In the final, Sachin failed and India lost to Australia!
April 1998: India-Australia-New Zealand Coca-Cola Cup Triangular ODIs in Sharjah
Arguably the most glittering chapter in SRT’s famed career was written in the second half of April 1998, when he almost single-handedly brought home the Coca-Cola Cup. The tournament was played between India, Australia and New Zealand in Sharjah.
Sachin scored 40 and 38 against New Zealand, but reserved his special batsmanship for Australia, scoring 80, 143 and 134 against the top team.
The dazzling 143 he scored on the night of a Sharjah- sand storm, when India was struggling to make the final on run-rate, is widely considered as one his most celebrated innings, Cricket and to top this ‘Desert Storm’, he scored an equally brilliant 134 in the finals to clinch the trophy on his twenty-fifth birthday!
Watch Sachin’s memorable cricketing exploits from 1998!
May 1998: India-Bangladesh-Kenya Pepsi Cup Triangular ODIs in India
In the second half of May, India played a short Pepsi Cup ODI Triangular with Bangladesh and Kenya. A relatively easy assignment turned tricky for India as the minnows Kenya beat them in the league match! In the final, playing against the same team, Sachin Tendulkar restored order with an unbeaten 100 to clinch the trophy.
June-July 1998: India-Sri Lanka-New Zealand Singer-Akai-Nidhas Triangular in Sri Lanka
In the late July and early August of 1998, India toured Sri Lanka to play in the Singer-Akai-Nidhas Triangular, where the third team was New Zealand.
Sachin began the tournament with two half-centuries- 65 against Sri Lanka and 53 against New Zealand, but again, his best was reserved for the final. His marvelous 128, and his opening partnership of 252 with Saurav Ganguly, made sure that India won the closely fought final against Sri Lanka to grab yet another trophy.
18 July 1998-Princess of Wales Memorial Match- Rest of the World versus MCC in England
Although unofficial, the Princess of Wales (Lady Diana) Memorial match organized by the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) was played with total seriousness accorded to any international fixture. Played between MCC and Rest of the World invitational elevens comprising of the world’s top players, this match was watched by a packed Lord’s audience, and millions on television.