New Delhi: It has been 25 years since Sachin Tendulkar played the iconic ‘Desert Storm’ knock against Australia in Sharjah. The legendary batter attended an event in Mumbai to remember his knock of 143 off 131 which has gone down in the history of the game as one of the golden moments. He also cut a cake at the event before his birthday on April 24 and interacted with fans.
April 22 marks a special day in the history of Indian cricket and as the India-Australia match in the Coca-Cola Cup, 1998 completed its 25 years, fans hosted an event for Sachin Tendulkar to relive his glory. At the event, Sachin cut the cake before he turns 50 and the cake had a picture of him from that game in Sharjah.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar cuts a cake ahead of his 50th birthday, at an event on the 25 years of his historic ‘Desert Storm’ innings in Sharjah against Australia.
He will celebrate his 50th birthday on 24th April. pic.twitter.com/gh6BJ1qxXd
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2023
Interacting with fans, Sachin said that he would not have been able to achieve all of this without fans’ support. Talking about his journey, he said that his dream was to play for India and to lift the World Cup. He added that the birth of that dream took place in 1983 and since then, till 2011, he had only one desire in life, which was to hold that ‘beautiful trophy’.
#WATCH | On 25 years of his historic ‘Desert Storm’ innings in Sharjah against Australia in 1998, Sachin Tendulkar interacts with fans at an event in Mumbai.
He says, “I don’t think whatever I have been able to achieve would have been possible without your support, love &… pic.twitter.com/aHrNaQKfrA
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2023
April surely marks a special month in Sachin’s life as India lifted the 2011 World Cup on April 2, his ‘Desert Storm’ inning on April 22 and he celebrates his birthday on April 24.
In his #AskSachin session on Twitter, a fan asked him to sum up the ‘Desert Storm’ game in one word, to which he replied that now even Twitter allows more than 280 characters and added that how can one describe this ‘special inning’ in one word.
Now even Twitter allows more than 280 characters – how to describe this special innings in one word? ?
Chalo you try!? https://t.co/ayIrrpA35S
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 21, 2023
In the game, Australia posted 284 on the board after Mark Waugh scored 81 off 99 and Michael Bevan scored an attacking century. Chasing 285, Sachin Tendulkar was playing his part while there were wickets falling on the other end.
Soon, the stadium was hit by a sand storm and the play was stopped for about 20-25 minutes. Before the halt, India needed 285 to win the game, but 254 to qualify for the finals of the tri-series between India-Australia-New Zealand. After the play resumed, India required 237 to qualify.
A night we’ll never forget in our lives. ?
Some moments are just meant to be a part of our destiny.
On this day, Sharjah ’98
A ?️ storm on the field led to Sachin creating one in our heart & soul.25 years to this sheer masterpiece from @sachin_rt. ❤️pic.twitter.com/wyVeBVmJw6
— North Stand Gang – Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) April 21, 2023
Sachin launched an attack on the Australian bowlers and scored 143 off 131, his personal best then, to ensure that India reaches the finals. Despite his heroics, India lost the game, but the score of 250 runs helped them qualify to the finals. In the finals against Australia, Sachin scored a ton on his birthday and chased down 273 to win the tri-series.
