5 Crucial Matches Where Sachin Tendulkar Bagged A Duck

Sachin Tendulkar is considered the 'God of Cricket' [X]Sachin Tendulkar is considered the 'God of Cricket' [X]

Sachin Tendulkar is more than just a name in Indian cricket. He is considered the 'God of Cricket' in the sports fanatic nation. 

From a promising youngster in the late 80's to the biggest legend to have ever graced the game, Tendulkar's 24-year journey has attained heights that can probably never be overshadowed.

However, every cricketer goes through highs and lows, and even the 'God of Cricket' was no exception. 

While, Sachin carried the Indian batting alone over an extended period of time, there have been times when he was not at his best. Here are five important matches, where the Greatest Batter ever scored ducks.


5. 0 (1)  vs South Africa, 3rd Test at Port Elizabeth, 1992

Sachin Tendulkar during a Test match in 1992 [X]Sachin Tendulkar during a Test match in 1992 [X]

India were facing the South African team in their first series post apartheid. The first two matches of this series were drawn and everything hinged in the final match of the series at St. George's Park in Port Elizabeth. 

India batted first in the game and were able to post only 212 before being bundled out. Sachin scored 6 off 17 in the innings. In reply to India's moderate total, South Africa scored 275 led by Hansie Cronje's outstanding 135 runs and took a lead of 63 runs. 

In the second innings, India were struggling at 10/2 when Sachin Tendulkar came out to bat. India might have expected their newest prodigy to play an outstanding knock. However, Sachin was dismissed off the first ball by Brett Schultz. 

This failure of the man at number four resulted in a collapse which got life because of Kapil Dev's 129 off 180 and India were able to post 215/10.

South Africa had a target of 153, which they chased down easily losing only a single wicket. 


4. 0 (1) vs Pakistan, 1st Match of Asian Test Championship at Eden Gardens, 1999

Shoaib Akhtar during the 1999 Eden Test [X]Shoaib Akhtar during the 1999 Eden Test [X]

This was the first match of the Asian Test Championship that was played in 1999. India were batting second in this game at the Eden Gardens. 

The Indian bowlers put in a brilliant effort in the first innings of the match and bundled out Pakistan for 185 runs. 

India would have hoped to put in an authoritative effort in the first innings and take a big lead to take the game away from Pakistan and Sachin Tendulkar would have been an important part of this plan. However, a young and spirited Shoaib Akhtar stunned the home crowd when he dismissed Sachin for a golden duck with a dream delivery.

India managed a lead of below 40 runs in the first innings. Pakistan went onto scored 316 runs in their second innings and give a India a target of 279. 

Tendulkar once again failed to deliver in the second innings as he scored 9 off 13 and India were bundled out for 232 as they lost the match by 46 runs. 


3. 0 (2) vs West Indies, 3rd Test at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in 2002

India were coming into this game with a 1-0 lead in the series after having the first match. In this match, they batted first and were in a spot of bother when Tendulkar walked in at 26/2. 

A lot depended on how the great man would pace his knock at this stage. However, he got out off the second delivery he faced and this triggered a collapse that resulted in India being bundled out for just 102 runs in their first innings. 

Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored centuries in West Indies' first innings and took their total to 394 runs, giving them a lead of 292 runs. 

This meant that India were batted out of the match. The visitors managed 296 runs in their second innings, which meant that West Indies had to chase down just five in the last innings to win the game. They did it comfortably in just 1.2 overs with all of their wickets intact. 

Later the home team went onto win the series by a 2-1 margin.


2.  0 (5) vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI at Peshawar in 2004

Sachin Tendulkar during the 2004 ODI series [X]Sachin Tendulkar during the 2004 ODI series [X]

The series was tied before this match at 1-1. It was important game as it would have given the winning team the momentum to carry ahead in the series. 

India batted first in the match and the expectation was that the Sachin-Sehwag duo will gave them a good start in this crucial game. However, Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for 0 off 5 by Shabbir Ahmed and India were put in early trouble. 

Yuvraj Singh played a good knock of 65 from 76 and India managed to post 244/9 at the end of their 50 overs. 

Pakistan chased down the target in 47.2 overs losing six wickets. Yasir Hameed was the star of the batting for the home team. This gave Pakistan a 2-1 lead in the series. 

However, India won the last two matches of the series and managed to win it by a 3-2 margin. 


1. 0 (3) vs Sri Lanka at Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad in  2007 ODI World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar after being dismissed during the 2007 World Cup vs SL [X]Sachin Tendulkar after being dismissed during the 2007 World Cup vs SL [X]

India suffered a shock defeat in their first group stage match of the 2007 ODI World Cup against Bangladesh. However, after that match they made a strong comeback against Bermuda and things boiled down to a stage where India needed to win their last match against Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka posted 254/6 in their 50 overs while batting first in the game. After a weak start to the chase, India would have hoped that Sachin Tendulkar, who was batting at number four will give them the solidarity in the effort. 

However, Dilhara Fernando accounted for the prized wicket of the man when his innings was just three balls old. India in turn failed to show any resilience and were bundled out for 185 as they lost the game by 69 runs. 

This defeat meant that India had to walk out from the group stage of the World Cup which resulted in nation wide disappointment and frustration.