Even as India's billion-plus population will be celebrating their favourite son, Sachin Tendulkar's 50th Test century, the man himself will be hurting, believes, Kapil Dev, India's only World Cup-winning captain.
Even as India's billion-plus population will be celebrating their favourite son, Sachin Tendulkar's 50th Test century, the man himself will be hurting, believes, Kapil Dev, India's only World Cup-winning captain.
"A win is a win and there's nothing like contributing to a Test victory with a century. But Sachin will definitely be disappointed if India lose the Test today despite him having played so well," Kapil told MiD DAY yesterday.
India are staring at defeat despite Sachin's heroics, having just two wickets in hand and needing another 30 runs to make SA bat again on the final day.
The 51-year-old is obviously speaking through experience. In Kapil's only Test tour to South Africa (1992-93), he was in a similar situation, trying to save the third Test in Port Elizabeth almost single-handedly. In the second innings, Kapil scored a fighting 125 but sadly no other Indian batsman supported him (the second highest Indian batsman's score in the innings was just 17) as a result of which India were bowled out for 152. The hosts chased it losing just one wicket.u00a0u00a0
"It really hurts when you bat out of your skin, like how Sachin has done here, but still lose a Test. I know because I've been through it. Achieving his 50th Test ton is a splendid individual milestone, but even as Sachin steps up to cut that cake, he'll feel a tad sad if he is unable to save the Test. It's like winning the battle but losing the war. But if India can save this Test, it will be the sweetest cherry on top of the cake for Sachin," said Kapil.
