Sachin-Sehwag blitz\, Chanderpaulโ€™s stance\, Zakโ€™s yorker: How the 90โ€™s came back with Road Safety Series

Sachin-Sehwag blitz, Chanderpaul’s stance, Zak’s yorker: How the 90’s came back with Road Safety Series

Sachin Tendulkar showed his class, Virender Sehwag opened his account with a boundary, Zaheer Khan delivered a fiery yorker while Yuvraj Singh batted with elegance in the first match of Road Safety World Series.

Written by Rahul Sadhu | Updated: March 9, 2020 10:31:17 am
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Sachin Tendulkar showed his class, Virender Sehwag opened his account with a boundary, Zaheer Khan delivered a fiery yorker while Yuvraj Singh batted briefly but effortlessly. No, this isn’t a script from an India match from the bygone era but moments from the inaugural match of Road Safety World Series between India Legends and West Indies Legends at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.

Nostalgia was in abundance at the iconic stadium as the two captains, Tendulkar, and Brian Lara walked out in retro blazers for the toss. Tendulkar decided to bowl first and the sight of Shivnarine Chanderpaul with his same old batting stance once again sent fans on time travel.

The 45-year-old showed no signs of rustiness and top-scored for the Windies with a fluent 61 off 41 balls which included six boundaries and two maximums. Courtesy of his knock, West Indies posted a competitive 150/8 in their 20 overs. Chanderpaul scored a well made 50 of just 33 balls at a strike rate of 150. He ran 20 runs in 1s and 2s.

For India, Zaheer Khan was the star on the field with a stunning catch to get rid of Ricardo Powell and a fiery yorker which castled Ridley Jacobs.

Coming out to bat amidst massive roars the famed former Indian opening pair of Tendulkar and Sehwag cut loose, together destroying the opponent and almost sealing the game for their side.

The sight of Sehwag smashing Pedro Collins for a first-ball four sent fans into wild celebrations. Unperturbed by the occasion the right-hander was heard humming a tune just like it used to be in the heydays.

While Sachin scored a masterful 36 off 29 ( seven fours), Sehwag bludgeoned his way to a brisk fifty.

The Delhi Dasher finished it off in style with a boundary over extra cover to seal the deal. While he remained unbeaten on 74 off 57 balls, for India legends, it was a comprehensive seven-wicket win.

However, more than the result, this match will be best remembered for its sheer moments of nostalgia. For example, ‘Sachin and Sehwag’ walking together for the first time since the 2011 World Cup at Wankhede.

Or Tendulkar going berserk and smashing Tino Best for three consecutive boundaries and Wankhede erupting in chants of “Sachin… Sachin!”

Some of the shots that Tendulkar played also made it seem like he was never out of touch from the game. “Initially he said we won’t take risky singles but he then tapped the ball around for quick singles; that’s Sachin for you,” Sehwag said after the match. “He played some magnificent attacking shots, it doesn’t feel like he hasn’t been playing for so many years,” he added.

The master blaster’s hits were a testimony to Sehwag’s words.

Towards the end, even Yuvraj Singh had joined the party with a six back past the bowler for a half-a-dozen.

Speaking after the match an overjoyed Tendulkar said: “It’s fantastic to see a full house. It’s special to be back here after 2013. The atmosphere was buzzing througout the game. We have to enjoy ourselves, give our best. I played one over in Australia, but I had to borrow everything while playing there.”

“I am so happy this tournament is happening, it’s all about awareness. You can’t things for granted while driving, you need to be aware and follow the rules. Zak couldn’t hear me at all, but that was a magnificent catch by him. We need to celebrate tonight just because of that catch. Through this medium, sport has a power to bring everyone together. Although India is not playing, the crowd should come out and support us,” he added.

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