There is an inherent joy is watching two geniuses stare each other in the eye in a bid to assert their supremacy. There is immense pride attached and this makes for compelling viewing. Hence, when Sachin Tendulkar faced Shane Warne, it was a joy to behold, it was like two mavericks trying to usurp each other and there was always a lovely story attached to it.
Here in this article, we will take a look at 5 iconic clashes between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne:
India vs Australia, 1st Test at Chennai, March 1998
The stage was set for the battle between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne in the sweltering heat if Chennai in the first of the three Test matches in the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Things did not go according to plan for India as they were bowled out for 257 batting first. Shane Warne picked up Sachin fir the first time in his international career for only four runs.
However, Australia squandered the advantage and India conceded a lead of 71 runs. It was then the turn of the master to lay the marker as he walked out and smacked 155* off just a 191 deliveries and India posted 418/4 in their second innings. Australia were set a target of 348 runs and the Indian bowlers dismissed then for 168 runs and India won the match by 179 runs.
India v Australia at Sharjah, 1998
There will not be cricket lover who will ever forget the desert storm in Sharjah in 1998, when Sachin Tendulkar stood tall and single-handedly smashed Australia, not once but twice. He was the difference between the two sides as India made it to the finals. An unbeaten century by Michael Bevan propelled Australia to an imposing total of 7-284.
Sachin Tendulkar then took charge as he responded with an epic innings of 143 against an attack featuring Shane Warne, Damien Fleming and Michael Kasprowicz. Warne bore the brunt as he was smashed to all corners of the ground.
Although, India fell 26 runs short of victory, Sachin had done enough to edge New Zealand out and lead his side through to the final.
Australia v India at Adelaide, December 10-14, 1999
It was part of the miserable tour for India where they faced heavy defeat at the hands of Australia. Sachin was the only bright spark in an otherwise bleak performance by India. Warne was the bowler who got rid of Tendulkar in the first innings and ended his bright knock of 61 off 133 deliveries.
India could only post 285 runs in reply to Australia’s 441 runs. The second innings was no better as they were bundled out for 110 runs to hand Australia a comprehensive win.
Australia v India at Melbourne, December 26-30, 1999
The pattern was extremely similar – Australia posted 405 runs in their first innings and India erre knocked over for 238 runs which included a superb century by Sachin. His 116 was a lonely effort as none of the other Indian batsmen could match him.
In the second dig, Sachin was flowing along when Shane Warne trapped him for 52 runs and the rest of the Indian batting folded for 195 runs. The biggest talking point of the match was the brilliant contest between Sachin and Warne as both had their chances and both trumped each other in both the innings respectively.
 India v Australia at Indore, Mar 31, 2001
On a flat batting track, Australia captain Steve Waugh won the toss and elected to bowl first and this backfired spectacularly. Sachin Tendulkar broke free and absolutely smashed the Australian bowlers to smithereens. He peeled off 139 runs off 125 balls and it included 19 boundaries. Shane Warne was the target right throughout the innings as he was looted for 64 runs in his 10 overs and did not pick even a single wicket.
Australia folded up for a paltry total of 181 runs after India set them a target of 300 runs.
Of the five iconic clashes between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, which one is your favourite? Share your memories of clashes between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne and we will publish the best entry on our website.
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