Sachin Tendulkar reveals how he navigated an interesting battle of wits between himself and Glenn McGrath

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Image Courtesy: PTI/AFP

The nail-biting matches between the rivals India and Australia have been providing the cricketing fans many unforgettable memories, and such was the on-field skirmishes between the two past icons of the teams- Sachin Tendulkar and Glenn McGrath. The two legends have shared some extraordinary moments in the 2000s, and one such incident from the first match of the 1999 Test series in Adelaide refreshes the Little Master’s memories, where a battle of wits got him the better of the former Aussie pacer.

Image Courtesy: PTI/AFP

In a recent episode of Star Sports’ ‘Cricket Connected’, Sachin narrated the Test series against Australia all the way back in 1999, and facing a destructive McGrath in his prime was a test of nerves for the fabled batsman.

“In 1999, in our first match at Adelaide… the first innings there was hardly 40 minutes to go in the day’s play. Glenn McGrath comes and bowls five or six maiden overs to me,” Sachin said in the clip.

Sachin added that Australia’s strategy was to thwart his concentration so he be picked early off. However, the Master Blaster was quick to grab the technique and changed up his own game plan.

“So I kept leaving as many deliveries as possible,” the 47 year old continued, “There were some good deliveries where I was beaten as well. But I said ‘well bowled and now go back and bowl again as I am still here.”

This method continued till the stumps, but Sachin was prepared to be in his zone for the next day, and he even scored some boundaries in the following morning.

“I thought this evening I am patient but tomorrow morning I am gonna play the way I want. You won’t control how I want to play but I would control where you are going to bowl,” Sachin added.

“What’s Sachin upto during the Lockdown?” BCCI shared the video on their website, and linked it up with a tweet today. Check it out here-

Sachin put up 61 runs in the first Test, and totalled a score of 278 in three matches, and won the Player of the Match award in the second Test in Melbourne.

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