NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar was primarily known for his incredible batting, but his bowling was an underrated aspect of his game. Although he wasn’t a frontline bowler, he contributed significantly as a part-time bowler.
Tendulkar was known for his versatility, as he could bowl medium pace, off-spin, and leg-spin, which made him a useful option for breaking partnerships or providing relief to the main bowlers.
In Test cricket, Tendulkar took 46 wickets in 200 matches. While his role was more limited in Tests, he often broke important partnerships. His best figures in Tests were 3/10.
When India toured Pakistan in 2004, they played the first Test in Multan. This match is historically significant as it was the game where Virender Sehwag scored his iconic 309, making him the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket, earning the venue the nickname “Multan ka Sultan.”
The Multan Test is also remembered for captain Rahul Dravid declaring the Indian innings when Tendulkar was on 194. But that’s a different story.
After India had declared their first innings at 675/5, Pakistan were 5 wickets down in their 1st innings and Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan were leading the hosts’ resistance. Tendulkar was bowling the last over of Day 3.
Before the game, Sachin had challenged Moin saying, “Tumhari wicket toh main hi lunga” (I will take your wicket for sure). Playing mind games, Sachin deliberately moved fielders 2 to 3 steps back so that Razzaq could take a single and Moin could come on strike.
And lo behold! Moin, who was extremely nervous at the crease, was clean bowled on the last ball of the over as Tendulkar bowled a brilliant googly to flummox Moin as the ball went between his legs to castle into the stumps.
A stunned Moin Khan walked back to the pavilion as India ended the day perfectly and went on to win the Test by an innings and 52 runs.
Watch the dismissal here:
Tendulkar was known for his versatility, as he could bowl medium pace, off-spin, and leg-spin, which made him a useful option for breaking partnerships or providing relief to the main bowlers.
In Test cricket, Tendulkar took 46 wickets in 200 matches. While his role was more limited in Tests, he often broke important partnerships. His best figures in Tests were 3/10.
When India toured Pakistan in 2004, they played the first Test in Multan. This match is historically significant as it was the game where Virender Sehwag scored his iconic 309, making him the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket, earning the venue the nickname “Multan ka Sultan.”
The Multan Test is also remembered for captain Rahul Dravid declaring the Indian innings when Tendulkar was on 194. But that’s a different story.
After India had declared their first innings at 675/5, Pakistan were 5 wickets down in their 1st innings and Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan were leading the hosts’ resistance. Tendulkar was bowling the last over of Day 3.
Before the game, Sachin had challenged Moin saying, “Tumhari wicket toh main hi lunga” (I will take your wicket for sure). Playing mind games, Sachin deliberately moved fielders 2 to 3 steps back so that Razzaq could take a single and Moin could come on strike.
And lo behold! Moin, who was extremely nervous at the crease, was clean bowled on the last ball of the over as Tendulkar bowled a brilliant googly to flummox Moin as the ball went between his legs to castle into the stumps.
A stunned Moin Khan walked back to the pavilion as India ended the day perfectly and went on to win the Test by an innings and 52 runs.
Watch the dismissal here:
Though Tendulkar wasn’t a regular bowler, he played a significant role in India’s bowling strategy, often providing crucial wickets and handy overs.
Tendulkar’s knack for breaking partnerships earned him the title of “golden arm,” and captains often turned to him when they needed breakthroughs.