Kolkata: Sachin Tendulkar has fond memories of The City of Joy. Having figured in a number of international matches at the Eden Gardens, the historic ground has a special place in his heart. And talk of the Eden Gardens, who can forget November 24, 1993, when Tendulkar snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against South Africa in the Hero Cup semi-final? And guess what, Tendulkar has a mongoose to thank for the dramatic turnaround in the match.
“I don’t know how many of you have noticed this, but because it was the first day and night match, there was a mongoose which kept coming in the second half of the match. We got some wickets when it came. Then there were some runs and again the mongoose came and we got wickets. So I was waiting for the mongoose to keep coming. The match got rather close and I ended up bowling the last over,” said the Maestro at an event in the city today.
It was a low-scoring match with India setting South Africa a target of 196. But the Proteans lived up to their reputation of being chokers by finishing at 193 for 9 in the stipulated 50 overs. Tendulkar took it upon himself to bowl the last over with South Africa needing six for victory and ended up getting India one of the most memorable victories in the history of ODIs.
And Tendulkar also attributes India’s triumph to the Eden Gardens crowd. “When in Kolkata we used to have a joke running around — ‘Pehle do wicket lelo, baki ke aath wickets crowd le leta hai’ (first take the first two wickets, the crowd will look after the rest),” said Tendulkar who rates the Hero Cup semi-final as one of his most cherished moments at the Eden Gardens. “It was quite memorable and completely different, the first day-and-night match where I ended up bowling the last over. The experience to see the entire stadium lit with torches was truly out of this world. They stay with you for the rest of your life,” he said.
The Master Blaster also has great memories of the 1991 encounter against South Africa at the Eden Gardens, on November 10 that marked the return of South Africa to international cricket. “There have been so many memories when it comes to Kolkata. The first big moment for me was when we played against South Africa, who were getting back to the International cricket. We had a spectacular match, Donald had a fiery spell up front but we got a partnership going and ended up winning the game. All in all, the experience was overwhelming not just for South Africa but also for me,” said Tendulkar, who shared the Man-of-the-Match award with Allan Donald for his match-winning 73 off 62 balls. India won by three wickets.
And Tendulkar still remembers the reception the teams got at the Dum Dum Airport. “It was incredible, not just inside the stadium but the moment they landed at the airport. On their way to the hotel there were people standing and cheering on both sides of the road. I later spoke to (then captain) Clive Rice who was double my age that time and he still fondly recalled that series,” Tendulkar said.
Well, the Eden Gardens has always showered Tendulkar with love and affection. Incidentally, the Little Master played his 199th Test match on the ground against West Indies before signing off at the Wankhede in Mumbai after his 200th. The romance between Tendulkar and Eden Gardens is indeed part of cricketing history.
(With inputs from PTI)