Tendulkar was the thorn in Australia’s flesh again with a composed innings of 91. He was involved in two vital partnerships, 94 with Robin Uthappa for the first wicket and 54 for the third wicket with Yuvraj Singh. They helped India to a modest total of 258 from their 50 overs, even though India lost their way slightly in the final overs.
Australia were onto the back foot immediately after they lost Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting within the first three overs. The swing of Praveen Kumar was too much to handle for the Australian batsmen. Australia fought back through an excellent partnership between Matt Hayden and Andrew Symonds but lost them at a crucial time. Mike Hussey and James Hopes played well but their contributions were not enough to take Australia home. Praveen Kumar was the pick of the bowlers with 4/46.
Tendulkar was the man of the match for his excellent knock.
India v South Africa – 2nd ODI – Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior – Feb 24, 2010 Few people would have guessed that history would be made when India faced South Africa in the second ODI at Gwalior. South Africa had lost the first ODI and were looking to level the series and they certainly were not expecting and annihilation from the bat of Sachin Tendulkar.
The little master made 200, the first double century in ODIs, and in the process helping India to a mammoth 401 from their 50 overs.
It was an extraordinary innings, an innings that displayed his entire repertoire of shots. It was also an innings of resilience as he battled tiredness, as the day was extremely hot and humid.
He was involved in a big partnership with Dinesh Karthik who was unlucky to have missed out on a hundred. In the end it was MS Dhoni who took the mantle from Sachin blasting a quick fire 68 off just 35 balls.
South Africa never recovered from what they had witnessed from India. The total proved too much for them as they were dismissed for just 248 runs. AB de Villiers was the only shining light scoring an excellent hundred and remaining not out till the end.