We are privileged to be living in the same era as Sachin Tendulkar.
It must have been like watching WG Grace, Victor Trumper, Donald Bradman, Wally Hammond in their prime.
Sunday marked the 20th anniversary for Sachin Tendulkar’s glittering Test career. On November 16 1989, a 16-year-old laaitie took on the fearsome Pakistani quickies Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in the Karachi Test — and he never flinched. Even when he was struck on the nose (these were days before helmets) he did not become gun shy.
He actually made his debut on November 15, but India had won the toss and decided to field first. Pakistan ended up making 409 all out with Imran Khan hitting an unbeaten 109. India used seven bowlers, Tendulkar being the seventh, conceding 10 runs off a single over.
The second day of the Test was not an auspicious one for Tendulkar or India. The team collapsed to 85 for six. Tendulkar came in to bat at No 6, making his entry when Manoj Prabhakar was fourth out. He batted with Mohammed Azharuddin, putting on 32 for the fifth wicket. Tendulkar made only 15, but it was the beginning of some resistance from the Indian middle order and tail. Azharuddin went on to score 35, follwed by 45 from Ravi Shastri, batting at No 7, and half-centuries from Kapil Dev and Kieran More.
India finished with 262, which in the end was enough to draw the Test.
Pakistan scored 305 for five in their second innings, Saleem Malik hitting an unbeaten 102.
India went in to bat and showed greater resolve, Sanjay Manjrekar scoring an undefeated 113. At 303 for three, Tendulkar was not required to bat again. But more would be heard of the teenager.

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