Sachin Tendulkar describes how physically challenging it was to play at Sharjah in 1998

Tendulkar’s ‘Desert Storm’ knock could still give any cricket fan chills down their spine. In the hot month of April, Tendulkar played two of the best knocks of his career within 48 hours to first help India qualify for the finals of the tri-series and then floor Australia in the finals. Such was the quality of these knocks that people still cherish it 19 years on.

‘You want to put your feet in the ice bucket’

Speaking to the media at a promotional event, Sachin Tendulkar revealed how physically tough it was to play at Sharjah during the month of April. Australia was an invincible team during those times and playing suck knocks against such a team made it all the more special. Tendulkar made 143 in a virtual knockout game for India. He could have taken India home but he was unlucky to be given out caught behind as replays suggested he made no contact with the ball before it was collected by Adam Gilchrist. India eventually fell short by 25 runs but it ensured that they played Australia in the finals two nights later.

“Given the conditions in the month of April – the temperatures are really high and you can feel the heat going through your shoes and socks – and the first thing you want to do is to put your feet in the ice bucket,” he recalled today.

Sachin celebrated his 25th birthday in style

In the finals, though, Sachin’s knock resulted in an Indian win. He made 134 majestic runs and got stuck into Shane Warne, who was one of the finest bowlers in the world at that time. Australian attack boasted of fine bowlers like Damien Fleming, Michael Kasprowicz, the Waugh brothers besides Warne. Sachin said that it was very satisfying to beat the best team in the world in a rousing fashion.

“In my case, that was one experience which I remember how tough it was to stay there and play the best team in the world – Australia was number one at that stage – and to beat them so convincingly was extremely satisfying,” said Tendulkar.

Incidentally, on the day of the finals, Sachin was celebrating his 25th birthday. He said that during those times, teams would stay in Dubai and travel to Sharjah for the game. Playing two ODIs within 48 hours in those temperatures was extremely tough, he remarked.

“My 48 hours’ experience was the Sharjah matches, which I played in 1998. Those days we used to play in Sharjah and drive all the way back to Dubai. By the time we got back to the hotel, unpacked and settled down, it was 2 AM or so when I went to sleep. And the next day was for recovery and the following day was the final. It was not so easy,” he said.

Tendulkar’s geniuses on those two nights are still etched in every Indian cricket fan’s memory. He single-handedly helped India to a victory against a very competitive Australian side.