Who was Man of the Match in India's 1998 Wills International Cup opener?
(14 September 2002)

There is something about playing the Australians that seems to bring out the best in Sachin Tendulkar. India's first match in the 1998 Wills International Cup is just a case in point.

Steve Waugh won the toss and asked the Indians to bat in a match that Australia were heavily favoured to win. The Australian bowlers were quick to assert their domination; Sourav Ganguly made just one, while Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, playing his 300th one-day international, was dismissed for a duck; India were reduced to 8 for two in the third over.

But with Rahul Dravid providing steady support, Tendulkar took over and changed the complexion of the match with a breath-taking exhibition of refined aggression. The little maestro dominated the 140-run third-wicket partnership that lasted 24.1 overs before Dravid was run-out after a composed 48 off 80 balls.

With Ajay Jadeja, who followed, it was a partnership between equals. By the time Tendulkar was out with the score reading 280 for four in the 46th over, Tendulkar had made an imperious 141 off 128 balls with 13 fours and three sixes. His 19th one-day hundred and Jadeja's 71 off 65 balls ensured that India set the Australians a daunting victory target of 308.

Seventy-four from Mark Waugh and 41 from Ricky Ponting meant that Australia at 194 for four for in the 35th over were in with a chance. But at precisely that moment, Tendulkar began to work his magic with the ball, snaffling Steve Waugh and following it up with three more wickets, including those of Michael Bevan and Damien Martyn, to seal India's 44-run win. His match-winning all-round performance saw Tendulkar being crowned the undisputed Man of the Match.

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