‘I ended up shouting at Laxman’ – Sachin Tendulkar narrates an incident from the ‘desert storm’ match when emotions got the better of him

On April 22, 1998, Sachin Tendulkar notched 143 runs off 131 balls against Australia at Sharjah in the Coca Cola Cup. To his dismay, despite the blinder, India lost the match to the Aussies. The contest is known for the ‘desert storm’ when the Australian fielders and Indian batsmen rushed inside the dressing room. It remains to be one of the greatest knocks to have ever played in a losing cause.

Reminiscing the game, Sachin narrated an incident when he lost his cool at a young VVS Laxman. The Master Blaster revealed how the desperation to win the encounter got the better of him. Later, Sachin said that due to the unruly behaviour, he also got a scolding from his brother after he reached home.

I received a scolding from my brother: Sachin Tendulkar

“I remember that a couple of times by emotions came out and I ended up shouting at Laxman ‘Run two, it’s my call why aren’t you running?” Sachin was quoted as saying on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.

“I received a scolding from my brother as soon as I reached home. He told me ‘these sorts of things shouldn’t happen in the ground. He’s your teammate, he’s also playing for the team. It’s not your match alone; he’s also playing with you. I got a bit of a hiding at home,” Sachin stated.

“In my mind, I always wanted to win that game and qualify to the finals as a victorious team because I knew it might play a mental role. There is difference if you just qualify and when you qualify by beating them.”

After the desert storm, India’s target was revised from 285 to 276 with four overs less. Sachin and Laxman cobbled together a partnership of 104 runs for the fifth wicket before the former’s dismissal. The Men in Blue were defeated by 26 runs with Laxman staying unbeaten on 23 off 34. India lost, but managed to qualify for the finals on the basis of net run rate.

“So there the mind games start and obviously my first attempt was to win that game and if and when it was not possible then the second thought was always to qualify and try and beat then in the finals but that was the whole idea,” Sachin concluded. In the final, Tendulkar smashed another ton against Australia, but this time around, his knock didn’t go in vain.