Perth 1991-92: ‘Scintillating' and ‘captivating' was what Wisden called it. He was only 18, yet two years into international cricket.
But this is when he announced himself, on the fastest pitch in the world against one of the most difficult bowling attacks; 18 year old Tendulkar displayed his class scoring magnificent 114 when others around him were falling in heaps.
Tendulkar Vs. Warne 1998: The most awaited clash of the 90s looked like going the Aussie leggie's way when he got Tendulkar early in the first innings.
But a turnaround was to follow in the second innings; a turnaround so brilliant that it resulted in Warne having nightmares about Tendulkar even years later.
Tendulkar scored a belligerent 155 at a strike rate of 82 with 14 fours and 4 sixes. Warne kept pitching into the rough outside leg and Tendulkar kept putting his left foot away and sweeping him into the ropes and over.
Kolkata 2001: John Wright, in his book Indian Summers, the account of his days as the Indian coach, terms it “The greatest comeback since Lazarus'.
Wright had a huge role to play in it. It was he who shifted Laxman from no.6 to no.3 in the second innings.
Laxman and Dravid fought every odd and from 232-4 whilst following on, they took India to 608 before being separated. They batted an entire day. And India became only the second team in test history to win after being asked to follow on.
