Twitter erupts after Sachin Tendulkar gets off the mark with a four in Bushfire Bash; five years after his last cricket match

Cricket fans around the world got their appetite whetted to the core when former legends to the tune of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Brian Lara, Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram and a host of other legends came out of retirement to participate in the Bushfire ‘Big Appeal’ charity game- an initiative to generate charity for the recent devastation caused by the Bushfires.

But, the fans got a bonus when Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar too came out retirement to face one over from Australia Women all-rounder Elysse Perry after the latter had requested the former Indian champion for a face-off during the innings break. Tendulkar obliged to the same despite him suffering from a shoulder injury. And, one could see that the Master has still got it when it comes to timing the ball is concerned.

The Aussie all-rounder kicked off the proceedings with a shortish delivery and Tendulkar was quick to rock back before getting into a perfect position for his trademark leg glance. The ball proceeded to beat the short fine leg fielder and sailed past the boundary line.

Sachin Tendulkar turns back the clock with his trademark leg glance

Perry once again got his line wrong on the second ball but Tendulkar couldn’t get the timing he was looking for as he glided the ball through fine leg for a couple. Perry bowled the next delivery on a tad fullish length and this time, Tendulkar could only find the fielder inside the inner-circle.

After bowling the fourth delivery, Perry-  to everyone’s surprise- tossed the ball to Anabelle Sutherland. Sutherland started with an over-pitched delivery which the Master Blaster drove straight into the hands of the cover fielder.

But, then, how can a Tendulkar’s innings finish without his trademark straight drive. Sutherland floated one up right into Sachin’s arc and the right-hander proceeded to dish out a textbook straight drive, presenting the full face of the bat, much like the way he used to do during his celebrated 24-year-old career.

Coming back to the game, Tendulkar was coaching the Ponting XI; a side that eventually clinched the victory by one run. The likes of Ponting, Lara, Akram, Walsh gave us a plethora of unforgettable moments but for Sachin fans, nothing beats the charm of watching the ‘God of Cricket’ turn back by the clock with his nonchalant leg glance and straight drives.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: