4th July – On this day: A triple treat from Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar scored 100 centuries in international cricket and three of them were scored on 4th July. It is a special day for all the Sachin fans. While Tendulkar scored two of these centuries in ODIs, one was in a Test match against England. Interestingly, all three hundreds were scored in away conditions. Here is a brief account of all three centuries scored on this special day.
4th July 1996 – 177 vs England
Tendulkar ended a successful 1996 tour to England with a fabulous Test century in the third Test. In Nottingham, he and Sourav Ganguly, who was playing his second Test, added 255 runs for the 2nd wicket. Tendulkar’s knock included 26 fours. He missed out on another ton in the second innings as he walked back for a score of 74. The match ended in a draw.
4th July 2001 – 122* vs West Indies
The 2001 Coca-Cola Cup pitted India in a triangular series in Zimbabwe against the hosts and the West Indies. In the 6th match of the series, Tendulkar helped India register a 6-wicket victory against West Indies. Chasing 230 to win, Tendulkar and Ganguly added 133 for the first wicket. Tendulkar remained unbeaten and completed the chase for India.
4th July 2002 – 105* vs England
Another century in England for Sachin Tendulkar, this time in an ODI. This was one of the matches in the famous 2002 NatWest series which India went on to win. Batting first, India were 48/2 when the legend walked out. He (105*) and Rahul Dravid (82) rescued the team as India 285/4 in their 50 overs. However, rain ensured that the match was washed out.
