Former Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar recalls one of the interesting on-field stories when mongoose, the bitter rival of a snake, kept coming on the ground during the second innings of the semifinal game of Hero Cup (CAB Jubilee Tournament), in 1993 when the veteran batsman was bowling the final over of the game.
Sachin recollected the memories when India scripted the win against visitors on his bowling to see entire stadium cheering for him.
Mongoose had proven to be a good sign for India to clinch the thrilling last over win against South Africa according to the former Indian batting star.
“I don’t know how many of you have noticed this but because it was the first day and night match, there was a mongoose which kept coming in the second half of the match,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying by PTI.
The 43-year-old Tendulkar said while being as the face of marathon event for IDBI’s Federal Life Insurance in Kolkata. Their aim is to provide the platform to talented youngsters and athletes across India.
“We got some wickets when it came. Then there were some runs and again the mongoose came and we got wickets,” Tendulkar said.
In the One-day International number 856, Tendulkar, who did not, fared well with the bat (15 off 31 balls) in the game, delivered with the ball when he was assigned to bowl the last over by his skipper Mohammad Azharuddin as Proteas required six of six balls at Eden Gardens.
“So I was waiting for the mongoose to keep coming. The match got rather close and I ended up bowling the last over,” Tendulkar recalled.
South Africa lost the game by two runs while chasing the target of 196 when Tendulkar conceded just three runs of his only over.
“There has been so many memories when it comes to Kolkata. The first big moment for me was when we played against South Africa, who were getting back to the International cricket,” Tendulkar said.
The Mumbaikar Tendulkar was brought in to deliver under floodlights and Proteas fast bowler Allan Donald (1 off 4 balls) played three dots after right-handed wicket-keeper batsman David Richardson ran himself out on 15 off 15 deliveries.
“When in Kolkata we used to have a joke running around — ‘Pehle do wicket lelo, baki ke aath wickets crowd le leta hai’ (first take the first two wickets, the crowd will look after the rest).” Sachin recollects.
However, the right-handed batsman Brian McMillan failed to score on the last ball of the match. He remained unbeaten 48 off 55 balls.
“It was quite memorable and completely different, the first day-and-night match where I ended up bowling the last over. The experience to see the entire stadium lit with torches was truly out of this world. They stay with you for the rest of your life,” Sachin concluded.