The Chennai Test of 1999 made for a great opening act: a contest showing perfectly what India vs Pakistan historic rivalry is all about. Throw-in the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and both teams were at their very best- a nonstop affair with close-of-cheek cheering. Pakistan’s pace dominated before a capacity crowd at Chepauk led by the attack of Saqlain Mushtaq.
While Tendulkar was in prime form with the bat, having scored 136 runs in the second innings, his team ended up losing by 12 runs. However, this heartbreaking defeat did not stop Tendulkar from being awarded the Player of the Match.
Pakistan chose to bat first after winning the toss in the opening of the series. Given Anil Kumble’s six-wicket haul, Pakistan were not allowed to build unnecessary momentum, as they crawled to 238. Half-centuries from Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly helped the hosts respond with a score of 254, giving them a 16-run lead.
In the second innings, the Indian attack had no answers to Shahid Afridi’s 141 runs. Hitting 21 boundaries and three sixes, the legendary all-rounder propelled Pakistan to a total of 286 runs. India required 271 runs to win in the final innings of play in Chennai, but what then unfolded on that fateful day became synonymous with the epic India-Pakistan rivalry.
After becoming 50/3 in 28 overs, India’s misery grew with the quick dismissals of Sadagoppan Ramesh and VVS Laxman within the first six overs. Then Dravid followed them by falling victim to Waqar for a mere 10 runs.
Reading the situation very well, Sachin Tendulkar came to the fore for the hosts with a masterly century. He formed a formidable partnership with Nayan Mongia in putting India back in the game. Tendulkar played 273 deliveries and added 136 runs, which included 4 fours.
Saqlain Mushtaq eventually dismissed Sachin Tendulkar with the second to last ball of the 92nd over. With the wicket of the Master Blaster, India lost the full plot. Their last other wickets went in a heap, with Mushtaq bagging five in total. The Pakistan spinner accounted for the wickets of Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, Sunil Joshi and Javagal Srinath to gift the visitors a slice of history in Chennai.
All that typically conjures the myriad of emotions befitting an epic battle unfolded in the Chennai Test of 1999. The match kept its audiences on the edge of their seats-intriguing drama, off-field conflict, individual brilliance, and team spirit sum up this match. India had come back stronger in the second Test, went on to win by 212 runs, thus leveling the series 1-1.
