5 Brilliant centuries while chasing, in a losing cause

1. Sachin Tendulkar 175 off 141 balls, v/s Australia at Hyderabad, 2009

If you ask any Indian fan, what was a game that India deserved to win but ended up on the losing side, most would point out to this game. It was the 90s all over again, the opponents punished the hapless Indian bowlers for a huge score of 350.

India started the big chase rather indifferently, Sehwag repeated what he had done for the most part of his career, get a quick start and then get out. Sachin was the only hope as Gambhir, Yuvraj, Dhoni, all fell for single digit scores. Losing partners was something Sachin was accustomed to, he continued his one sided fight. Driving, cutting, pulling, and sweeping the ball gloriously. That innings was pure magic, the best one could watch. He batted his heart out wanting to etch a win out of a hopeless situation. Raina provided some stability as he scored a run-a-ball 59 but fell in the 43^rd over with 52 still to get.

India sensed they could win the game after all, their best batsman was still at the crease going all guns blazing. Getting 19 runs off the last 3 overs with 4 wickets in hand was a walk in the park. Clint McKay who might not have had an illustrious career, may never forget his international cricket debut where on the first ball of the 48^th over he took the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, who tried to paddle scoop a slower one as the ball ended up in the hands of Nathan Hauritz. Sachin played one of his greatest innings and yet again a disastrous batting by the tail meant that India fell excruciatingly short by 3 runs.

Also Read – Top 10 fastest centuries in T20 Internationals