The masterful 97 takes India to The Indian Oil Championship, but this bitter 90s follows Sachin like
a devil. The jinx that saw him being dismissed in the 90s, counted for the seventh(6 ODIs and 1 Test) time this year and the second time in the series. Sachin the record maker even makes the glory in the fall. He has the highest number of 90s in ODI being dismissed in 16 matches, well ahead of Nathan Astle, Aravinda de Silva and Grant Flower with 9 each.
A blessing in disguise, these 90s put him on the top of highest number of 50s. He has the most ODI 50s (86), ahead of Inzamam-ul-Haq (83) and Rahul Dravid (81). When he played his 404 ODI (the highest ODI ever played), it was marked by yet another bitter 90. Umar Gul sent him back at 99.
Well, 90s are nervous and tensed. It was sixth time in his last 19 outings that he fell in the 90’s and on three occasions, he remained short of just one run. He is haunted. They call it the Nervous Nineties Syndrome. Alex Bannerman the Australian striker was the first man to be dismissed in the 90s. He was out for 94 against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He seemed to lose his nerve when in sight of his hundred. It’s quite normal and pretty similar to a final exam. Sachin falls at this pressure. For a batsman a hundred is a land mark, and the most coveted individual achievement. The heart can beat faster then ever. Most the captains makes use this situation. They make some immediate changes in the field and defend the attacks from the possible shots. They get a bowler who the batsman fears a bit.
I call them bitter 90s. Because, they have lost at the prime time. 90 runs stands lesser important than the 10 runs yet to come. And when the batman fall in between, it leaves a bitter feeling. The batsman is more disappointed. They are the bitter 90s
Sachin at 90s
| Score | Series | Against | Season |
| 90 | World Cup | Aus | 1995/96 |
| 91 | Akai-Singer Trophy | Eng | 1997/98 |
| 93 | Carlton & United Series | Pak | 1999/00 |
| 93 | SA in Ind ODI Series | SA | 1999/00 |
| 93 | Asia Cup | SL | 2000 |
| 93 | SL in Ind ODI Series | SL | 2005/06 |
| 93 | Future Cup | SA | 2007 |
| 94 | Natwest | Eng | 2007 |
| 95 | Silver Jubilee Independence Cup | Pak | 1997/98 |
| 95 | Ind in Pak ODI Series | Pak | 2005/06 |
| 97 | World Cup | SA | 2002/03 |
| 97 | Indian Oil Cup | Pak | 2007/08 |
| 98 | World Cup | Pak | 2002/03 |
| 99 | Future Cup | SA | 2007 |
| 99 | Natwest | Eng | 2007 |
| 99 | Indian Oil Cup | Pak | 2007/08 |
Copyright ©2007 Arun Chullikkal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Nice Article. 🙂
Sachin is a great batsman. But his mental stress tolerance is not that great. I believe that’s the reason why he is not able to play a match winning innings in tests when the team is under extreme pressure.