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When McGrath's Unplayable Opening Spell Accounted For Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman 

image-lseb3slpGlenn McGrath bowled 10 overs for 4/8 versus India [screengrab]

Celebrating his 54th birthday on Friday (February 9), Australia's legendary fast-bowler Glenn McGrath is hailed as arguably the greatest ever pacer to have played international cricket. Renowned for his unrelenting control and sustained threat against the batter, the all-conquering Aussie seamer boasts of an astonishing record in Tests and ODIs. 

McGrath dominated every opposition that came his way and particularly enjoyed his time out against India even when the Men in Blue possessed a set of esteemed and celebrated batters playing together for the side. He took his 51 Test wickets at just 18.64 and 34 ODI scalps at only 26.76 runs apiece versus the Indians.

One of the legend's finest spells in One-Day Internationals came versus India as he ran through a special top-order with his tremendous opening burst during the SCG ODI of the 1999-2000 triangular played in Australia, also featuring Pakistan. 

When McGrath Ran Through India's Special Top-Order 

In an exhibition of outstanding seam bowling, McGrath threatened both edges and accounted for the esteemed troika of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman during his new-ball spell. His first 7 overs featured three maidens and went for only five runs for the wickets of three of India's finest-ever players.

A viral throwback clip of this exceptional burst was shared by cricket.com.au and is often revisited when the cricketing discussions revolve around the great bowler affectionally nicknamed 'Pigeon'. 

Even when McGrath returned to try and fasten the Indian downfall with the old ball, he conceded just three runs off his last three overs and provided Australia another breakthrough. 

The disastrous trip continued for the Indians as McGrath's 10-4-8-4 triggered a collapse for 100 all out in yet another painstaking defeat for the tourists. India lost all three Tests played against Australia earlier in the 1999-2000 summer and then won just one of their eight tri-series ODIs.