped the visitors skittle India out for 254.

Pakistan took advantage of the momentum they created and Shahid Afridi scored a belligerent 141 to put his team in control at 275/4. However, Venkatesh Prasad produced a magical spell (taking 6/33) to trigger a collapse and Pakistan were bundled out for 286.

Chasing 271, India found themselves in deep trouble at 82/5 and with Wasim, Waqar and Mushtaq looking threatening, a win looked very difficult for the hosts.

But Tendulkar, who walked into bat at 11/2, had other ideas. He scored a wonderful 136 where he was patient, bided his time at the crease, accessed the conditions beautifully and put the loose balls away. The knock became a little extra special as the Little Master was struggling with a back injury as well and he batted through the pain.

His wonderful knock took India to 254/6, but then Pakistan landed a big blow as Mushtaq prized out Tendulkar. India needed only 17 at that stage. But none of the lower-order players offered resistance as India were bowled out for 258 handing their arch-rivals a famous win.

#4. Century No. 19 – 124* v Sri Lanka, Colombo (1999)

This was Sachin's 5th Test century against Sri Lanka.

During the Asian Test Championship in 1999, India had lost their opening game to arch-rivals Pakistan. In the second game against hosts Sri Lanka, India were put into bat.

The Sri Lankan skipper would have hoped for early breakthroughs so that they could keep India in check, but it was not the case as India racked up 518. Sadagopan Ramesh (143) and Rahul Dravid (107) struck hundreds and there were useful contributions from Tendulkar (53), Azharuddin (87) and Ganguly (56).

However, Sri Lanka were up to the task and they gave a strong reply. On the back of Mahela Jayawardene’s 242, Sri Lanka scored 485 and by the time they finished their innings it was already late on the fourth day.

On the fifth day, Tendulkar walked in to bat at 74/2 and scored a superb 124. He was in total control of his innings where he scored 10 fours and 1 six. His 19th Test century ensured that India drew the game and got their first points of the tournament.

#5. Century No. 20 – 126* v New Zealand, Mohali (1999)

Tendulkar was in sublime form in the late 1990s.

This set marked the beginning of the second stint as captain for Sachin Tendulkar. And it was off to the worst possible start for the Little Master. New Zealand opted to field first on a lively track in Mohali.

The Kiwi pacers were on fire, as they skittled India out for a mere 83 with Dion Nash taking 6/27. New Zealand’s reply wasn’t a great one, but they still managed to take a 132-run lead. Javagal Srinath starred with the ball for India as he took 6/45.

The Indian openers (Sadagoppan Ramesh and Devang Gandhi) wiped off the deficit as they put on a 137-run opening stand. But both of them fell in the 70s. With the second new ball relatively new, Tendulkar walked into bat at 181/2 (the lead was just 49).

The pressure was on Tendulkar to take India to safety. Along with Rahul Dravid, the little master bailed the hosts out of trouble as both scored majestic tons. Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 126 as India put up 505 on the board setting New Zealand a target of 374.

The Kiwi batsmen grinded it out to eke out a draw as India managed to pick 7 wickets in the second innings. But, it was Dravid and Tendulkar whose patience and grit helped India get out of trouble.