Thursday, February 18

Sachin Tendulkar 175 v Australia fifth ODI, Hyderabad - Nominee for the Best ODI innings 2009

It was the India of the 90s all over again: Tendulkar almost chased 351 on his own, but with the target in sight he got out and the rest choked, falling short by three runs with two balls to go. Wickets kept falling around him but Tendulkar gave the bowlers only one half-chance all through his innings. All night they couldn't get an uncouth shot out of him. He came out of a relatively lean patch, kept the pace up without taking undue risks, and played mostly regular cricket shots; and though support wasn't always forthcoming from the other end, Tendulkar took the fight to the opposition, counterattacking each time a wicket fell.