Sachin’s 35th: The wait’s over, the weight is off

THE STORY: At 16:44:19 on a Saturday afternoon in New Delhi, Sachin Tendulkar finally got the monkey off his back and Century No 35 under his belt. It was yet another milestone on an amazing journey 16 years and counting, though it took some time coming. What Sachin would be happy about is that this time his century resulted in an India win, something that hasn’t always been the case. This one obviously mattered to him, because he broke practice and spoke about it (and, even more unusual, allowed the cameras into his house).

BEFORE: The handicap of expectation, a very painful elbow, the weight of waiting, and a string of low scores. Yet you sensed it was coming, especially when you saw sachin at nets in Delhi knocking around with two bats

AFTER: The immediate fallout: The world celebrates. Saturation coverage on primetime TV and the print media; a 35-foot long bat in the sand on the beach at Puri; a message from the House of Commons. Next, attention will turn to Lara’s Test aggregate, a triple ton, a one-day double century…

Sachin Tendulkar Cricketer 16 Years of an amazing journey and still counting

SURROUND SOUND: While India was immersed in Sachin-frenzy, New Zealand pulled off one-day cricket’s highest successful run-chase to beat Australia — in the 100th match between the two — and snapped an eight-game losing streak to its trans-Tasman rivals in the process. Set 332 to win, the Kiwis reached the target in 49 overs