The venue for Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th and last Test has been decided and it’s not MA Chadambaram stadium in Chennai or even the M Chinnawamy stadium in Bangalore that has been accorded the honour.
Instead, Tendulkar’s home ground of Wankhede has been selected as per the master batsman’s wishes. (See: Photo Feature)
Now, of course, Tendulkar and Wankhede stadium go back a long way. But are they a good match? We take a look at every match that Tendulkar has ever played at the Wankhede stadium.
He played his first Ranji Trophy match at the venue on 10 December, 1988 against Gujarat — and as had become the norm, he started off with a century… exactly 100 not out.
The second match was against Uttar Pradesh in 1988-98 (the Ranji quarters) — the first innings saw Mumbai collapse to 234 after a 145-run opening partnership. Tendulkar made just 4 and then in the second innings, rebounded to score 75.
The Ranji semi-final followed soon in March 1989 and Tendulkar top-scored for with 78 but Delhi won on the basis of a first innings lead.
It wasn’t until 1991 that he returned to the venue — once again for the Ranji semi-finals — this time against Hyderabad.
Sanjay Manjrekar led the way with a massive 377, Dilip Vengsarkar and Vinod Kambli got centuries too while Tendulkar chipped in with another 70. Mumbai put on 855 and Hyderabad replied with 498. Tendulkar got another chance to bat and scored 80 as Kambli and Chandrakant Pandit helped themselves to centuries.
Next up was the epic Ranji final against Haryana in 1991. By the end of it, Dilip Vengsarkar was in tears as Haryana won by 2 runs. Tendulkar’s contribution was 47 and 96 (off just 75 balls) — in a losing cause. He learnt his lessons of defeat early. He shared a stand of 134 for the fourth wicket with Dilip Vengsarkar in the second innings. Such was his counter-attacking strokeplay in the second innings that as word spread, 18,000 fans filled the stands.
His next date with Wankhede was in 1994/95 — matches against Gujarat (30), Tamil Nadu (166 in a total of 330), Uttar Pradesh (109), Punjab — final (140 and 139).
It wasn’t until 1997/1998 that he got another chance to play domestic cricket at the Wankhede. Matches against Railways (95), Orissa (135). The year after he played a match against Gujarat (35).
In 1999-00, he was back again for the semi-final against Tamil Nadu (233 and 13 not out) and the final against Hyderabad (53 and 128). It was almost too easy for him now. The Ranji Trophy was a level of competition where he seemed to be able to score a century almost at will.
In 2006-07, Tendulkar came back to help the Mumbai team in the Elite League final against Bengal (105 and 43). After 2007, it was a five-year wait before he played for Mumbai at the Wankhede again. It was against the Railways and Tendulkar helped himself to 137 off 136 balls in just 175 minutes.
After that Tendulkar played three matches for Mumbai in the 2012-13 Ranji season — Baroda (108), Services (56), Saurashtra (22).
Expect him to play another two matches this season before the finale against West Indies — one in Delhi and another against Haryana at home.
His overall Ranji record at the venue is almost Bradmanesque: 19 matches, 2353 runs, HI of 233*, average of 98.04 with 11 centuries and 8 fifties.
He played his first Irani Trophy match at the Wankhede stadium in 1989-90 — playing for Rest of India, he had scores of 39 and 103.
Back again in 1995-96 — this time representing Bombay (13). His team won the match by 9 wickets.
Last Irani Trophy game at Wankhede was in 2013 — a brilliant unbeaten 140 gave us hope that he was getting back to his best.
Irani Trophy record at Wankhede: 3 matches, 295 runs, HI of 140*, AVG of 147.50 with 2 centuries.
Some might have said that perhaps he should have played his last match at Chennai given his record there. In 10 matches at Chepauk, Tendulkar has scored 970 runs at an average of 88.18 — the most at an Indian venue. Even Bangalore has been a favoured venue — 9 matches, 869 runs, HI of 214 and an average of 62.07.
But Wankhede it is — because playing the last match of your career at your home ground is special and just creates such an emotional atmosphere.
The first match at Wankhede was way back in February 1993 against England. This was the match when Vinod Kambli got 224 and Tendulkar chipped in with 78 in 213 balls. India won by an innings and 15 runs.
The next match was in 1994-95 against the West Indies — 34 and 85 (top score for India). India won the match by 96 runs.
Against Sri Lanka in 1997-98, Tendulkar got his only century (148) at the Wankhede in a drawn match.
he next match was against South Africa in 1999-00. This was around the time when India’s dependence on Tendulkar was complete. In the first innings, Tendulkar made 97 out of the India’s team’s total of 225 in the first innings. In the second innings, Tendulkar made just 8 as India collapsed to 113 all out. South Africa won by 4 wickets.
Next up were the all conquering Aussies in 2000-01. Tendulkar made 76 as India were bowled out for 176 in the first innings. India even had Australia on the mat at 5-99, but then Matthew Mayden and Adam Gilchrist launched a blistering counter-attack that left India all but dead. In the second innings, Tendulkar top-scored once again with 65 as India collapsed to 219 all out. Australia won the match by 10 wickets.
In 2002, the West Indies came visiting again. India won by an innings and 112 runs as Dravid and Sehwag slammed centuries in the first innings to set things up. Tendulkar scored 35.
Australia made their way to Mumbai again in 2004-05 and this time a death trap was prepared for them. India won by 13 runs on a vicious turner. Dravid top-scored with 31 out of India total of 104. Australia responded with 203 runs. In reply, VVS Laxman’s 69 and Sachin Tendulkar’s 55 helped get to 205 in the second innings before Harbhajan Singh (5-29) and Murali Kartik (3-32) turned things around to bowl India to a controversial win.
England were in complete attendance in 2006 and India were not, as the visitors won by 212 runs. Tendulkar only had scores of 1 and 34 in the defeat.
West Indies were back in 2011-12 and the match ended in a draw. Tendulkar made 94 and 3 in the match.
The last time Tendulkar played at this ground was in 2012-13 against England. Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar worked their magic to lead the visitors to 10 wicket win. Tendulkar made 8 in both the innings.
His overall record at the Wankhede: 10 matches, 847 runs, HI of 148, AVG of 47.05, Just one century and three fifties.
He has also played one other first-class match at the venue and he made 39 runs in that.
His overall first class record at the Wankhede is: 33 mts, 51 innings, 6 NO, 3534 runs, HI 233*, Avg 78.53, 14 100s, 15 50s.
Also See: Sachin Farewell Venue Jargon Photo Feature
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