the elusive 100th ton - clock stops at MCG at 0556 pm [IST 12.25 noon]

It was  6:00pm at MCG – Stumps was the call – India ended at 214/3 after restricting Australia to 333.- trailing by 119 runs with 7 wickets in hand – but the Nation perhaps is gloomy.

Though I have been maintaining that too much is made in to a statistical side-step of combining two versions of Cricket, a few minutes earlier to close of play something occurred, which would have stopped the Nation for a minute.  After that brilliant innings, everyone was wishing that he would complete the much awaited 100^th ton.  But it was not destined to be at 5.56 pm local time, he played one through the wrong line to be bowled through the gate off Siddle – Sachin out at 73.  Another great innings ended – 73 off 98 balls -  eight fours and a six.

The innings alongside fifties from Sehwag and Dravid has placed India on a strong pedestal but the  dream story of Sachin Tendulkar's 100th international century happening in the first innings of the MCG Boxing Day Test didn't eventuate.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar one of the greatest batsmen in the history continues to makes news  for whatever he scores and for those he does not also.    He became the only Test player to score fifty centuries and added one more – at Newlands Cricket Ground on 4^th Jan 2011 against South Africa.  In the WC, he made two centuries – one against England at Bangalore on 27^th Feb 2011 and another against South Africa at Nagpur on 12^th Mar 2011 – that was ODI century no. 48.

From that second people started counting and everytime Sachin comes to the crease, the expectations are oriented towards that 100^th ton.  He had come closer earlier making nineties and today he was playing fluently before that momentary lapse in concentration undid all the good work.  In  the day of entertaining cricket, the Indian maestro was bowled by Peter Siddle for an outstanding innings of 73 in the closing stages of day two.  Sure even the partisan crowd enjoyed the batting rarity as Sachin showcased his mastery.  .

It was 12.25 IST as reported when the Cricket World was brought down to its knees – whether it was a great delivery or not will never be known – but the fact that it undid little Master and prevented a historically happening will ever be known

Sachin, Sachin, Crowds would rant and when will the 100^th one come ending the misery of fans, rather than the Master

Regards – S. Sampathkumar.