There are some memories that grow sharper with the passage of time. Like Sachin Tendulkar's twin assaults on Australia in Sharjah in April 1998. Or, indeed, like the Javagal Srinath-Anil Kumble show, also against the Aussies, at the Chinnaswamy stadium nearly eleven years back.
On Deepavali day — October 21, 1996 — the two hometown heroes joined hands to orchestrate an unforgettabe two-wicket victory over Mark Taylor's men in the 100th one-day international of that calendar year. It was a game that had everything.
Taylor brought up his maiden limited-overs hundred in his 98th game, current bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad took three for 37 in the Aussies' modest 215 for seven, skipper Tendulkar spearheaded India's chase with a sparkling 88, and the game was stopped for 20 minutes following crowd trouble sparked by Mohammad Azharuddin's dismissal.
Despite the little man's brilliance, India stared defeat in the face when he was eighth man out, with the total reading 164. Then, it was fairytale time as the two local lads sent the massive holiday crowd — including their cheering, high-fiving mothers — into delirium with their heroics.
"It was one of those days," Kumble told Deccan Herald as he shared his own memories of his 52-run undefeated association with good friend Srinath. "I have always carried a positive outlook with me to the middle. Whether we needed three runs or 30 runs or 100 runs to win, I always thought we could do it, and so did Sri.
"We just took it ball by ball. Sri was striking the ball well, finding the boundaries and I was picking up the ones and twos. There were a few edges, there were some good cricketing shots. It really was just one of those days when everything went out way," added Kumble.
To do it at home, in front of family and friends, and thousands of adoring fans -- what did that mean? "Oh, it was special!" he said. "I am sure it helped that we were playing at the Chinnaswamy stadium, where both Sri and I had played so much of our cricket for Karnataka. We had an idea how the pitch played, we knew what to expect at the ground."
Srinath made 30 not out off 23 balls with two fours and a six, Kumble's contribution was an equally crucial unbeaten 16 (19b, 1x4). What was the feeling like, winning a game off the bat? "Very satisfying," replied India's highest wicket-taker, and its biggest match-winner to date.
"People were beginning to leave the ground at that point, believing the game was over. Slowly, Sri and I made sure they stayed put at the ground. In the end, we won with an over to spare!"
Tendulkar was named the man of the match, but that was almost incidental. It was the second of three wins for India against Australia in four games at this venue, but it is to date the most celebrated and well remembered triumph.
Of the current lot, only Brad Hogg of all the Aussies here played that game, while Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, apart from Tendulkar, were part of the playing eleven for India. Bitter-sweet memories, then?
Brief scores: Australia: 215/7 in 50 overs (Mark Taylor 105, Steve Waugh 41, Michael Bevan 36; Venkatesh Prasad 3-37, Anil Kumble 2-40) lt to India: 216/8 in 48.5 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 88, Ajay Jadeja 27, Javagal Srinath 30 n.o., Anil Kumbe 16 n.o.; Damien Fleming 2-39, Steve Waugh 2-52).
