A bit More coincidence

As Sachin Tendulkar faltered at the moment of glory at Mohali, there was one man who could not help but recall a similar monumental miss 15 years back. Today Kiran More in the stands saw Tendulkar missing the chance of becoming the highest century-maker in Tests, while in 1990 the former Test wicketkeeper was at the non-striker8217;s end when the master blaster missed becoming the youngest Test centurion.

At Napier, Tendulkar had sticthed a memorable 128-run association with Kiran More for the seventh wicket. But the little master fell 12 runs short of what would have been history. After Tendulkar fell in the nervous nineties today, More recalling the Napier incident said: 8216;8216;Then he was a talent waiting to explode. He had just made the debut tour to Pakistan. But he had batted fluently and worked very hard. I remember he returned to the pavilion, sat and cried.8217;8217;

Talking on the Mohali incident, he said: 8216;8216;Today he was strained. Playing after a month and a half break, Sachin wanted to spend more time at the wicket. I don8217;t know what was his gameplan. He just had one Duleep Trophy game in between and the innings here was a gem, earned out of sheer hard work again.8217;8217;

Then, it had taken a few months before Tendulkar got the maiden ton 119 not out against England at Old Trafford in 1990. 8216;8216;But now,8217;8217; said More, 8216;8216;it can come any innings during this tour.8217;8217;

Incidentally, coach John Wright too was privy to both the incidents. The New Zealander was the one who took the catch to dismiss Tendulkar at Napier and, today, he was at the dressing room.