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Before the 2003 World Cup match, Sachin Tendulkar battled an upset stomach, felt weak, struggled to run and feared soiling his pants, forcing him to rush to the dressing room
Sachin Tendulkar scored 673 runs in 11 matches in the 2003 World Cup with an average of 61.18. (News18 Hindi)
Sachin Tendulkar, revered as one of the greatest cricketers in the world, demonstrated unparalleled dedication to the sport throughout his career. His commitment was evident when he chose to play in the World Cup despite the passing of his father. However, another lesser-known anecdote from his autobiography, ‘Playing It My Way‘, reveals the extent of his determination.
During the 2003 ICC World Cup, in a match against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg, Tendulkar batted for 160 minutes with tissue paper in his underwear. The Master Blaster had fallen ill prior to the game, suffering from an upset stomach that left him weak and struggling to run. Concerned that he might soil his pants due to his condition, Tendulkar had to frequently return to the dressing room during drink breaks.
Reflecting on this incident, he mentioned, “I added a spoonful of salt to my energy drinks, thinking it would aid in recovery, but it upset my stomach. The discomfort was such that I had to bat with tissue paper in my underwear. I also returned to the dressing room during a break because of the discomfort on the field.”
Virender Sehwag, who opened the innings with Tendulkar, corroborated this account during a show. Despite his condition, Tendulkar played a crucial innings, scoring 97 runs off 120 balls, significantly contributing to India’s 183-run victory. Former bowler Javagal Srinath was named Man of the Match for his exceptional bowling, taking 4 wickets for 35 runs in 9 overs.
Tendulkar’s performance in the 2003 World Cup was remarkable, as he scored 673 runs in 11 matches with an average of 61.18, including one century and six half-centuries. His efforts led India to the final, held on 23 March 2003 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Unfortunately, India lost to Australia in the final, with Australia posting a formidable score of 359/2, thanks to Ricky Ponting’s 140-run innings. Chasing the target, India was bowled out for 234 in 39.2 overs, with Glenn McGrath dismantling India’s batting line-up. Australia won by 125 runs, securing the trophy.
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