PUNE: Sachin Tendulkar piloted India to a facile six wicket triumph with 21 balls to spare with a sparkling display of all round brilliance in the second one day international against Sri Lanka here on Dec 5.

Tendulkar, who came to the crease when the hosts needed 82 runs for victory in 13.4 ‘overs, strung together a crucial partnership (of 80 runs with Skipper Azharuddin for the fourth wicket in just 9.4 overs to guide India to their second successive victory in the three match series.

Tendulkar, who made 53 in just 41 balls with seven fours and a nonchalant hooked six off Grame Labrooy, was declared the man of the match having earlier played a ‘stellar role with a two wicket haul and a hand in three other dismissals,

India, set an asking rate of 4.65 runs per over by Sri Lanka who made 227 for eight in 49 overs after being put in to bat, cruised home making 230 for four in 453 overs.

Skipper Azharuddin remained unbeaten with a valuable knock of 52 off 49 balls. ‘Opener Ravi Shastri also played his part by making 53 off 88 balls.

India, thus, clinched the threes match series by taking a winning two love lead. The third and final tie is scheduled to be held at Margao (Goa).

It was teenager Tendulkar’s day at the Nehru stadium as he regaled the capacity crowd of 25,000 with a splendid performance with both the bat and the ball

In the morning, the 18yearold had filled in excently for the less than hundred Percent fit Kapil Dev by coming on as the first change bowler to grab two for 39 in nine overs.

Later, he took two well-judged catches in the deep, off debutant opener Dammika Ranatunga and Asanka Gurusinghe, besides striking another big blow to Lanka hopes of a big total by running out their Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga from Long on.

When India batted, Navjot Sidhu (38) and Ravi Shastri, who notched up his 15th half century in one dayers, gave India a sound start of 76 runs.

However, India were far from Victory When Tendulkar arrived at the crease as they required over six runs per over. Tendulkar gradually brought it down to less than four before making his exit with his Side needing just two runs for victory.

They said it

 “Gary Kasparov became great because he beat me. Clearly we are the two best chess players of our time.”

Challenger Anatoly Karpov, after the New York leg of the World chess championship.

“It’s something to worry. But I am still alive, and maybe, I will become the world motor rally champion!”

Allessandro Nannini, Formularacing star, after having severed his right arm in a helicopter accident,

” All matches are keen affairs, but ours were something special!”

Tennis star John McEnroe on his encounters with Bjorn Borg.

“I am not a scandal person. That is not my image at all”.

Nadia Comaneci, on her going to the United States.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 14, 1990