Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly formed one of the most successful and iconic opening partnerships in ODI cricket history. Their chemistry at the top of the order was remarkable, and they set numerous records together during their playing days for India.
Tendulkar and Ganguly were effective in both home and away conditions, often providing solid starts for India across different formats and tournaments.
Tendulkar and Ganguly shared 26 century partnerships, the most by any pair in ODIs, a record that still stands.
Not just that, Tendulkar and Ganguly hold the record for the most runs by a pair in ODI cricket. Together, they scored 8,227 runs in 176 innings, at an average of 47.55.
But it was rare that both Tendulkar and Ganguly scored hundreds in the same ODI.
There was one such instance that both Tendulkar and Ganguly scored hundreds in the same ODI and India still lost the match.
On India’s tour to South Africa in 2001, in the first ODI of the series at Johannesburg on October 5, 2001, Tendulkar and Ganguly scored hundreds but India still lost.
Tendulkar and Ganguly put up a 193-run opening stand, reaching their 50-run stand off 64 balls and their 100-run stand off 127 balls.
Indian captain Ganguly hit 5 sixes and 14 fours in his 126-ball 127 while notched up his 30th ODI hundred to power India to 279/5.
But South Africa, riding on Gary Kirsten’s unbeaten 133, overhauled the target in 48.2 overs to win the match by 6 wickets.
Tendulkar’s technical brilliance and flair meshed well with Ganguly’s aggression, especially against spin and in off-side play.
Tendulkar and Ganguly’s understanding and communication while running between the wickets made them a formidable pair.
Tendulkar and Ganguly’s partnership was not just about statistics but also about the trust they had in each other, which helped India dominate world cricket for over a decade.
